Divi 4 to Divi 5 Migration Checklist: Step-by-Step Guide for Website Developers
Divi 5 isn’t just an update — it’s a rebuild.
That means migrating from Divi 4 takes more planning than just clicking “Update.” To make the switch smooth (and safe), here’s a step-by-step migration checklist for Website Developers you can follow.
Before You Begin
- Check Compatibility
- List out your plugins, child themes, and custom modules.
- Check the developer notes or support forums to see if they’re ready for Divi 5.
- Back Up Everything
- Full site backup (files + database).
- Ideally, use a tool like UpdraftPlus, ManageWP, or your hosting provider’s snapshot option.
- Set Up a Staging Site
- Never test Divi 5 on your live site.
- Clone your site to staging so you can safely experiment.
Migration Steps
- Install Divi 5 on Staging
- Grab the Divi 5 Alpha/Beta build from Elegant Themes.
- Install and activate it in your staging environment.
- Test Core Pages First
- Homepage, About, Services, Blog, Contact.
- Check layouts, responsiveness, and functionality.
- Review Global Styles
- Recreate your Global Presets and apply Design Variables for fonts, colours, and sizes.
- Ensure they match your old site’s look and feel.
- Check Custom Code & Shortcodes
- Divi 5 uses block-based storage, not shortcodes.
- Test custom code modules or shortcodes you’ve used to see if they need replacing.
- Run Through Key Features
- Responsive layouts at all breakpoints.
- Sliders, forms, galleries, pop-ups, menus.
- WooCommerce pages (if e-commerce).
- Test Plugins & Integrations
- Forms (Gravity Forms, Contact Form 7, etc.).
- SEO plugins (RankMath, Yoast).
- Security, caching, and membership tools.
Before Going Live
- Speed & Performance Test
- Use GTmetrix, PageSpeed Insights, or WebPageTest.
- Compare staging results to your live Divi 4 site.
- Cross-Browser & Device Testing
- Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge.
- Mobile devices and tablets.
- Get Feedback
- Ask a colleague or client to click through staging.
- Fresh eyes catch missed issues.
- Schedule the Migration
- Choose a low-traffic time for launch.
- Make sure your backup is recent before pushing live.
- Push to Live
- Replace your Divi 4 theme with Divi 5.
- Clear all caches (plugin + server + CDN).
- Final Post-Launch Checks
- Test forms again.
- Check menus, header/footer, and blog archive.
- Monitor site analytics and error logs for 48 hours.
Final Word
Migrating to Divi 5 is about patience and planning. Done right, you’ll end up with a faster, leaner, and more future-proof website. Done wrong, you could break layouts, lose SEO value, or frustrate users.
👉 Follow this checklist, and your Divi 4 → Divi 5 transition will feel like an upgrade, not a headache.
