In this article, we'll explore Divi 5 Beta's approach to backward compatibility and its support for third-party modules. These features will help ensure a smooth transition to the full release.
⚠︎ Important Notes: Read Before Using Divi 5
Best for New Sites & Staging
We recommend using Divi 5 on new WordPress websites or in a staging environment before deploying it live.Migration Considerations
If you have a Divi 4 site and don’t rely on all its features, you can explore Divi 5 today. Migration is supported, but we strongly recommend backing up your site first.Active Development & Feature Limitations
Divi 5 is still in development, and you may encounter incomplete features or occasional bugs. Third-party Marketplace products may not be fully supported. Unsupported modules migrated via the Divi 5 Migrator System will run in compatibility mode with some limitations.
What is Divi 5 Beta?
The Divi 5 Beta is an important milestone towards the Divi 5 full release.
We recommend using Divi 5 on new WordPress websites or in a staging environment before deploying it live. Since this beta release, users can experiment and provide feedback.
Your feedback is crucial in shaping Divi's future, and we value your contribution to our development process. This recommendation will change once we iron out the kinks. Official release is expected to be shipped by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
Backward Compatibility Mode
While Divi 5 introduces a completely revamped architecture, backward compatibility is one of our top priorities.
Upgrading from Divi 4 to Divi 5 Beta will allow most of your existing content to continue functioning as expected. However, some limitations exist, particularly with third-party modules.
During the Beta phase, third-party products from the Divi Marketplace and some Divi 4 features, such as Quick Access, Full Site Editing, and Draggable Spacing, are not fully supported. Full compatibility with these features is expected on the full release of Divi 5 or even after the full release, as developers finalize updates for these functionalities.
We focus on ensuring a smooth transition to Divi 5 so your website continues to operate as before. If your page includes unsupported modules, they will still display correctly, as they will be loaded using the legacy Divi 4 framework. However, pages using these legacy modules will not benefit from Divi 5's performance enhancements.
Backward Compatibility Mode On The Front End
For pages utilizing unsupported Divi 4 modules, a notification will appear in the WordPress Admin bar at the top of the screen when viewed on the front end:
Clicking the notification will give you more information about the modules that are not yet fully compatible with Divi 5 Beta.
⚠︎ Note: Only pages with unsupported Divi 4 modules will experience slowdowns due to the Divi 4 framework being loaded. Pages using modules fully supported by Divi 5 Beta will maintain optimal performance without any impact on speed.
To take full advantage of Divi 5's performance and speed improvements, we recommend using only fully compatible modules with the Divi 5 Beta. All core Divi 4 modules are compatible, including WooCommerce modules.
Backward Compatibility Mode In The Builder
Third-Party Divi Modules not yet updated to use Divi 5's API can also be edited in the new Visual Builder using Divi 5's backward compatibility interface. Divi 5 interprets legacy shortcodes and generates a settings panel using the native field types currently available, and it will require an Ajax reload after any setting is changed.
Backward compatibility mode is a temporary solution to bridge the gap. At the same time, creators from the Divi Marketplace will redevelop their modules for Divi 5, and we will continue to improve the system and fix problems throughout the beta phase.
You can also revert to Divi 4 at any time. For more information, see the How to Rollback to Divi 4 article.
Third-Party Divi Module Support
We are committed to offering third-party developers all the tools they need to ensure that their products will be fully functional with the new Divi 5 platform and that the transition between the current Divi 4 code base and the new Divi 5 code base will be as smooth as possible as we transition to Divi 5.
You can check a module’s compatibility directly in the Divi Marketplace. Each product page includes a compatibility section in the side pane that indicates whether the module is compatible with Divi 5. If the information is not listed, you can contact the author directly to confirm.
Many Divi Marketplace creators are actively updating their products for Divi 5, and more products are becoming compatible every day as we approach the final release.
⚠︎ Note: If a product you use does not list Divi 5 compatibility, we encourage you to reach out to the author, as some creators are providing Divi 5 versions upon request.
Opt-Out Mechanism For Divi Creators
The Opt-out Mechanism for Divi Creators allows plugin authors to opt out of the Divi 5 Beta.
If your site uses a plugin whose author has opted out of Divi 5 Beta, you won't be able to activate it, and the following message will appear:
The plugin listed in the message above must be deactivated before activating the Divi 5 Beta.
⚠︎ Note: If any of your pages use modules related to the listed plugin(s), deactivating the plugin(s) will stop displaying the related module and instead display a shortcode.
If Divi 5 Beta is already activated, and you try to activate a third-party plugin whose author decided to opt out of the Divi 5 Beta, the following message will appear:
If you need the plugin activated, you can roll back to Divi 4 and activate it.
Third-Party Product Expectations
Since Divi 5 is in its Beta Phase, it's important to note that the plugin authors should not be held responsible for any compatibility issues with third-party plugins or modules. The Beta Phase is the last phase before the official release, during which bugs and performance issues are expected as the system is refined.
What to Expect Moving Forward
The Divi 5 Beta is the final phase before the official release scheduled for the end of 2025 or early 2026. During this phase, more features will be added, including enhanced third-party plugin compatibility.
Key Takeaways:
The Divi 5 Beta is the last phase before the official release, and it can be used on new or existing websites. However, some of the Divi 4 Features will be added later as we get closer to the full release.
Backward compatibility is in place, but third-party plugins will run in compatibility mode if migrated, affecting performance.
Plugin authors are not expected to have their plugins ready for Divi 5 Beta. Instead, third-party modules will run in backward compatibility mode to help bridge the gap.
Divi 5 is suitable for new websites relying only on native Divi modules, offering enhanced performance and modern architecture.
We are working hard to ensure a smooth transition as we progress toward Divi 5's full release. Your feedback during the beta phase will be invaluable in shaping Divi's future.