Joomla! 3.2 Alpha Released

Details: Published: 11 September 2013

The Joomla Project is pleased to announce the availability of Joomla 3.2 Alpha for download. Please note you must have a Joomlacode account to access these test packages. Update: These packages will be available 9/11/13 by 13:00 UTC.

What is this release for?

The main goal for this release is to allow advance testing of the new features and bug fixes added to the CMS since the release of 3.1.5 in August.

Additionally, the PLT is offering a second package for testing which includes the proposed Apps* (working project title) code for the CMS to install extensions from the JED via your site's Extension Manager. These packages are prefixed with "Apps-"

New features which are included in this release are:

[#31436] *Create a update button to list new Help servers
[#31757] Enable PSR-0 Autoloading by Default
[#31389] TinyMCE 4.0.5 Update
[#31774] Add the Framework DI Container to the CMS
[#31009] Add a switch to turn mail sending on/off
[#30944] Content versioning for core and third-party components
[#31800] Add Joomla Ajax Interface to core
[#31844] Rapid Application Framework (Joomla! RAD)
[#31704] Two factor authentication for Joomla!
[#31725] Joomla multilingual site automatic installer

For known issues with the 3.2 alpha release, see the Version 3.2 Alpha FAQ in the documentation site.

Click here to download.

What is this release NOT for?

This alpha version of Joomla 3.2 is not suitable for production sites. It is for testing only.

When is the final release due?

Joomla 3.2.0 (general availability) is due to be released on or about 22 October 2013. The planned milestones are:

20 September - Feature freeze to prepare for beta release
24 September - Joomla 3.2 beta 1 to be released for public testing
1 October - Joomla 3.2 beta 2 to be released for public testing
8 October - Joomla 3.2 beta 3 to be released for public testing
15 October - Joomla 3.2 release candidate to be released for public testing
22 October - Joomla 3.2.0 released

Please note that dates may be subject to change depending on availability of volunteers and circumstances beyond our control.

Should I plan to upgrade to Joomla 3.2?

Version 3.2 will be a standard-term-support (STS) release. If you are running an existing production site on version 2.5, you will probably not want to update to version 3.2. Instead, you will likely want to wait and eventually update it to version 3.5, the next long-term-support (LTS) release, due for release in March 2014. Note that the 3.2 update will not show by default in the auto-updates in the Joomla! Update. By default, version 2.5.x updates will show.

Users who are currently running a 3.0 or 3.1 site are encouraged to update to 3.2 upon stable release. Version 3.0 support ended in May 2013 and 3.1 support will end 30 days after version 3.2 is released.

How do I upgrade to Joomla 3.2?

Sites that are currently on Joomla 2.5 are encouraged to stay on 2.5, until Joomla 3.5’s release, unless they need to be moved over sooner to take advantage of Joomla 3’s new features. We’ve provided a one-click upgrade from Joomla 2.5 to any Joomla 3 version and you just have to make sure that all your extensions are compatible before upgrading.

If you are using Joomla 1.5 then you will need to migrate your site to version 2.5 before updating to 3.2.

How can you help Joomla development?

The great news is you don’t have to be a developer to help build Joomla. The Joomla Bug Squad is one of the most active teams in the Joomla development process and is always looking for people (not just developers) that can help with sorting bug reports, coding patches and testing solutions. It’s a great way for increasing your working knowledge of Joomla, and also a great way to meet knew people from all around the world.

If you are interested, please read about us on the Joomla Wiki and, if you wish to join, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You can also help Joomla development by thanking those involved in the many areas of the process. In the past year, for example, over 980 bugs have been fixed by the Bug Squad. The project also wants to thank all of the people that have taken the time to prepare and submit work to be included in Joomla 3.2, and to those that have worked very hard on the Joomla Framework project.

Related information

If you are an extension developer, please make sure you subscribe to the general developer mailing list. This is a place where you can discuss extension development. News that may affect custom development will be posted here from time to time.

Following is a list of sites of interest:

Update: Packages will be available by approximately 13:00 UTC on 11 September.