There should be no problem with MySQL to MariaDB (Maria is based on MySQL).
All you should do is back up your current site with Akeeba Backup. Then restore the site, to the MariaDB with Akeeba Kickstart. That's the easiest way.
The alternative is to export from MySQL with phpMyAdmin and import to MariaDB with phpMyAdmin.
I would suggest you test both methods on a copy of your site. You could install a local server like WAMPServer (my recommendation) on your PC, and import your site's database there, using the above method(s). there. You can also test the update to J5 to ensure it all works.
See https://docs.joomla.org/Copying_a_Joomla_website. Whether you do the local server method, or to a new folder on your live web server, the 'copy' method will work in both cases.
I had a Joomla 4.4.5 version running on MySQL 5.7.x recently, and my web host did the change to MySQL 8 with no intervention from me, and it works as it always has (and even noticeably a bit more responsive/faster). I haven't yet migrated to 5.x for this site, as I'm considering a change of host in any case, decided at a time when the current web host hadn't made any decision about MySQL 8, but then suddenly is doing so, 6 months later.
All you should do is back up your current site with Akeeba Backup. Then restore the site, to the MariaDB with Akeeba Kickstart. That's the easiest way.
The alternative is to export from MySQL with phpMyAdmin and import to MariaDB with phpMyAdmin.
I would suggest you test both methods on a copy of your site. You could install a local server like WAMPServer (my recommendation) on your PC, and import your site's database there, using the above method(s). there. You can also test the update to J5 to ensure it all works.
See https://docs.joomla.org/Copying_a_Joomla_website. Whether you do the local server method, or to a new folder on your live web server, the 'copy' method will work in both cases.
I had a Joomla 4.4.5 version running on MySQL 5.7.x recently, and my web host did the change to MySQL 8 with no intervention from me, and it works as it always has (and even noticeably a bit more responsive/faster). I haven't yet migrated to 5.x for this site, as I'm considering a change of host in any case, decided at a time when the current web host hadn't made any decision about MySQL 8, but then suddenly is doing so, 6 months later.
Statistics: Posted by AMurray — Tue Jun 25, 2024 9:30 pm