On November 28, 2022, the community-supported model of PHP 7.4 reached Finish of Life (EOL) standing, which means the crew of PHP builders who often keep the coding language in secure model releases now not present bug fixes, safety patches, or essential safety updates for that model.
Whereas that’s par for the course on the subject of PHP—at the moment every PHP model is supported for 2 years after its preliminary launch and totally deprecated after three—the PHP 7.4 EOL is exclusive in that WordPress, together with a variety of themes and plugins, are not but totally appropriate with newer PHP variations (8.0+).
The way to Verify Which Model of PHP You’re Utilizing
Prolonged Assist for WP Engine and Flywheel Prospects
Whereas we choose 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 essential 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 exhausting to forestall our clients from utilizing unsupported variations of PHP (or some other software program for that matter) as it will possibly open up their websites, and our platform, to safety dangers.
With that in thoughts, WP Engine has invested in ongoing safety assist for PHP 7.4. It will enable 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 at the moment the one such providing for prolonged PHP 7.4 assist by a managed platform supplier.
Whereas we haven’t decided a deadline for purchasers to cease utilizing PHP 7.4, we imagine extra time will afford them, the broader WordPress group, 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 group, we perceive the present ache factors surrounding PHP compatibility and think about this as a chance to offer our clients with a much-needed service—prolonged safety assist.
You probably have any questions, please attain out to our Assist groups through the WP Engine Consumer 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 try 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 carried out in a staging or growth atmosphere to make sure your reside website stays protected. This may even provide the choice to check for compatibility points earlier than pushing your up to date website reside.
Performing the replace by yourself is an easy course of—simply log in to your consumer portal and observe the steps offered right here. For those who nonetheless have questions you may log in to your account to contact assist.
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 on the whole, working an up-to-date model of PHP will pace up your website, it additionally prevents unhealthy actors from profiting from safety vulnerabilities that might be lurking in older PHP variations—a significant factor in our choice to put money into prolonged PHP 7.4 assist.
Holding Your WordPress Websites—and Your PHP Model—Secure From Vulnerabilities
With WP Engine’s prolonged assist for PHP 7.4, clients needn’t fear about vulnerabilities in that model (and no present vulnerabilities have been flagged).
That stated, all WP Engine and Flywheel clients are at the moment utilizing PHP 7.4 or 8.2, and shifting away from older variations of PHP is one thing you need to start to contemplate.
You’ll be able to take a more in-depth take a look at PHP compatibility with particular WordPress variations right here, and you could find extra details about checking and updating your PHP model right here.
Wish to discover out extra? Communicate to a WP Engine WordPress professional at the moment, or try our PHP Model and Improve Information for added particulars.
