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- Laravel Upgrade & Migration
Laravel upgrade & migration that keeps your application running while the code moves forward
We upgrade old Laravel applications to supported versions and migrate legacy PHP, CodeIgniter or hosting setups into current Laravel, with tests and a rollback plan at every stage. It suits businesses running software that works today but is stuck on versions no longer receiving security fixes.
By Junaid Tariq Reviewed October 2026
- Upgrade audit that lists risks and order of work before any change
- Staged version jumps with tests and a staging site, never a big-bang switch
- Zero-surprise release with backups, monitoring and a rollback path
Risks of running an unsupported Laravel version
Laravel upgrade & migration work starts from a simple fact: Laravel releases a new major version regularly, and each one is supported for a limited period with bug fixes and then with security fixes. Once a version leaves that window, vulnerabilities in the framework or its dependencies stop being patched.
The same applies to PHP itself. An application can run happily for years and still be sitting on software that no one is maintaining.
The risk is not only security. Old applications block new packages, payment gateways drop support for legacy libraries, hosting providers retire old PHP versions, and developers refuse to work on the code. We regularly meet owners who cannot add a simple feature because the cheapest fix is a full upgrade nobody has budgeted for.
The longer the gap, the harder the jump, because breaking changes pile up across versions. That is why we recommend small, regular upgrades once you are current. If you are far behind, we plan the route in steps. For background on the PHP side, read our guide to upgrading to PHP 8 safely.
Situations we handle most often
Most requests fall into one of these patterns.
Several major versions behind
A Laravel 5 or 6 era application that must reach a supported release without losing features.
Stuck on an old PHP version
Hosting is ending support for your PHP version and the app breaks on newer ones.
Legacy PHP to Laravel
Hand-written PHP or an old framework, with logic mixed into templates, moved to a structured codebase.
CodeIgniter or Symfony 1 to Laravel
A framework change for teams that want a larger ecosystem. See our note on CodeIgniter, Laravel and Symfony compared.
Server and hosting migration
Shared hosting to a VPS or cloud with queue workers, caching and automated deployment.
Package and dependency cleanup
Abandoned packages replaced with maintained alternatives before they cause a failure.
Why trust this team with your build
For Laravel Upgrade & Migration, projects live or die on maintainability. Here is what stands behind the delivery.
Hands-on experience
500+ websites and web applications delivered over 18+ years for clients in 48 countries, the experience behind your Laravel Upgrade & Migration project.
Certified expertise
For Laravel Upgrade & Migration, engineering is planned together with SEO, speed and reporting, so what ships is findable, fast and measurable rather than just finished.
Recognised work
Led by Junaid Tariq, a National Level Award Winner in Digital Marketing who also builds WordPress plugins, CRMs and web applications. See the about page.
Transparent by default
A written scope and milestones before build, code and documentation handed over at the end and hosting or domain accounts kept in your name.
Upgrade scope and deliverables
What you get depends on the starting point, but these items define a proper upgrade.
- Upgrade audit reportCurrent versions, abandoned packages, deprecated code, test coverage and a risk-ranked plan.
- Test safety netCharacterisation tests around the most important flows, such as login, checkout, invoicing and reports, written before touching the code.
- Stepwise version upgradesOne major version at a time, following the official upgrade guide, with the application working at each step.
- Dependency updatesPackages replaced or patched, with notes on every change in behaviour.
- Code modernisationTyped properties, modern syntax and removal of deprecated calls, using tools such as Rector where it is safe.
- Database migration planSchema changes written as reversible migrations, with data checks before and after.
- Staging and cutover planA full rehearsal on staging, then a scheduled release window with a rollback script.
- Post-release monitoringError tracking and performance checks for the first weeks after launch.
Talk to Junaid about Laravel Upgrade & Migration
Send your name and number. We reply on WhatsApp with what we would do first. Free, no obligation.
Sequence of a safe migration
The order matters more than the speed. Skipping tests to save time is the most common source of failed upgrades.
- Inventory and auditWe read the codebase, check versions with Composer and run static analysis to find what breaks first.
- Add tests where none existWe cover the flows that make or lose money, so later changes can be checked quickly.
- Upgrade PHP and dependenciesWhere possible we move PHP first, then packages, because a modern runtime makes every later step easier.
- Step through Laravel versionsEach major version is applied, tested and committed before the next one starts.
