What’s New in Magento 2.4.4?

Magento enthusiasts, prepare to enhance your store with Adobe's latest release! Magento 2.4.4 is now available, offering improved functionalities, optimized performance, and a host of minor bug fixes. Released on April 12, 2022, this update introduces new features designed to elevate your e-commerce operations and customer interactions.

  • Enhanced security measures to protect against emerging threats.
  • Improved support for PHP 7.4 and MySQL 8.x for enhanced performance and stability.
  • Updates to core modules and dependencies to ensure compatibility with the latest technologies.

Magento 2.4.4 Release – Key Highlights

Major highlights of the latest Magento 2.4.4 release include significant updates and enhancements aimed at improving security, performance, and user experience.

  • HTTPS is now enabled by default for the Magento 2 storefront, providing enhanced security.
  • Magento 2.4.4 supports Elasticsearch 7.16 and OpenSearch 1.2, ensuring compatibility with the latest search technologies.
  • Support for the latest PHP 8.1 version, enhancing performance and security.
  • The latest Adobe Commerce 2.4.4 now supports PWA Studio v.12.3.0, offering improved PWA functionalities.
  • Adobe has removed all vendor-bundled extensions from the latest release of Magento, except for Braintree, streamlining the platform.
  • Page Builder in Magento 2.4.4 now supports adding alt texts for images, improving accessibility and SEO.
  • Includes numerous GraphQL enhancements and performance improvements for better API interactions.
  • Fixed hundreds of known issues in the latest version, ensuring better overall performance and stability.

Everything You Need to Know About Magento 2.4.4 Release:

The Magento 2.4.4 release includes essential updates and enhancements, improving security, performance, and overall user experience. Key features include support for the latest PHP versions and various performance optimizations.

Magento 2.4.4 Release — Detailed Overview of Enhancements

The Magento 2.4.4 release features detailed enhancements, including significant security updates and performance improvements, aimed at optimizing functionality and user satisfaction.

Security Enhancements

Adobe has put significant effort into enhancing the security of Magento with the 2.4.4 release. This version includes several major security improvements, such as:

  • Session IDs are no longer stored in the Magento database, enhancing security and efficiency.
  • OAuth access tokens and password reset tokens are now encrypted in the database for improved security.
  • Google reCAPTCHA support has been added for coupon codes, reducing fraudulent activities.
  • Secure URLs (HTTPS) are enabled by default for both storefront and admin, ensuring a secure browsing experience.
  • The size and number of API resources that can be requested by users through Web API are now limited, preventing overloading and improving performance.

Platform enhancements

Adobe has introduced several platform enhancements in the latest Magento version, providing valuable updates for developers. Here are some of the key improvements in this release.

  • All project libraries and dependencies are now fully compatible with PHP 8.1.
  • Magento 2.4.4 supports Elasticsearch 7.16 and OpenSearch 1.2, ensuring robust search capabilities.
  • Upgraded the JQuery library to version 3.6 and the JQuery-UI library to version 1.13.0 for enhanced functionality.
  • Supports TinyMCE 5.8.1 and has removed TinyMCE 4 from the codebase for a more modern text editing experience.
  • PHPUnit has been upgraded to the latest version, 9.5.x, for improved testing capabilities.

Performance & Scalability Enhancements

The Magento 2.4.4 release is designed to deliver optimal performance, significantly enhancing order processing throughput and optimizing message queues. According to the release notes, order processing efficiency has improved sixfold in this latest version.

  • Introduced the AsyncOrder feature to enhance performance and efficiency.
  • Added the ‘Enable Inventory Check On Cart Load’ configuration option to skip inventory checks for a faster checkout process.
  • Memory limit for cart operations now supports handling a higher volume of input variables.
  • Magento 2.4.4 supports deferring total calculation during checkout, improving sales rules processing.
  • PWA Studio v.12.3.0 is now fully compatible with Adobe Commerce 2.4.4, offering advanced PWA capabilities.

GraphQL

This Magento release includes the following GraphQL enhancements:

  • GraphQL in Magento 2.4.4 now fully supports negotiable quotes.
  • Enhanced performance of GraphQL cart operations with faster response times.
  • The webonyx GraphQL library has been upgraded to version 14.9 in the latest Magento release.
  • Integration with New Relic in GraphQL now includes descriptive transaction names for easier debugging.

Vendor-Bundled Extensions

Magento 2.4.4 introduces enhancements and updates to payment methods, improving security and user experience.

PayPal Payment Enhancements

There are several PayPal payment enhancements included in the latest Magento 2.4.4 release, detailed below:

  • Added support for PayPal Venmo as a payment option.
  • Introduced location-based Pay Later options for shoppers.
  • Merchants can now simulate shopper experiences by setting the shopper’s country.
  • Enhanced checkout page displays accurate information on installment numbers and amounts for Pay Later transactions.
  • Improved user interface for selecting installment plans during checkout with Pay Later options.
  • Enhanced security features for PayPal Venmo transactions, ensuring secure payments.

Improved Accessibility

Magento 2.4.4 introduces improved accessibility features to enhance user experience for all customers, including those with disabilities.

  • Enhanced keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility for better accessibility.
  • Improved color contrast and visual design for better readability and usability.
  • Updated focus management and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes for improved interaction.
  • Implemented WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance enhancements for better accessibility standards.
  • Enhanced form fields and error handling for better usability and accessibility.

Major Issues Fixed in Magento 2.4.4

Adobe has addressed numerous known issues in the Magento 2.4.4 release, resolving major bugs and improving stability. Some of the significant fixes in this latest Magento version include:

  • Resolved accessibility issues on Magento's cart and checkout page navigation.
  • Fixed issues with adding bundle products with fixed prices and two options to the cart.
  • Improved shopping cart behavior to revert to the previous quantity if an invalid quantity is entered.
  • Addressed various issues related to the JavaScript loading of customer data.
  • Added an option to display more informative content when customers enter an invalid gift card.
  • Resolved the issue where watermark images with transparent backgrounds displayed a white background.
  • Fixed product indexing issues in the latest Magento 2.4.4 version.
  • Resolved errors encountered during payment completion using the Express payment method.
  • Fixed issues related to product ratings in the product list view.
  • Enhanced performance and stability of the product search and indexing functionalities.
  • Improved caching mechanisms to enhance storefront loading speeds.

Magento 2.4.4 – Official Release Notes

Magento store owners and developers can download the Magento 2.4.4 release notes directly from the official website using the following links:

Magento 2.4.4 release brings significant improvements and updates for store owners and developers in 2022. It's crucial for store owners to upgrade from Magento 2.4.3 to leverage advanced Magento features until the next release. Stay informed with Meetanshi for the latest Magento updates and share your thoughts on this release in the comments. Don't forget to spread the word within the Magento community through social media channels.