Magento 2.4.0 Released: Elasticsearch Required, MySQL Search Removed

Adobe has released Magento 2.4.0, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the platform. This major release introduces important changes that affect infrastructure requirements, security configurations, and system compatibility. Retailers planning upgrades should understand these shifts and their implications for their business.

Elasticsearch Becomes Mandatory

The most substantial change in 2.4.0 is the requirement for Elasticsearch as the primary search engine. MySQL search functionality, previously available as an alternative, has been removed from this version. This architectural change reflects industry best practices and positions retailers for improved search performance and scalability.

For merchants currently relying on MySQL for product search, this represents a significant infrastructure change. Elasticsearch provides superior full-text search capabilities, relevance tuning, and performance at scale. However, implementation requires new infrastructure considerations and operational expertise.

The shift towards Elasticsearch reflects the platform's maturation. Modern e-commerce demands sophisticated search capabilities that MySQL alone cannot efficiently provide. By making Elasticsearch mandatory, Adobe ensures all merchants benefit from enterprise-grade search functionality from the outset.

Two-Factor Authentication Enabled by Default

Security receives significant attention in 2.4.0 with two-factor authentication (2FA) now enabled by default for admin accounts. This change strengthens the security posture of all Magento installations by default, reducing the attack surface for administrative access.

Merchants should plan for the administrative and operational changes this introduces. Staff managing the platform must be prepared for the 2FA authentication workflow. Whilst this represents an additional step in the login process, the security benefits substantially outweigh this minor inconvenience.

Enhanced Technology Support

Version 2.4.0 introduces support for PHP 7.4 and MySQL 8.0, bringing compatibility with modern technology stacks. This allows merchants to leverage recent developments in database and programming language improvements, enhancing performance and security.

Retailers using older technology versions should begin planning their infrastructure upgrades. Moving to newer PHP and MySQL versions requires careful testing but delivers benefits including improved performance, better security, and improved compatibility with modern extensions and integrations.

Implications for Merchants

These changes represent a maturation of the Magento platform, but they also require merchants to evaluate their infrastructure and operational readiness. Questions to consider include:

• Is your infrastructure capable of supporting Elasticsearch?
• Are your development and operations teams prepared for 2FA management?
• Can your hosting environment support PHP 7.4 and MySQL 8.0?

Merchants upgrading from earlier Magento 2 versions should conduct thorough compatibility assessments. Extensions and customisations may require updates to work with 2.4.0. Planning upgrades with sufficient time for testing and remediation prevents disruptions to business operations.

Looking Forward

Magento 2.4.0 represents a platform that continues to evolve in response to market needs and technological advancement. The focus on security, search capability, and modern technology support positions merchants for success. For retailers ready to embrace these changes, version 2.4.0 offers a robust foundation for e-commerce growth.