Divi 5 migration is straightforward when you prep well. You’ll use the Divi 5 Migrator to scan your site, convert supported content, and keep anything unsupported running in backward-compatibility mode. Always back up and test on staging first.
Before you migrate
Step 1. Back up your site and create a staging site.
While we strive to ensure a smooth migration from Divi 4 to Divi 5, migration bugs can exist on complex or customized sites. To prevent those as much as possible, back up your entire Divi 4 website first - including the database, uploads directory, and all theme and plugin files - and create a staging site where the migration can be done without affecting your live website.
Step 2. Update WordPress and third-party plugins
In your WordPress Dashboard, go to Dashboard → Updates and update WordPress, Divi, and all plugins before you migrate. Running the migration on outdated software increases the chance of conflicts.
Step 3. Audit third-party Divi modules
If you use Divi extensions from our Marketplace (third-party modules and plugins), check that they show the Compatibility with Divi 5 tag on their product page. If many of them are not ready, it is safer to delay migration until they are.
Choosing Your Update Path: Divi 4 or Divi 5?
Before you migrate, you need to make one decision: which update path do you want to stay on? Elegant Themes maintains both Divi 4 and Divi 5 simultaneously right now, but they serve different purposes and follow different release schedules.
Divi 4 Update Path
Divi 4 continues to receive updates for security patches and critical bug fixes. No new features are being developed for it. If you stay on Divi 4, your site keeps working exactly as it does today - nothing changes. This is the right call if:
You run a complex site with many third-party Divi modules that are not yet Divi 5-compatible
You're mid-project and can't afford any disruption right now
Your Migrator scan returns a high number of legacy warnings
Staying on Divi 4 is a valid short-term decision. It is not a permanent option - Divi 4 will eventually reach end-of-life, and the timeline for that is tied to Divi 5 reaching full release stability.
⚠︎ Note: Divi 4 will be fully supported for at least 12 months following the official public release of Divi 5 (launched February 26th, 2026).
Divi 5 Update Path
Divi 5 is where all new feature development happens. Switching to the Divi 5 update path means you get performance improvements, new modules, Visual Builder enhancements, and everything Elegant Themes ships going forward. This is the right call if:
Your Migrator scan shows most or all content is fully compatible
Your third-party plugins carry the Divi 5 Compatibility tag
You're building a new site from scratch (use Divi 5 from the start - no migration needed)
You want access to new features as they ship
How to Switch Between Update Paths
Divi handles this inside the WordPress updater. When a new Divi update is available, you'll see which version it targets. To stay on Divi 4 updates, don't install Divi 5. To move to the Divi 5 update path, install Divi 5 and run the Migrator. Once you're on Divi 5, your automatic updates will follow the Divi 5 release track.
⚠︎ Note: Switching from Divi 4 to Divi 5 is a one-way update via the Migrator. While rollback is possible immediately after migration (via the Migrator's restore function), the longer you run Divi 5 and edit content, the harder a clean rollback becomes.
Stay on Divi 4 Update Path
If you decide to stay on Divi 4 for a little longer, there's nothing you need to do. Divi 4 will keep receiving critical updates, which you can update to from the WordPress Dashboard → Updates page.
Choose the Divi 5 Update Path
Log in to your WordPress website.
Navigate to Divi → Dashboard.
Click the Enable Divi 5 Updates button.
In the Divi Overview card, click the Update link
Click the Update now link.
Run the Divi 5 Migrator
From your WordPress Dashboard, go to Divi → Divi 5 Migrator.
Review the Compatibility Scan
The Migrator automatically runs a compatibility check the moment you open it. It scans nine areas of your site:
Pages
Posts
Custom Post Types
Theme Builder Templates
WooCommerce Products
Divi Library Items
Widgets
Presets
The scan produces a report showing which items are fully compatible with Divi 5 and which contain unsupported modules. Orange warning icons flag items that will run in backward-compatibility mode after migration. Use this report as your map before committing to the migration - note which specific modules are causing warnings so you can plan ahead.Run the Migration by clicking the Migrate This Site to Divi 5 button. Once you're comfortable with the report, click Migrate This Site to Divi 5. Confirm when prompted. The process usually takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes on large sites.
