The Joomla Extension Manager handles installation, updating, and removal of all extensions — components, modules, plugins, templates, and language packs. Joomla 6 supports installation from a URL, an upload package, a local folder, or the official Joomla Extensions Directory (JED) directly from the admin panel.

Installing Extensions

Go to Admin → System → Install → Extensions. Four installation methods:

MethodBest for
Upload Package FileZIP downloaded from a developer's site
Install from URLDirect ZIP link — avoids local download
Install from FolderFiles already extracted on the server
Install from WebBrowse and install directly from JED

Managing Updates

Go to Admin → System → Update → Extensions. Joomla checks all installed extensions against their update servers. Extensions with available updates are listed with a one-click update button. Run Find Updates to refresh the list.

Manage Tab

The Manage tab lists every installed extension. From here you can:

  • Enable / Disable — plugins and modules can be toggled without uninstalling
  • Uninstall — removes files and database tables
  • Edit — open the extension's configuration
  • Filter by type — component, module, plugin, template, language, file, package

Database Check

After installing or updating extensions, run Admin → System → Maintenance → Database to check for schema mismatches. Click Fix to apply any pending SQL updates that were missed during installation.

Discover

The Discover tab scans the server for extension files that were uploaded manually (e.g. via FTP) without going through the Extension Manager. Select discovered extensions and click Install to register them in the database.

Security: Only install extensions from trusted sources. Check the JED reviews and the developer's update server URL before installing. Remove extensions you no longer use — inactive code is still a security surface.