WP STAGING | PRO Changelog

What’s New

How are you doing today? Are you getting enough sleep?🛌 Drinking enough water?🥛 Eating some fruits🍊 here and there? Changelogs are fantastic but We we also wanted to use this space to remind you to be kind to yourself and those around you. That’s all. Have a great day and enjoy the latest updates: 😀

6.1.3 Release April 9, 2025

• 📦 New Tested for up to WordPress v. 6.8.
• 🛡️ Sec Prevent authorized users from deleting admin user on the live and staging sites. (Pro) #4247
• 🚀 Perf Disable autoload option for wpstg_staging_sites field. #4098
• ⚡️ Enh Remove the notice header from general backup notice. #4237
• ⚡️ Enh Simplify the restore tool login process. (Pro) #4117
• ⚡️ Enh Remove google libraries and create a new library for uploading backup to google drive remote storage. (Pro) #3729
• ⚡️ Enh Release the restore tool as a non-PHP file to prevent false malware detection. (Pro) #4183
• ⚡️ Enh If no primary key exists in a table, flag log entry as warning and not info. #4194
• ⚡️ Enh Improve error message for backup upload preparation failure. #4045
• 🐛 Fix Some buttons were not translated. #4180
• 🐛 Fix We’ve improved how WP Staging handles large files during backups. If a backup step takes too long, WP Staging will automatically allow extra time for it to finish. If it still can’t complete successfully, the backup will safely stop instead of running forever. #4193
• 🐛 Fix If a database collation is missing during table restore, use the `general` variant for that table restore. Also add a filter `wpstg.database.importer.replace_collation` to restore with a specific variant if the collation is missing during restore. #4199
• 🐛 Fix No directories listed during staging process if wp-content folder is symlinked on Flywheel hosting. Enhanced symbolic link handling. #4173
• 🐛 Fix Prevent unauthorized access to REST APIs on the staging site to avoid potential exploits during plugin updates. (Pro) #4256
• 🐛 Fix Incorrect backup download URL when downloading backups on WP.com and Flywheel hosted sites. #4161
• 🐛 Fix Automatically disable DEBUG constants on staging sites to prevent unwanted debug warnings. #4175
• 🐛 Fix Add an alternative way to copy files during cloning and push when php native `copy` method fails on some system. #4144
• 🐛 Fix Some older compressed backups couldn’t be restored due to a file header error. This update fixes the issue so those backups can now be restored properly. #4241
• 🐛 Fix Backup older than version Pro 5.0.4 or Free 3.0.4 is considered v2 backup, thus can not be restored. #4243
• 🐛 Fix Enhance error handling and response messaging for failed license activation attempts. #3954
• UX: Fix the dark mode issue on the `Restore Tool` page. #4215
• UX: Visual improvement of the restore script download page. #4218
• 🛠️ Dev Increase github actions ‘timeout-minutes’ for playwright tests. #4222
• 🛠️ Dev Skip staging site tests on playwright for WordPress.com like environment. Also skip email related tests on Windows as email catcher is not yet implemented on Windows. #4220
• 🛠️ Dev Improve v2 backup specification docs. #4245
• 🛠️ Dev Playwright pro test are failing because of MS oneDrive. (Pro) #4163

6.1.2 Release March 13, 2025

• 📦 New Add support for multipart emails (HTML and plain text) in email notifications. #3856
• 🐛 Fix Prevent logging out Google Drive from all sites if connection of one site is removed. Don’t revoke google drive token, only remove data from db. (Pro) #4181
• 🐛 Fix Handle toggling of DB Privileges popup message while creating staging site. (Pro) #4141
• 🐛 Fix Remove unnecessary styles and scripts on WP Staging admin pages. #4108
• 🐛 Fix Automatically update outdated plugins on the staging site while creating, updating and resetting a staging site. #4123
• 🐛 Fix Remove the ETA from the backup process locking modal. #4133
• 🐛 Fix Ensure that Pro features are available for the `Legacy Developer Unlimited License` plan. (Pro) #4149
• 🐛 Fix WP cron does not work on staging site – Scheduled posts aren’t working on staging sites. #4131
• 🐛 Fix Remove duplicate file headers in V2 backup files (Repair function) and allow backup restore even if there are duplicate file headers. #4152
• 🐛 Fix Choose a unique staging site name that is not already in use. #4129
• UX: Remove fixed width from backup restore button. #4178
• 🛠️ Dev Automatic login to the wp staging dev stack. #2321
• 🛠️ Dev Update Ubuntu OS version to 24.04 for Github Workflows. #4136
• 🛠️ Dev Basic cloning and backup e2e tests are failing. #4169
• 🛠️ Dev Refactor datatabase cloning logic to backup logic. #4067
• 🛠️ Dev Add wp core independent update check. Don’t use wp core update API anymore. #3653
• 🛠️ Dev Refactor and DRY FilesystemScanner Code to be used in both Backup and Cloning logic. #4126

