How to Migrate jDownloads from Joomla 3 to Joomla 5 Without Upgrading the Old Site?

[keep2000]

Hello,

I currently have a Joomla 3.9.6 website using jDownloads 3.9.8.7. I'm working on a completely new Joomla 5 site, which is not an upgrade of the original site. The new site has a different structure, components, and template, but I would like to use jDownloads on the new site as well.

I've come across documentation about upgrading an existing site with jDownloads, but my situation is different. I want to migrate the documents (including their metadata, download statistics, and other relevant data) from the current site to the new Joomla 5 installation without upgrading the old site.

Additionally, since the new site is still in development, I would like to first transfer the documents now for development purposes and later synchronize everything (including files, statistics, etc.) again when we go live, as the documents and their data might change in the meantime.

Is there a way to achieve this?

Thank you!

[ColinM]

Hi
As I understand it you want the the same jD categories and downloads on a separate new site as on your present Joomla 3.9.6
One route is to use an Akeeba backup of existing Joomla 3 site and the do a restore on your new site.  On the New site you can uninstall any components and so on you do not wish to have on the new site. Then follow the upgrade path on the new site to get to J5 followed by doing upgrades.
The other route is to get a new J5 on the new site and install latest jDownloads with an initial List All Categories menu item as required by jD.
Next go to you CPanel on the old site and copy the jdownloads directory which has all the folders and files that are referenced in jD as Categories and Downloads. Copy these into the jdownloads folder on your new site.
Alternatively use FTP to transfer the folders and files
Then Run the Check Download Area on your new site, ensure you set Use Test Run to No and Automatically publish new found items to Yes.

Colin

[keep2000]

Hi,

Thank you for the suggestions, but neither fully addresses my needs. My Joomla 5 site is already built with a different structure, components, and template, so duplicating the Joomla 3 site and upgrading (Route 1) isn't practical. This would also require repeating the entire process to sync later, which is inefficient.

Similarly, Route 2 only transfers files and recreates categories but doesn't sync metadata, download stats, or access permissions, which are essential.

Would the only viable solution be to create a third site as a copy of the Joomla 3 site, perform the upgrade, and then manually copy the files and database tables to the Joomla 5 site? This approach would work but requires significant time for every sync. Is there a more efficient method for handling this scenario?

Thanks!

[ColinM]

Hi
I would suggest you use Akeeba backup, preferably the pro version.
Copying files and folders can be problematic and as you say very time consuming and also error prone

So use Akeeba to backup your Joomla 3 site. You can then restore to a test site and do all the changes etc. Then of course backup the updated site and transfer that backup to the originl siteuse that to update the target site.  Just in case first do an Akeeba backup of the original site again.
You will need say FileZilla or similar to transfer the backups.  Also do not use the default backup locaton but set up a backup folder in say administration.

Colin