How to Upgrade Magento 1 to Magento 2: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are still using Magento 1 for your online store, you may face some serious risks and challenges, such as:

• Security vulnerabilities and cyberattacks

• Performance issues and slow loading speed

• Compatibility problems with third-party extensions and integrations

• Limited functionality and outdated design

• Loss of customers and revenue

To avoid these problems and keep your store up-to-date, secure, and competitive, you need to upgrade from Magento 1 to Magento 2 as soon as possible. Magento 2 is the latest version of the platform that offers many improvements and benefits over Magento 1, such as:

• Enhanced security and performance

• Modern and responsive themes

• Streamlined and user-friendly checkout

• Advanced SEO and marketing features

• Support for progressive web apps (PWA)

• Easy customization and scalability

However, upgrading from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is not a simple task. It requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. You need to migrate your data, extensions, themes, customizations, and configurations from Magento 1 to Magento 2 without losing any information or functionality. You also need to test your new store thoroughly before launching it on a live server.

To help you with this process, we have created this step-by-step guide on how to upgrade from Magento 1 to Magento 2.

We will cover the following steps:

• Step 1: Plan Your Migration

• Step 2: Install Magento 2 on the Staging Server

• Step 3: Install and Configure Data Migration Tool

• Step 4: Perform Data Migration Using the Data Migration Tool

• Step 5: Make Required Changes to Migrated Data

• Step 6: Launch Magento 2 Store on a Live Server

By following this guide, you will be able to upgrade your store from Magento 1 to Magento 2 successfully and smoothly. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Plan Your Migration

The first step in upgrading from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is to plan your migration. This step involves reviewing and analyzing your current store and deciding what needs to be kept or removed in your new store. You should also create a backup of your Magento 1 store and database before starting the migration process.

Here are some questions that you should ask yourself during this step:

• What is the current version of your Magento 1 store?

• What are the extensions, themes, customizations, and integrations that you are using in your Magento 1 store?

• Which ones are compatible with Magento 2 and which ones are not?

• Which ones are essential for your store functionality and which ones are not?

• Do you need to update or replace any extensions, themes, customizations, or integrations in your new store?

• How much data do you have in your Magento 1 store (products, orders, customers, etc.)?

• How much time do you have for the migration process?

• Do you have enough technical skills and resources for the migration process or do you need professional help?

By answering these questions, you will be able to determine the scope and complexity of your migration project. You will also be able to estimate the time and budget required for the migration process. You can also create a checklist of tasks that need to be done during the migration process.

Step 2: Install Magento 2 on the Staging Server

The second step of upgrading from Magento 1 to Magento 2 is to install Magento 2 on the staging server. A staging server is a separate environment where you can test your new store before launching it on a live server. This way, you can avoid any potential errors or issues that may affect your live store.

To install Magento 2 on the staging server, you need to follow these steps:

• Choose a hosting provider that meets the system requirements for Magento 2.

• Download the latest version of Magento 2 from the official website or use Composer.

• Upload the Magento 2 files to your staging server using FTP or SSH.

• Create a database for your new store using phpMyAdmin or MySQL command line.

• Run the web-based setup wizard or use the command line interface (CLI) to install Magento 2 on your staging server.

• Configure the basic settings for your new store such as store name, admin email, currency, language, etc.

After installing Magento 2 on your staging server, you should check if everything is working properly. You can also explore the new features and functionalities of Magento 2.

Step 3: Install and Configure Data Migration Tool

The third step of upgrading from Magento_1 to Magneto_2 is to install and configure the data migration tool. The data migration tool is an official tool provided by Magneto that allows you to migrate your data from Magneto_1 to Magneto_2.

The data migration tool consists of three modes:

• Data migration mode: This mode migrates your core data such as products, orders, customers, categories, etc.

• Settings migration mode: This mode migrates your configuration settings such as store views, tax rules, payment methods, etc.

• Delta migration mode: This mode migrates any data changes that occur in your Magneto_1 store during or after the data migration mode.

To install and configure the data migration tool, you need to follow these steps:

• Download the data migration tool from GitHub or use Composer.

• Copy the data migration tool files into your /vendor/magento directory using FTP or SSH.

• Edit the config.xml file in /vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/ directory using a text editor.

• Enter the source (Magento_1) database credentials (hostname/IP address/port number/database name/user name/password) in section.

• Enter the destination (Magento_2) database credentials (hostname/IP address/port number/database name/user name/password) in section.

• Enter the crypt key (encryption key) of your source (Magento_1) database in section. You can find this key in /app/etc/local.xml file under tag.

• Save and close the config.xml file.

After installing and configuring the data migration tool, you are ready to migrate your data from Magneto_1 to Magneto_2.

Step 4: Perform Data Migration Using the Data Migration Tool

The fourth step of upgrading from Magneto_1 to Magneto_2 is to perform data migration using the data migration tool.

This step involves running three commands in sequence:

• php bin/magento migrate: settings

• php bin/magento migrate: data

• php bin/magento migrate: delta

The first command migrates your configuration settings from the Magneto_1 database to the Magneto_2 database. The second command migrates your core data from the Magneto_1 database to the Magneto_2 database. The third command migrates any data changes that occur in the Magneto_1 database during or after the second command.

You need to run these commands from the directory using SSH or CLI. You should also stop any activities in your Magneto_1 store such as creating orders or customers during this step.

After running these commands successfully, you should check if all your data has been migrated correctly. You can also compare your Magneto_1 database tables with Magneto_2 database tables using phpMyAdmin or MySQL command line.

Step 5: Make Required Changes to Migrated Data

The fifth step of upgrading from Magneto_1 to Magneto_2 is to make any required changes to migrated data. This step involves updating or modifying some data fields that may not be compatible with Magneto_2 or may need some improvement.

Some examples of these changes are:

• Updating product URLs using URL rewrite management tool

• Updating product images using a media storage management tool

• Updating product attributes using an attribute management tool

• Updating product prices using a price management tool

• Updating customer passwords using a password reset tool

• Updating customer groups using a customer group management tool

• Updating order statuses using the order status management tool

• Updating tax rules using a tax rule management tool

• Updating payment methods using a payment method management tool

• Updating shipping methods using a shipping method management tool

You can use various tools available in Magento 2 admin panel or CLI commands to make these changes. You should also test if these changes work properly in your new store.

We hope this guide has helped you understand how to upgrade from Magento 1 to Magento 2. If you need any help with the migration process, you can contact us anytime. We are a professional Magento development company with years of experience and expertise in Magento migration. We can help you migrate your store from Magento 1 to Magento 2 smoothly and efficiently. We also offer a free consultation and quote for your migration project. Contact us today and let us help you take your store to the next level with Magento 2.