On November 28, 2022, the community-supported model of PHP 7.4 reached Finish of Life (EOL) standing, that means the workforce of PHP builders who frequently preserve the coding language in secure model releases now not present bug fixes, safety patches, or crucial safety updates for that model.

Whereas that’s par for the course with regards to PHP—presently every PHP model is supported for 2 years after its preliminary launch and absolutely deprecated after three—the PHP 7.4 EOL is exclusive in that WordPress, together with a variety of themes and plugins, are not but absolutely suitable with newer PHP variations (8.0+).

The right way to Test Which Model of PHP You’re Utilizing

Prolonged Assist for WP Engine and Flywheel Clients 

Whereas we desire that every one of our clients improve to the newest variations of WordPress and PHP,  we additionally perceive that doing so proper now may result in crucial errors on their web sites.  

That’s the very last thing we wish, however on the similar time, WP Engine has all the time labored arduous to stop our clients from utilizing unsupported variations of PHP (or another software program for that matter) as it may open up their websites, and our platform, to safety dangers. 

With that in thoughts, WP Engine has invested in ongoing safety help for PHP 7.4. This can permit all of our clients—throughout WP Engine and Flywheel—to remain on PHP 7.4 by way of 2024, whereas nonetheless protecting their websites and our platform safe. It’s additionally presently the one such providing for prolonged PHP 7.4 help by a managed platform supplier. 

Whereas we haven’t decided a deadline for purchasers to cease utilizing PHP 7.4, we imagine further time will afford them, the broader WordPress neighborhood, and particular person plugin and theme builders with the time they should resolve open incompatibilities.

As a managed supplier that’s deeply concerned with the WordPress neighborhood, we perceive the present ache factors surrounding PHP compatibility and look at this as a possibility to offer our clients with a much-needed service—prolonged safety help.

When you’ve got any questions, please attain out to our Assist groups by way of the WP Engine Person Portal, the Flywheel App, or any of the choices listed right here. 

Are You Able to Replace to Your PHP? 

Whereas compatibility points are certainly one thing you have to be conscious of, WP Engine clients are capable of replace from PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.2, if they want to take action. 

No matter identified compatibility points, WP Engine all the time recommends that website updates be performed in a staging or growth surroundings to make sure your dwell website stays secure. This will even provide the possibility to check for compatibility points earlier than pushing your up to date website dwell. 

Performing the replace by yourself is an easy course of—simply log in to your consumer portal and observe the steps offered right here. Should you nonetheless have questions you possibly can log in to your account to contact help. 

What Are the Advantages of PHP 8.2?

There are a variety of enhancements and new options that include PHP 8.2, together with: 

Whereas normally, operating an up-to-date model of PHP will pace up your website, it additionally prevents dangerous actors from profiting from safety vulnerabilities that may very well be lurking in older PHP variations—a significant factor in our determination to put money into prolonged PHP 7.4 help.  

Conserving Your WordPress Websites—and Your PHP Model—Secure From Vulnerabilities

With WP Engine’s prolonged help for PHP 7.4, clients needn’t fear about vulnerabilities in that model (and no present vulnerabilities have been flagged). 

That mentioned, all WP Engine and Flywheel clients are presently utilizing PHP 7.4 or 8.2, and shifting away from older variations of PHP is one thing it is best to start to contemplate.

You may take a better have a look at PHP compatibility with particular WordPress variations right here, and you’ll find extra details about checking and updating your PHP model right here.

Need to discover out extra? Communicate to a WP Engine WordPress professional at the moment, or take a look at our PHP Model and Improve Information for extra particulars.