How to Install Joomla! Extensions
Table of Contents
Although Joomla! comes with a lot of built-in functions by default, with extensions you can add a whole new functionality to your site with just a few clicks. This tutorial explains all three available methods for adding extensions to your site.
Joomla! 4
Access the Joomla! Extension Manager
To access the Joomla! Extension Manager access your Joomla! administrative dashboard, then click on System -> Manage -> Extensions.
Once you open the Extension Manager, click Install Extensions.
You have four options to chose from to install your extension. In most cases, you should go for the first option but it’s good to know that there are alternatives.
Option 1 – Upload Package File
This is one of the most convenient options available. All you need to do is press Or browse for file to browse to the location of your extension’s archive on your local computer and select it.
Option 2 – Install from Directory
This option is suitable for large extensions, that exceed in size the server PHP Upload Filesize limitation and cannot be uploaded through the previous method. Such components, modules or plugins can be uploaded via FTP to a folder in your hosting account since FTP can transfer much bigger files. For more information on how to use FTP to upload your extension check out our FTP Tutorial.
Once you have uploaded the extension directory to your hosting account, go to the Extensions Manager and select the Install from Folder tab. Specify the path to that folder. Finally, press Check and Install. Joomla! will check the folder you’ve specified and install the extension if it is uploaded correctly.
Option 3 – Install from URL
The third available option for Joomla! extensions installation is directly through an URL. All you need to do is to enter the direct address of the zip archive with the extension you want to install and press Check and Install. Joomla! 4 will download, extract and make the necessary installations for you.
Option 4 – Install from Web
This option will load the official Joomla! Extensions Directory and allow you to choose from the many extensions uploaded there. Once you pick the desired extension you can use the Install button to add them to your website.
Joomla! 3
Access the Joomla! 3.x Extension Manager
The first thing you need to do is to log in to the administrative area of your Joomla! 3.x website. Once you do that, access the Joomla! 3.x Extension Manager by going to Extensions > Manage > Install.
Once you open the Extension Manager, you have three options to chose from to install your extension. In most cases, you should go for the first option but it’s good to know that there are alternatives.
Option 1 – Upload Package File
This is one of the most convenient options available. All you need to do is press Or browse for file to browse to the location of your extension’s archive on your local computer and select it.
Option 2 – Install from Directory
This option is suitable for large extensions, that exceed in size the server PHP Upload Filesize limitation and cannot be uploaded through the previous method. Such components, modules or plugins must be uploaded via FTP to a folder in your hosting account since FTP can transfer much bigger files. For more information on how to use FTP to upload your extension check out our FTP Tutorial.
Once you have uploaded the extension directory to your hosting account, go to the Extensions Manager and select the Install from Folder tab. Specify the path to that folder. Finally, press Check and Install. Joomla! 3 will check the folder you’ve specified and install the extension if it is uploaded correctly.
Option 3 – Install from URL
The third available option for Joomla! 3.x extensions installation is directly through an URL. All you need to do is to enter the direct address of the zip archive with the extension you want to install and press Check and Install. Joomla! 3 will download, extract and make the necessary installations for you.