6.1.1 Release February 24, 2025

• 📦 New Compatible to WordPress 6.7.2.
• 📦 New Introducing our new Auto Update Plugins optional feature in Advanced Settings! Now, whenever you set up a staging site, outdated plugins can be automatically refreshed in the background, ensuring you can immediately preview and test your updated website with ease. Enjoy a smoother, more efficient update process and a hassle free testing experience. (Pro) #3719
• ⚡️ Enh Add preview setting for “backup compression” in free version. #4102
• ⚡️ Enh Write site URL into header of wp-config.php for new staging sites. #2320
• ⚡️ Enh Link each pro feature in the FAQ footer to the docs. #3579
• ⚡️ Enh Clarify what is backed up with “Backup Other Files In WP Root” option. (Pro) #4050
• ⚡️ Enh Refactor backup background processor to be DRY and less complex. #4034
• 🐛 Fix Automatically activate free version after its installation when pro version is already active. (Pro) #3971
• 🐛 Fix Better handling the backup process elapsed time when the browser tab is inactive in background. #4064
• 🐛 Fix Update backups retention number after deleting remote backup. (Pro) #4083
• 🐛 Fix Backup file can’t be downloaded in WordPress Playground. #4082
• 🐛 Fix Remove warnings in backup debug logs. #4086
• 🐛 Fix Display the ongoing progress percentage while downloading the backup from remote storage. (Pro) #4110
• 🐛 Fix Properly handle HTML entities and preserve line breaks while sending backup email notifications. #3431
• 🐛 Fix Show accurate tables count during staging site creation. #4113
• 🐛 Fix Missing initial backup index to restore database with the WP Staging Restore tool. #4120
• 🐛 Fix PHP “Uncaught TypeError” and remove useless logs for backup to Microsoft OneDrive. (Pro) #4104
• 🐛 Fix Undefined property: stdClass::$error – File: wp-staging-pro/Pro/License/Licensing.php Line: 193. (Pro) #4135
• 🐛 Fix Prevent duplicate file headers for database when including large database in multiple requests in the backup. #4150
• UX: Enhance the appearance of the basic installation notice and ensure the user is redirected to the install page if the basic version is not installed or is incompatible. (Pro) #4101
• 🐛 Fix Improve design of some modal. #4029
• 🛠️ Dev Prepare pre-staging `Setup` ajax request as a first step to refactor the cloning feature to be more robust. #4033
• 🛠️ Dev Move db backup related logic from playwright test to roadrunner. #4043

6.1.0 Release January 28, 2025

• Skipped

6.0.0 Release January 28, 2025

• 📦 New Introduced the v2 backup format with enhanced error handling capabilities and a highly efficient compression algorithm. This new format outperforms traditional compression methods, such as zip, in both speed and reliability. Additionally, it incorporates advanced error correction algorithms for improved data integrity. #3804
• 📦 New Implement Microsoft OneDrive backup remote cloud storage. (Pro) #1748
• 📦 New Add link to WP Staging knowledge-base in UI footer. #4089
• 🐛 Fix Bypass optimizer while email sending debug logs in basic version. #4080
• 🐛 Fix Tooltip is not vertically aligned with the label text. #4074
• 🐛 Fix Google Drive Scheduled Backup Fails Due refresh token mechanism not functioning properly. (Pro) #4058
• 🐛 Fix Expanding Other Root Files selection is jumping. (Pro) #4073