- Rehearse on a copy of productionWe run the upgrade on a clone of real data to catch problems that test data hides.
- Release and watchBackups, a quiet window, a rollback plan and close monitoring through the first business days.
Upgrade or rewrite: choosing the route
Rewrites are tempting and frequently regretted. This table shows how we think about the choice.
Condition | Better route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
Code is structured and mostly Laravel | Upgrade in steps | Preserves working behaviour and history |
Business logic buried in templates | Gradual refactor then upgrade | Extract logic first, then move versions |
Very old custom framework | Rebuild module by module | Strangler approach keeps the site live |
Features no longer needed | Remove then upgrade | Less code means a cheaper, safer jump |
No one understands the code | Audit first, decide later | Avoid committing budget before facts |
Quote factors for an upgrade project
The factors that matter most are the number of major versions to cross, the size of the codebase, how much of it is covered by tests, how many third-party packages are abandoned, and how much custom code sits inside vendor folders or framework files.
Payment, courier and accounting connections may rely on libraries that need replacing, and each needs a sandbox check.
Downtime tolerance matters too: a business that can accept a night of maintenance is cheaper to migrate than one that must stay online around the clock.
Pricing and engagement options are explained in our Laravel development services overview, and you can ask about structured plans via the contact page.
Cases where we advise waiting or stopping
If the product is being retired within months, patch critical issues and move on. If the software is mostly unused features, the cheaper plan may be to rebuild a smaller version.
And if you have no tests and no budget to add any, we will say that an upgrade is a gamble and propose a smaller first step such as a PHP version move and a security review.
Mixing visual changes with a framework change makes bugs impossible to trace. Do one, release, then do the other.
Teams that want a new interface after the upgrade can look at Livewire and Inertia development, and a performance pass is covered in 10 Laravel performance quick wins.
Proof by method: evidence the upgrade worked
The same test suite runs before and after, response times of key pages are measured on both versions, and error logs are reviewed after release.
You receive a written summary listing every package and version changed, every behaviour that differs and everything we chose not to touch.
The admin side of an older system often needs attention at the same time, so our Laravel admin panel and dashboard development work is available as a follow-on phase.
For wider PHP work on non-Laravel code, see the PHP version upgrade and migration service.
What clients say
Verbatim reviews from our Google profile.
“Junaid is the best Digital Marketer in Pakistan and in the top ranks in all over the world. He is a great mentor as well.”
“I must say Junaid Tariq is the best Digital Marketer with multiple expertise in his field. Truly world class in every sense.”
“Sir Junaid Tariq is such a great human being and always motivate me to work hard and achieve life goals.”
- 18+ years in SEO, paid media and web development
- Google Ads and Analytics certified; Google Blue and Green Belt certified
- National Level Award Winner in Digital Marketing
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers before you get in touch.
How much downtime does an upgrade need?
Usually very little. We rehearse on staging, prepare database changes in advance and release in a quiet window. Many upgrades finish with a short maintenance page, and some need none. If you operate across time zones we pick the quietest overlap.
Can you upgrade without breaking our custom features?
That is the goal, and tests are how we check it. We write tests around important behaviour first, then upgrade in steps. Anything that changes is listed in the report, so nothing is a surprise.
Should we jump straight to the latest Laravel version?
Sometimes, but the safer path is stepwise, because each major version has its own breaking changes. Automated tools can help, and we check their output by hand. We also confirm the current support policy on the official site when planning, since release dates change.
Can you migrate a CodeIgniter or custom PHP site to Laravel?
Yes. For small sites a full rebuild is cleaner. For larger systems we move module by module so the live site keeps running. Our CodeIgniter development team can also help if staying on that framework is the better answer.
What do we need to provide?
Repository access, a copy of the database, hosting details and a list of the flows that matter most. A short call with whoever knows the system best saves a lot of time. We sign an NDA first if you prefer.
Will our hosting need to change?
Possibly. Newer Laravel versions need newer PHP and extensions, and some shared hosts cannot provide them. We can recommend and set up suitable hosting with queue workers, backups and monitoring.
Running a Laravel app past its support window?
Share the current versions and a rough description of the application. We will send back an honest view of risk, route and the first step.
- Free audit and honest recommendations, no obligation
- Direct access to the expert, no junior hand-offs
- Reply within minutes on WhatsApp during business hours