The Migrator will:
Convert all compatible Divi 4 modules from the shortcodes format to the new Divi 5 storage format, preserving all design settings, content, and configurations.
Wrap unsupported modules in a backward-compatibility layer, so they keep working using the legacy Divi 4 framework.
Backward Compatibility (what happens to legacy content)
Divi 5 automatically detects old Divi 4 modules and loads the Divi 4 framework only on pages that still need it.
Those modules keep working and can still be edited, but pages that use them won't get the full Divi 5 performance boost until they are updated.
On pages that use legacy modules, you may see a Backward Compatibility Mode Enabled notice on the frontend. This is expected - it just means Divi 4 is loaded in the background to keep those modules running.
If a page contains even one legacy module, the entire page loads the Divi 4 framework.
Shortcodes are gone
In Divi 4, layouts were saved as “shortcodes” (chunks of text like
[et_pb_section]).In Divi 5, layouts are stored in a new, more stable format behind the scenes.
During migration, Divi converts your existing Divi 4 shortcodes automatically. You don’t need to change anything. Shortcodes from non-Divi plugins will keep working as usual.
When Should You Migrate To Divi 5?
Migrate now if your Divi 5 Migration scan shows most modules are convertible and you only have a few legacy modules.
Wait, if you rely heavily on third-party modules that aren’t ready. They’ll run, but you’ll miss some speed gains until native versions land.
Rollback and Safety Nets
If things don't look right after testing, restore the full backup you made before starting.
The Migrator also saves a copy of your Divi 4 content before it runs. You can click Restore Divi 4 Content inside the Migrator at any time, then reinstall Divi 4. See How to Roll Back to Divi 4 for the full steps.
Post-migration checks
Visit your most important pages on the front end and check for layout issues.
Open a few pages in the Divi 5 Visual Builder and confirm you can edit modules, rows, and sections as expected.
Spot-check WooCommerce pages, menus, and Theme Builder templates that were migrated from Divi 4.
Test the functionality of third-party plugins.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Layouts look broken - This is usually caused by incompatible third-party plugins. Check that your Divi Marketplace plugins are compatible with Divi 5.
Builder glitches - Clear your browser cache, Divi cache, and any caching plugin cache. Divi 5 is still in active development, so occasional bugs are expected.
Slow performance on certain pages - Pages with unsupported legacy modules load the Divi 4 framework as a compatibility layer. This is temporary. Performance will improve as you replace legacy modules with Divi 5-native versions.
Migration fails - Make sure WordPress, Divi, and all plugins are fully updated before running the Migrator again.
Quick checklist
Staging site + full backup complete
WordPress, Divi, and plugins updated
Third-party extensions checked for Divi 5 compatibility
Divi 5 installed (without opening any pages yet)
Migrator compatibility scan reviewed
Migration confirmed and completed
Post-migration testing done on staging
Legacy modules identified and flagged for future replacement
Live site updated after staging tests pass
FAQs
Will my site break if I have legacy modules?
Will my site break if I have legacy modules?
No. Divi 5 runs legacy modules in backward-compatibility mode and flags the pages that use them. Expect a small performance cost on those pages until you replace the legacy modules with Divi 5-native versions.
How long does the migration take?
How long does the migration take?
Usually, a few seconds. Large sites can take a minute or two, but the Migrator handles it end-to-end.
Do I need to rebuild layouts?
Do I need to rebuild layouts?
No. The Migrator converts supported content automatically. Unsupported pieces continue to work in compatibility mode until you replace them.
Can I open my pages right after installing Divi 5?
Can I open my pages right after installing Divi 5?
It is not recommended - not before running the Migrator. Opening a page before migrating causes Divi 5 to convert it immediately without the option to roll it back. Always run the Migrator first.
Can I roll back to Divi 4 after migrating?
Can I roll back to Divi 4 after migrating?
Yes. The Migrator saves a copy of your Divi 4 content before it converts anything. Click Restore Divi 4 Content in the Migrator, then reinstall Divi 4. See How to Roll Back to Divi 4.