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PHP is the backbone of WordPress, serving as the primary programming language that powers its core functionality, themes, and plugins. WordPress regularly updates its PHP version requirements to maintain optimal performance, security, and stability for the websites built on its platform.
At the time of writing this article, the latest major version of PHP is 8.3. The latest WordPress release of 6.6 recommends using PHP 7.4 and newer, but this WordPress release can work with PHP versions up to 7.2.24.
It’s important to note that PHP versions older than the recommended minimum have reached their End of Life (EOL) and negative ramifications can occur, which we will cover later in this article.
This guide explains PHP compatibility in WordPress, breaks down the latest PHP versions, explains what the WordPress 6.6 update means for PHP requirements, and gives you the lowdown on handling these technical aspects. By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of PHP’s role in your WordPress site and know how to fine-tune it for performance and security.
PHP is an open-source community project with its own release schedules independent of WordPress.
PHP versions are split into three categories of support:
You can still find every version of PHP ever released for download from the official website, but you shouldn’t use any versions that are past their End of Life on a live website. Always utilize the latest versions where possible, and never use PHP versions that are no longer receiving security fixes.
Here are some important details on the most recent PHP versions:
The allure of the latest release is undeniable, but it’s often necessary to wait until the kinks are ironed out as third-party developers catch up. Luckily, this usually doesn’t take long, and you should ideally never be more than two major releases behind.
Unlike with PHP, WordPress only maintains official ongoing support for the latest major release. Older versions may or may not be supported.
WordPress 6.6 “Dorsey”, the latest release, was released in mid-July 2024. This release is generally compatible with the latest versions of PHP discussed above, save for some plugins and themes pending updates.
While WordPress recommends using PHP 7.4 or higher and maintains compatibility with up to version 7.2.24, updating to the latest PHP release can significantly improve security and performance.
Newer versions often run faster and include built-in protections against common vulnerabilities. However, staying with older, still-supported versions might be necessary to stay compatible with specific plugins or themes.
The choice comes down to your preferences and current setup, but you shouldn’t use a version that’s past active support. Because WordPress only guarantees active support for the latest release, that’s the one you should always aim to run.
The next section will help you achieve this goal.
Updating your site’s PHP version is vital for maintaining security, speed, and compatibility. Outdated versions are vulnerable to attacks, lag in performance, and may clash with newer themes and plugins.
To check what version of PHP you’re currently on from the admin dashboard, go to Tools > Site Health > Info. Scroll down to the Server section and expand it to reveal your PHP version.
If you find you’re not running the latest version of PHP, you should update it immediately.
Before getting started, create a backup of your site just in case something goes wrong. If your hosting provider doesn’t offer backups as part of its services, you can use plugins like UpdraftPlus to create a full backup of your site. Just make sure you capture your database, plugins, themes, and media files.
Try out the new version in a staging environment first, rather than the live website. There’s more information about this later in the article, but in a nutshell, it’s the most reliable way to check for compatibility between the new PHP version, WordPress, and your installed plugins and themes. Managed WordPress hosting providers like Pressable offer staging environments for this reason.
When you’ve verified that your site works with the new version, just log into your hosting control panel and find the built-in PHP manager. The exact steps will vary between control panels but are broadly similar. For example, in cPanel, it’s under Tools > Software > MultiPHP Manager. In Pressable, it’s under Overview > PHP Version, as shown below:
Updating PHP through Pressable.
The process is this easy because any decent hosting provider should offer its customers access to the latest version of PHP for them to switch to. If not, you might have to contact them directly to request it.
After the update, test the live website’s functionality in both the front and back-end to see if everything works as intended. Make sure you review common WordPress functions, as well as, plugin features.
Sometimes, updating to the latest version of PHP can introduce issues to your site, but you can usually resolve them by:
Many PHP issues stem from compatibility problems with themes or plugins. The best way to prevent these is by testing updates in a staging environment before applying them to your live site.
When it comes to updating PHP, compatibility issues with themes and plugins are often the main culprits behind functionality hiccups. But don’t worry – there are ways to make sure your site plays nice with the latest PHP version before your audience ever sees a problem.
You might have heard about tools like the PHPCompatibilityWP that can scan your WordPress setup and flag potential compatibility issues. Many website owners find these tools helpful as a first step.
However, while these tools can offer useful insights, they’re not foolproof. They might raise false alarms or miss some tricky compatibility issues. The reality is that no automated tool can fully capture the intricacies of a live WordPress site.
That’s why creating a staging environment is your best bet. It’s like having a dress rehearsal for your PHP update. You get to see how the new version interacts with your unique mix of themes, plugins, and custom code, all without risking your live site.
With a staging environment, you can:
Keeping your WordPress site in top shape isn’t just about reacting to issues – it’s about preventing them.
Here are some best practices for keeping your site running smoothly:
Keeping your WordPress website on the latest supported PHP version lets you maintain security, performance, and compatibility. While updating PHP can seem intimidating, it’s fairly simple and it is an essential part of site maintenance.
It’s advisable to use a staging environment to test PHP updates before applying them to your live site. This allows you to identify and resolve potential compatibility issues with your themes, plugins, and custom code in a safe environment.
Pressable gives you easy access to staging environments where you can run comprehensive tests before committing to PHP updates.
Take the next step in optimizing your WordPress site’s performance and security. Get started with Pressable today and plan your update strategy!
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