No Updates, No Security: Why Magento 2.4.4 & 2.4.5 End of Life Can’t Be Ignored

Endings can be bittersweet. 

Remember when Windows 7 finally retired, leaving millions scrambling for an upgrade? Or when Adobe Flash was discontinued, forcing websites to shift to modern alternatives? Or even when MTV News, once a pop culture staple, came to an end?

The truth is that all good things must eventually phase out, either to make way for something better or because they no longer meet evolving needs. 

Windows 7 gave way to Windows 10 and 11 for better security and performance. Flash was replaced by HTML5 for more secure, responsive web experiences. Even MTV News faded as digital platforms took over entertainment.

eCommerce platforms follow the same evolution. Adobe has announced that support for Magento 2.4.4 will end on April 12, 2025, and Magento 2.4.5 on August 9, 2025, marking the discontinuation of security patches, performance updates, and compliance fixes.

While it might feel easier to hold on, running an unsupported version exposes your eCommerce store to cyber threats, data breaches, and operational inefficiencies. 

To stay ahead and safeguard growth, your business needs to upgrade to a secure, future-ready solution.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the impact of Magento 2.4.4 and 2.4.5 EOL, highlight Magento 2.4.7 as the next best upgrade, and share best practices for a seamless migration.

Embracing the future is the only way to keep your business secure, competitive, and primed for innovation.

Magento 2.4.4 & 2.4.5 End of Life: The Risks of Staying Behind

1. No Further Updates

Post-EOL, Magento will cease to provide security patches, quality fixes, and PCI compliance updates for the 2.4.4 and 2.4.5 versions. Operating without these critical updates exposes your eCommerce store to increased security vulnerabilities and potential compliance issues. ​

2. No Official Support

After the EOL dates, Adobe will discontinue official support for Magento 2.4.4 and 2.4.5. Any technical challenges or issues that arise will need to be addressed internally or with assistance from third-party service providers, potentially leading to increased resolution times and costs. ​

3. Incompatible with Marketplace Extensions

As the Magento ecosystem evolves, new extensions and updates are designed to be compatible with the latest platform versions. Continuous use of outdated versions may result in incompatibility with newer extensions, limiting your store’s functionality and hindering access to innovative features that could enhance user experience and operational efficiency. ​

4. No Official Documentation

Official documentation for outdated Magento versions will typically be removed or no longer updated, making it challenging to find reliable resources for troubleshooting or development. This lack of access can complicate maintenance efforts and slow down the resolution of technical issues. ​

5. Third-Party Dependence

With official support and updates cessation, businesses may become increasingly reliant on third-party developers and agencies for maintenance and security patches. This dependency can lead to higher operational costs and potential delays in addressing critical issues, as third-party solutions may not be as timely or comprehensive as official updates.

6. Missed Innovation

Sticking with an unsupported version means missing out on new features, performance enhancements, and technological advancements introduced in newer Magento releases. This stagnation can put your business at a competitive disadvantage, as rivals leveraging the latest technologies may deliver superior user experiences and operational efficiencies.

How to mitigate these risks? 

Switch to Seamless, Secure, and Scalable Magento 2.4.8

1. Strengthened Storefront Security
Adobe Commerce 2.4.8 reinforces storefront protection with the latest Duo 2FA Web SDK, secure CLI-based encryption key changes, and improved OTP defaults. Additionally, admin-managed key updates are now restricted for enhanced safety.

2. Boosted Performance and Efficiency
Indexers now default to “Update by Schedule” for better speed. Tier price updates are optimized, and core libraries like Flysystem (v3), Require.js (v2.3.7), and TinyMCE (v7.3.0) are upgraded to deliver smoother site performance.

3. Smarter GraphQL APIs
GraphQL enhancements include accurate price rendering, better image handling, and improved stock visibility. New mutations support guest returns and cancellations, while custom attributes and clearer error messages improve the developer experience.

4. Up-to-Date PHP Compatibility
Magento 2.4.8 introduces compatibility with PHP 8.4 while retaining PHP 8.3 support and dropping PHP 8.1. It also brings enhanced PHPUnit 10 support, encouraging modern, reliable testing practices. 

