OpenCart Core and Modules Update

OpenCart Core and Modules Update

OpenCart uses modular architecture — core and extensions update differently. Core updates manually or via built-in mechanism, modules — via OpenCart Extension Installer.

Preparation for Update

# Backup files
tar czf /backups/opencart-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz /var/www/shop.com

# Backup DB
mysqldump -u root opencart_db > /backups/opencart-db-$(date +%Y%m%d).sql

Update OpenCart Core

Via built-in mechanism (OpenCart 3.0.3+): Admin → Extensions → Installer → Updates tab.

Manually:

# Download new version
wget https://github.com/opencart/opencart/releases/download/4.x.x/opencart-4.x.x.zip
unzip opencart-4.x.x.zip

# Copy only core files (NOT overwriting config.php and modifications)
rsync -avz --exclude='config.php' \
    --exclude='admin/config.php' \
    --exclude='image/' \
    --exclude='system/storage/upload/' \
    opencart-4.x.x/upload/ \
    /var/www/shop.com/

# Run DB migration
php /var/www/shop.com/install/cli_install.php upgrade

Update via OpenCart Modification System (OCMOD)

OCMOD allows installing modifications without changing core files. On core update modifications reapply:

Admin → Extensions → Modifications → Refresh

Modifications stored separately — not overwritten on core update.

Update Paid Extensions

Admin → Extensions → Marketplace → Install
# Or manually via Extension Installer:
Admin → Extensions → Installer → Upload
# Select extension .zip file

After extension install:

Admin → Extensions → Modifications → Refresh (apply OCMOD)
Admin → Dashboard → clear cache

OpenCart 3 → OpenCart 4 Update

No direct upgrade — DB structure changed significantly. Recommended path:

1. Install OpenCart 4 on new server
2. Migrate content (products, categories, orders) via export/import
3. Find OC4-compatible versions of all extensions
4. Migrate custom templates (OC4 uses Twig instead of PHP templates)

-- Export products from OC3
SELECT p.product_id, pd.name, p.model, p.sku, p.price, p.quantity, p.status
FROM oc_product p
JOIN oc_product_description pd ON p.product_id = pd.product_id AND pd.language_id = 1
INTO OUTFILE '/tmp/products_export.csv'
FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' ENCLOSED BY '"'
LINES TERMINATED BY '\n';

Check After Update

# PHP errors
tail -f /var/log/php/error.log

# Test cart and checkout
# Test payment gateway

# Clear all caches
# Admin → Dashboard → refresh icon
# Delete system/storage/cache/ if needed
rm -rf /var/www/shop.com/system/storage/cache/*

Timeframes

OpenCart update within one major version — 2–4 hours. OC3 to OC4 transition — 2–4 weeks.