5.10.0 Release January 13, 2025

• 📦 New Send email reminders about existing staging and development sites to help prevent outdated sites from remaining active, enhancing security. (Pro) #3296
• 📦 New Make it compatible with WordPress Playground. #3544
• ⚡️ Enh Rename GET parameter ‘sub’ to ‘sub-tab’ #2449
• ⚡️ Enh Disable all Pro features if license key is disabled. (Pro) #3591
• 🐛 Fix Unexpected end tag error in Newsfeed Validator. #4057
• 🐛 Fix Replace breakdance page builder plugin data URLs when restoring a backup to a different domain. #3979
• 🐛 Fix Bypass additional login on the staging site when accessing it using a magic login link.(Pro) #4047
• 🐛 Fix Display a tooltip next to the `wp-content’ folder if it is symlinked to another location. #1821
• 🐛 Fix Show an admin message if the site is hosted in the elementor cloud. #3268
• 🐛 Fix Handle type error listing staging sites due to corrupted staging site option. Also add actions to fix and report corrupted staging sites option. #3955
• 🐛 Fix Url params do not update correctly when navigating through settings’s pages #4040
• 🐛 Fix Ensure the staging site title is truncated gracefully if it exceeds the maximum length. #4038
• 🐛 Fix Verify user privileges for external database before creating staging site. (Pro) #3981
• 🐛 Fix Disable symlink to the uploads folder when symlink is unavailable or restricted by the hosting provider to prevent potential fatal errors during staging site creation.(Pro) #4013
• 🐛 Fix Restorer tool fails to restore large database files. #4021
• 🐛 Fix Redirection to 127.0.0.1 or a custom domain after backup restore. #3277
• 🐛 Fix Beautify Update Modal using CSS #4019
• 🐛 Fix Root folders selection link does not work in free version (console error). #3998
• 🐛 Fix Show the license notice exclusively on the license page of the staging site. #4056
• 🐛 Fix Replace the base64_decode function in the restorer tool to avoid being flagged as malware. #4015
• UX: Improve backup tab loading skeleton while deleting backup. #3638
• UX: Beautify `Test Connection` loader for remote storages. (Pro) #4027
• 🛠️ Dev DRY database restore code between plugin and standalone restorer. #3994
• 🛠️ Dev Add multisite and other envs support for playwright. #4005
• 🛠️ Dev DRY `general error` and `contact us` modal. #3991

5.9.4 Release December 9, 2024

• ⚡️ Enh Improve backup transfer speed 500% when downloading backup file from remote server. #3385
• ⚡️ Enh Disable `MalCare` firewall on the staging site. #3939
• ⚡️ Enh Add WP Staging main menu on multisite main site. #3941
• ⚡️ Enh Add number of activations and some clarifications on the license activation page. #3805
• ⚡️ Enh Add tooltip explanations for backup remote storage settings fields. #3516
• ⚡️ Enh Disable backup upload 2FA option as default and create a constant to activate it #4011
• 🐛 Fix Upgrade link position broken on basic version for wp root files selection before backup. #3996
• 🐛 Fix Ensure proper backup retention for cloud storage backups running in the background. (Pro) #3957
• 🐛 Fix Optimize lazy loading of placeholders when rendering DOM elements. #3938
• 🐛 Fix Selection of Other WP root folders is not intuitive during backup creation. (Pro) #3850
• 🐛 Fix Redirect User to Install page after activating `WP Staging Pro` if core version not installed. (Pro) #3748
• 🐛 Fix Log the list of `Must-Use’ plugins and `Drop-In’ files in the system information. #3961
• 🐛 Fix Bring back `Mails Settings` tab on staging site `Settings` page. (Pro) #3985
• 🐛 Fix Add a rule to whitelist all plugins for internal use in optimizer. #3926
• 🐛 Fix Prevent extraction of already extracted file which could happen if a file was scanned multiple times while backup creation. #3920
• 🐛 Fix Handle backup listing when backup is missing data in backup metadata. #3895
• 🐛 Fix Display a message when a higher license plan upgrade is required on the temporary login page. (Pro) #3942
• 🐛 Fix Missing semicolon in require statement threw error in php 8.1. Added phpcs rule rule to check for missing semicolons after including files. #4009
• UX: Improve `Generate Login Link` UI to make it look better. (Pro) #3904
• UX: Improve the temporary login modal for different screen resolutions. #3944
• UX: Disable backup upload button until upload form is used. #3947
• 🛠️ Dev Fix issue with deleting staging site when running e2e tests for basic version. #3999
• 🛠️ Dev Make dev plugin loadable on testing domains. #3977
• 🛠️ Dev Fix Playwright tests for temporary login link creation. #4003

5.9.3 Release November 25, 2024

• 📦 New Supports WordPress 6.7.1
• 📦 New Secure backup upload form before starting upload by OTP sending via email. #3857
• UX: Improve rendering log entries in log process modal. #3877
• 🛠️ Dev Handle loading of assets when Dev Basic is enabled in the free version. #3936
• 🛠️ Dev Prepare database importing code to be DRY so it can be used in Standalone Restorer tool. #3917
• 🛠️ Dev Update doc to show how to chose playwright tests. #3691
• 🛠️ Dev playwright command ‘make e2e_playwright_ui’ not working properly. #3896
• 🛠️ Dev Reduce timeout-minutes for github e2e test and display tests duration when debug mode is enabled. #3464

