Custom PHP Version on Staging Sites To Test Updates Without Crashing the Live Site

Updating PHP is terrifyingl.

You know you need to do it for security and speed. But you also know that one old plugin or theme conflict can cause a “White Screen of Death” instantly.

So you delay it. The risk of breaking the site is just too high.

Move the risk to a sandbox.

WP Remote lets you create a staging site that runs on a different PHP version than your live site. You can test the upgrade in a safe environment, find the bugs, and fix them before they ever touch production.

How to Simulate a PHP Upgrade

You don’t need to mess with server settings or .htaccess files.

Here is the 30-second test:

1. From your sites dashboard, go to the Staging section.
2. Click “Create Staging Site.”
3. Select your most recent backup.
4. Change the PHP Version: In the dropdown, select the version you want to test (e.g., PHP 8.0 or 8.2), regardless of what the live site is running.

5. Click “Continue.”

WP Remote builds a clone of your site running on the new PHP engine. You can now browse the site, check the logs, and verify that everything works.

Fix the Conflicts Safely

If the staging site crashes, it’s not a crisis. It’s just data.

You can dig into the error logs, update the conflicting plugins, or swap out the code. You solve the compatibility issues in private.

Once the staging site is stable on the new version, you know exactly what needs to be done on the live site. You can execute the real upgrade with a checklist, not a prayer.

Stop Leaving Clients on Slow PHP Versions

That fear of the “White Screen” is the reason your portfolio is lagging behind on performance.

This feature removes that barrier.

You can proactively test and upgrade every client to the latest PHP version. You make their sites faster and more secure, standardizing your stack without ever risking a minute of downtime.