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Introductuction
In anticipation of the Magento 2.4.0 update, I found myself reading through the Official Magento Release Notes. - Of which I found some pretty interesting points (amongst the plethora of notes) that I feel should be made a bit more known. So, here are the “Need to know highlights” that will likely affect you and your store.
This release includes all the improvements to core quality that were included in Magento 2.3.5-p1, over 100 new fixes to core code, and 30 security enhancements. It includes the resolution of 226 GitHub issues (currently there are still ~1,400 outstanding).
I’ll say this now, rather than leave this to the end: I personally won’t upgrade to 2.4.0. I consider it too “high risk” to update to the latest “large” update as it could include significant bugs. Instead I’ll stay on the 2.3 branch until version 2.4.1 or 2.4.2 is available, which should include a lot of bug fixes that “early adopters” will run into and report. You don’t have to do this yourself, but I just wanted to remain transparent.
Need to know Highlights
So, here are the need to know highlights…
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is now enabled by default for the Magento Admin
Admin users must first configure their 2FA before logging into the Admin through either the UI or a web API. 2FA is enabled by default and cannot be disabled. This extra step of authentication makes it harder for malicious users to log in to the Admin without authorisation.
PHP 7.4 support introduced and PHP 7.1 and 7.2 deprecated
Magento 2.4.0 introduces support for PHP 7.4. All testing of 2.4.0 has been done on PHP 7.4. You can still install Magento 2.4.x with PHP 7.3, but we recommend using PHP 7.4.
(This does not mean you’re 3rd party modules are automatically compatible. You’ll always be held back by the last module you run that requires the compatibility changes)
Elasticsearch 7.x support
The latest Elasticsearch 7.x version is now the default catalog search engine for Magento Commerce and Open Source. Elasticsearch version 2.x code has been removed, and Elasticsearch version 5.x has been deprecated. Elasticsearch v6.8 is still supported in Magento 2.4.0 (and 2.3.x).
MySQL 8.0 support
Magento 2.4.x supports MySQL 8.x. (Magento 2.4.0 was tested with MySQL 8.0.20.) Merchants are encouraged to migrate their deployments to MySQL 8.x to take advantage of its improved performance, security, and reliability. Although MySQL 5.7 is still supported for Magento 2.4.x, MySQL 5.6 is no longer supported. You cannot host Magento 2.4.x with a MySQL 5.6 database.
Removal of the MySQL catalog search engine
The MySQL search engine has been removed from Magento 2.4.0 and replaced as the default search engine with Elasticsearch.
MariaDB 10.4 support
Support for MySQL 8.0 provides the opportunity for merchants to deploy MariaDB 10.4 with Magento. Although merchants can still use MariaDB 10.2 with Magento 2.4.0, we recommend upgrading to MariaDB 10.4 for improved performance and reliability. MariaDB 10.0 and 10.1 are no longer supported (as a result of removing support for MySQL 5.6 in this release).
Removal of the core integration of the Signifyd fraud protection code
This core feature is no longer supported.
The core Braintree module has been removed from the code base
The Braintree Payments module now provides the same feature set.
Removal of core integration of third-party payment methods
With this release, the Authorize.Net, eWay, CyberSource, and Worldpay payment method integrations have been removed from core code. Merchants should migrate to the official extensions that are available on the Magento Marketplace.
Support for partial-word search for Elasticsearch (new default search engine)
Elasticsearch now supports the use of partial words in search terms for product names and SKUs when using quick search.
Deprecation and removal of the Web Set Up Wizard
You must use the command line to install or upgrade Magento 2.4.0.
Multiple optimizations to Redis performance
The enhancements minimize the number of queries to Redis that are performed on each Magento request.
Magento Media Gallery
This replacement for the former Media Gallery offers a brand-new, searchable interface for Magento media assets. Administrators can now search, filter, and sort images up to 30x faster than they could in the earlier version of this feature.
Inventory Management
Inventory Management enhancements for this release include support for in-store pickup and bundle product support.
Final Words
There are a ton more Release Notes for Magento 2.4.0 and you should take your time to read through them. Once 2.4.0 is available, I’ll be producing 2 videos:
- How to Upgrade Magento 2.3 to 2.4 on Ubuntu (This will be aimed at anyone who’s been following all of my previous tutorials
- How to install Magento 2.4 and build a web server (This will be for anyone starting from scratch)
So, keep an eye out for those in the near future.