How to Use Joomla Discover to Find Manually Uploaded Extensions
Know what Discover does
Joomla Discover finds extension files already present in Joomla's extension directories that have not gone through the normal installation process. It is useful after intentionally uploading uncompressed extension files directly to the server.
Back up before manual placement
Take a current backup before copying extension files into a live site and use staging when possible. Manual placement bypasses normal package handling, so files must go in the correct extension-type directory exactly as the developer expects.
Upload the uncompressed files
Place the extension files in the appropriate Joomla directory using SFTP, SSH, or the hosting file manager. For example, a site template belongs beneath /templates. Do not scatter package contents across directories unless documented.
Open Discover
Current Joomla administrator help uses System → Install → Discover. Open this screen after the files are in place.
Run Discover
Click Discover in the toolbar. Joomla scans extension directories for compatible extensions whose files are present but which are not installed in Joomla's extension records.
Review the result
Check the discovered item's name, type, version, location, author, and folder information where shown. If nothing appears, recheck the destination, manifest, compatibility, and whether the extension is already installed.
Do not confuse finding with installing
Discovering only identifies the unregistered files. To register/install the extension, select it and use Install. If your goal is only to confirm Joomla sees the uploaded extension, stop after verifying the correct item appears.
Verify if you install it
After using Install, confirm the extension under System → Manage → Extensions and test it. Discover is not a substitute for the developer's installation instructions; some complex extensions require normal package installation.
Need More Help with Joomla?
Still having trouble? Open a support ticket with QuantaCade Support and we'll be happy to help where we can.
Support priority is given to QuantaCade products, services, and customers. However, we're also happy to assist fellow Joomla users with general Joomla questions and troubleshooting when possible.
QuantaCade is an independent Joomla extension developer and is not official Joomla support. Some issues involving third-party extensions, hosting environments, server configurations, or other systems outside our development control may be beyond what we're able to resolve.