5. Improved Core Code Quality
Inventory can now be managed independently of the Catalog module. A better label for order comments and over 500 quality fixes contribute to improved stability, admin usability, and platform consistency.

6. Modernized Frontend Libraries
Outdated libraries like fileUploader and extJs are replaced with Uppy and jsTree. Furthermore, deprecated support for Elasticsearch 8 and upgrades to Prototype.js and Require.js improve frontend performance and maintainability.

7. Enhanced PayPal Integration
PayPal updates include better tracking displays, accurate shipping options in Express Checkout, and improved CVV validation. Vaulted payments are now usable across sites, and virtual configurable products are handled smoothly.

8. Refined B2B Features
In Magento 2.4.8, catalog sharing is faster, API-based storefront changes reflect immediately, and sitemap generation is fixed. Not just this, purchase order approvals are more accurate, and GraphQL better supports permissions and custom attributes.

9. Fixes Across the Board
Magento 2.4.8 also resolves issues with APIs, checkout flow, cart logic, and UI inconsistencies. Instant Purchase, PayPal workflows, and shipping methods now work reliably across all intended scenarios.

Related Read: Magento 2.4.7 as an Upgrade Option for Your eCommerce Store

Magento 2.4.8 Readiness: Pro Tips & Partner-Led Support

Upgrading to Magento 2.4.8 isn’t always straightforward, especially when custom extensions, integrations, or outdated dependencies are involved. A misstep can lead to downtime or broken functionality. To avoid that, it’s essential to follow the key best practices.

1. Audit Extensions & Custom Code: Check all customizations and third-party extensions for compatibility with Magento 2.4.8. Update, patch, or replace unsupported components.

2. Review Release Notes: Understand what’s new in 2.4.8, including bug fixes, security updates, performance enhancements, and deprecated features.

3. Check System Requirements: Ensure your server supports the required versions of PHP, MySQL, Elasticsearch, Redis, and other dependencies.

4. Set Up a Staging Site: Clone your live site to a staging environment to test the upgrade process and minimize risks.

5. Prepare for Extension Updates: Identify bundled and third-party extensions that need updates and ensure they’re compatible with 2.4.8.

6. Backup Your Store: Take a complete backup of the codebase, database, media assets, and configurations to restore if needed.

7. Plan and Deploy to Production: Schedule the upgrade during low-traffic hours, follow a clear deployment strategy, and minimize downtime.

8. Test the Site Thoroughly after Deployment: Verify core functions like checkout, payments, customer accounts, admin panel, and third-party integrations.

Once you’re ready, the upgrade process involves four key stages: preparing your store, executing the upgrade (based on your current version), completing post-upgrade tasks, and thoroughly testing. 

Still, if you’re unsure at any stage or encounter challenges, partnering with an Adobe Commerce expert like Grazitti Interactive can help ensure a seamless, secure, and disruption-free upgrade. With our expertise, we help assess your current setup, resolve compatibility issues, handle complex migrations, and ensure your store is optimized even after the upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Ques 1: What does Magento 2.4.4 and 2.4.5 End-of-Life mean for my eCommerce store?

Answer: Magento 2.4.4 and 2.4.5 are reaching End-of-Life (EOL), which means Adobe will no longer provide security patches, quality fixes, or support for these versions. Stores running on these versions become more vulnerable to security threats, performance issues, and compliance risks. It signals upgrading to a supported version to ensure your store stays secure and competitive.

Ques 2. Why should I upgrade from Magento 2.4.4 or 2.4.5 to a newer version?

Answer: Upgrading ensures your store benefits from the latest security fixes, performance enhancements, and new features like better GraphQL support, improved accessibility, and compatibility with PHP 8.2+. It also keeps your store PCI-compliant and reduces the risk of vulnerabilities that affect customer trust.

Ques 3: What security risks do I face if I stay on Magento 2.4.4 or 2.4.5 after EOL?

Answer: Staying on EOL versions exposes your store to serious risks, including unpatched security vulnerabilities, data breaches, payment gateway issues, and potential malware attacks. Without official updates, even minor threats can escalate into major business disruptions.