5.9.2 Release November 14, 2024

• 📦 New Supports WordPress 6.7
• 📦 New Add a new confirmation modal before “update staging site” to prevent accidentally overwriting a staging site. #2465
• 📦 New Add filter `wpstg.backup.restore.use_current_scheme_on_same_site` to use current http(s) scheme instead of scheme in the backup when restoring on same site. #3911
• ⚡️ Enh Create backup storage folder on plugin activation. #3899
• ⚡️ Enh Improved logs in case of failure of WP Staging jobs. #3886
• ⚡️ Enh Beautify “Backup Completed” modal. #3780
• ⚡️ Enh Make the logs in the logs modal filterable by a log type button. #3784
• ⚡️ Enh Make more warning messages translatable (i18n). #3892
• 🐛 Fix Remove wpstg-blank-loader.js from being loaded on frontend. #3440
• 🐛 Fix Optimizer plugin is not updated when free and pro version is different. #3888
• 🐛 Fix Exclude the root directory from scanning during the cloning process. #3897
• 🐛 Fix Don’t show cache related admin notice on staging site when `WP_CACHE` is set to true. #3860
• 🐛 Fix German translation can break layout of some modals. #3908 #3923
• 🛠️ Dev Extend playwright e2e for testing WP Staging on Windows. #3874
• 🛠️ Dev Webdriver e2e “Pro Single Site Cloning” failing. #3912
• 🛠️ Dev Improve usage of property_exists() #3865

5.9.1 Release October 30, 2024

• 📦 New Now supports cloning and pushing sites where the wp-content folder is located outside the main WordPress directory, as well as sites with a renamed wp-content folder. #1989
• 📦 New Add links to quick guide and support on WP Staging plugins listing page. #3808
• ⚡️ Enh Use our modern backup architecture for deleting and editing a staging site to provide a better and faster workflow experience. #3737
• ⚡️ Enh Merge all backup restore filters into a single new filter, deprecating the others. One filter to rule them all… and make devs’ lives easier. #3717
• ⚡️ Enh Improve wordings for several notices. #3781
• 🐛 Fix Deleting an unfinished staging site, does not delete its folder. #3785
• 🐛 Fix Filesystem scanner keeps on running during backup creation. #3902
• 🐛 Fix Autosave WordPress `Permalinks` after creating a staging site. #3618
• 🐛 Fix Files index error due to invalid files count in multipart backups. backup is still restoreable as this is only a logging error! #3872
• 🐛 Fix Remove wordpress.com related messages. #3641
• 🐛 Fix Rare fatal error “Call to undefined function apache_get_modules” after the push process. (Pro) #3763
• UX: Remove the advanced settings on the update staging site page. #3768
• 🛠️ Dev Add our own playwright image with bundled PHP for efficent e2e testing with Playwright. #3867
• 🛠️ Dev Move unit tests to a new location. #3881
• 🛠️ Dev Prepare multipart backup feature for v2 backups. Change file extension for database parts. #3876
• 🛠️ Dev Add newsfeed validator. #3803

5.9.0 Release October 21, 2024

• 📦 New Added magic login links for both production and staging sites with customizable expiration times and role-based access. Ideal for granting temporary access to external developers or clients who need quick, limited-time access to your WordPress site. Read more: https://wp-staging.com/create-magic-login-links (Pro) #3582
• ⚡️ Enh Improve error messages for expired login link and increase the expiration time. #3816
• ⚡️ Enh Add License key as authentication method for WP Staging Restore tool. #3505
• 🐛 Fix Make some missing string translateable. #3764
• 🐛 Fix Change twitter logo to X #3852
• 🐛 Fix Unable to create and view backups when WordPress root directory is not readable. #3841
• 🐛 Fix Knowledgebase and What’s new blocks are not looking good under Settings, System Info and License page. #3831
• 🐛 Fix Make sure that backup is restored properly when `W3 Total Cache` is installed on production site. #2451
• 🐛 Fix Download Backup Modal has broken css. (Pro) #3843
• 🐛 Fix “PHP Fatal error: Uncaught TypeError: property_exists()” with Google Drive auth. (Pro) #3862
• 🐛 Fix A typo in I18n.php file #3766
• 🐛 Fix Database cloning doesn’t work if using mixed upper and lower cases in database prefix when MySQL uses the setting `lower_case_table_names`. #3817
• 🐛 Fix Cannot restore database when the last CONSTRAINT is not correctly replaced in a CREATE TABLE query. #3794
• 🐛 Fix Handle temporary login link creation properly after creating staging site. (Pro) #3767
• 🐛 Fix Main menu navigation not working during development. #3835
• 🛠️ Dev Playwright tests failing because beforeEach was not working #3833
• 🛠️ Dev Add unit tests workflow for Windows on Github CI. #3486
• 🛠️ Dev DRY Github workflow files by adding input option to select PHP version. #3828
• 🛠️ Dev Move docker-compose*.yml files to ./docker/* to cleanup repo root. #3840
• 🛠️ Dev Fix playwright test failing due to wrong message detection on expired link. #3869