Bridge35 moves selected Joomla 3 data into Joomla 5

Its job is to copy core content and selected account data from a Joomla 3 database into a clean Joomla 5 site while preserving article, category and tag IDs and aliases.

This situation exists because Joomla sites can accumulate outdated templates, extensions and database tables that owners do not want to carry into a rebuild. Joomla core provides an update path for upgrading an existing installation, with compatibility checks and database updates, but that is different from starting with a fresh site and selectively transferring content. A template override can change presentation, not migrate a database. Without an extension, teams generally use a staged core upgrade, export and import data manually, or write migration scripts.

According to the listing, Bridge35 goes beyond that core route by remapping groups, permissions and access levels, copying custom fields and tags, preserving bcrypt password hashes, and offering a pre-migration check. It does not move menus, modules, templates or third-party extension data such as K2, VirtueMart or Community Builder. The developer also claims an admin and CLI workflow, including php cli/joomla.php bridge35:migrate.

It is aimed at site owners or developers rebuilding a substantial Joomla 3 site on Joomla 5 while retaining native content and user accounts. A new site, a small site that can be rebuilt manually, or one dependent on third-party data has less reason to use it.

The listing marks Bridge35 as a paid download but gives no price. Sammy Awad has no visible review history here: the listing has zero reviews and supplies no broader directory track record. It says Joomla 5 is required and reports testing on Joomla 5.4.10, PHP 8.3 and MariaDB 11.4, but leaves backup procedures, media-file handling, migration of users beyond the listed items, and detailed failure recovery unanswered. Treat the rollback claim as the developer's claim and test on a copy first.

Listed on the Joomla Extensions Directory.