Key facts
- php.net lists PHP 8.0 and 8.1 as end of life, with no further security fixes
- PHP 8.2 receives security fixes only until 31 December 2026
- PHP 8.3 is security-only and supported until 31 December 2027
- PHP 8.4 is supported until 31 December 2028 and PHP 8.5 until 31 December 2029
- Each PHP branch gets 2 years of active support followed by 2 years of security-only fixes
- Old plugins and themes can break on newer PHP, so test on a staging copy first
- dijitul upgrades PHP and fixes compatibility issues at £45 an hour + VAT
What PHP end of life means
PHP is the programming language that runs WordPress, WooCommerce, Joomla, Drupal, Magento and many bespoke sites. Each PHP version, or branch, gets two years of active support with bug and security fixes, then two more years of security-only fixes. After that it is end of life: when a new vulnerability is found, nobody fixes it in that version.
Your site does not stop working on the end-of-life date. The risk is quieter: the server runs software with known, unpatched holes. Hosts also eventually remove old versions or charge extra for extended support, which can force an upgrade at a bad moment.
Current PHP support dates
These dates are from the official php.net supported versions page, checked on 10 October 2026:
| Version | Active support until | Security fixes until | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4 and older | Ended | Ended | End of life |
| 8.0 | Ended | Ended | End of life |
| 8.1 | Ended | Ended | End of life |
| 8.2 | 31 Dec 2024 | 31 Dec 2026 | Security fixes only, ending soon |
| 8.3 | 31 Dec 2025 | 31 Dec 2027 | Security fixes only |
| 8.4 | 31 Dec 2026 | 31 Dec 2028 | Active support |
| 8.5 | 31 Dec 2027 | 31 Dec 2029 | Active support |
If your site is on 8.2, plan the move now: support ends in under three months.
How to check your PHP version
- WordPress: go to Tools, then Site Health, then the Info tab and open Server. It shows the PHP version. Site Health also warns if the version is outdated.
- cPanel: look for 'Select PHP Version' or 'MultiPHP Manager'.
- Plesk: open the domain's PHP Settings.
- Other platforms: ask your host, or a developer can check with a phpinfo file, deleted straight afterwards.
Note that different domains on the same hosting account can run different PHP versions, so check each site.
How to upgrade PHP without breaking your site
- Back up files and database, and confirm the backup restores.
- Update everything first: WordPress core, plugins and themes. Current versions are far more likely to support new PHP.
- Look for abandoned plugins: anything not updated in years is a likely failure point. Find a maintained replacement.
- Test on staging: clone the site, switch the clone to the new PHP version and click through key pages, forms, checkout and the admin area with WP_DEBUG_LOG on.
- Read the log for deprecations and fatal errors. Typical PHP 8 issues include removed functions, stricter type checks and 'Creation of dynamic property is deprecated' warnings.
- Switch live at a quiet time, then retest. Keep the old version selectable briefly in case you need to roll back.
Going straight from 7.4 to 8.3 or 8.4 is usually fine for well-maintained sites, but bespoke code may need real changes.
It is not just WordPress
Joomla, Drupal, Magento, PrestaShop, OpenCart, Laravel apps and bespoke PHP systems all depend on the PHP version too, and each sets its own minimum and maximum supported versions. Older releases of these platforms can refuse to run on newer PHP at all, which means the platform itself has to be upgraded first. That is often the bigger job, and the main reason sites get left on old PHP for years.
If you have an old site nobody has touched in a long time, start by listing the platform version, PHP version and plugins or extensions in use. That list tells you whether you face a quick switch or a planned upgrade.
When to call dijitul
Call us if your site runs custom code, a premium theme that is no longer updated, an old WooCommerce extension, or if a previous upgrade caused a critical error and your host rolled it back. We test on a copy, fix what breaks and switch over safely, at £45 an hour + VAT. Large bespoke rebuilds are quoted. See PHP version upgrade or get in touch.
On our plans from £25 a month + VAT, keeping your software current is part of the job, so PHP deadlines do not catch you out. Old PHP is also one of the ways sites get compromised: see the signs your website has been hacked.
Frequently asked questions
Which PHP versions are end of life?
According to php.net, PHP 8.1, 8.0 and every 7.x and older version are end of life and receive no security fixes. PHP 8.2 gets security fixes only until 31 December 2026. PHP 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5 are still supported.
Will my website stop working when PHP reaches end of life?
No, it keeps running. The risk is that new security vulnerabilities in that PHP version will never be patched. Hosts may also retire old versions or charge for extended support, which can force a rushed upgrade later.
How do I check what PHP version my WordPress site uses?
In the WordPress dashboard, go to Tools, then Site Health, open the Info tab and expand Server. It shows the PHP version in use. Your hosting control panel, under Select PHP Version or PHP Settings, shows it too.
Will upgrading PHP break my website?
It can if plugins, themes or custom code use functions removed in newer PHP. Updating everything first and testing on a staging copy catches most problems before they reach the live site. dijitul does this for UK sites at £45 an hour + VAT.
Which PHP version should I upgrade to?
Aim for a version with the longest remaining support that your site's software supports. As of October 2026, PHP 8.4 has active support until the end of 2026 and security fixes until 31 December 2028. PHP 8.5 runs to the end of 2029 but check plugin compatibility first.
How much does a PHP upgrade cost?
dijitul charges £45 an hour + VAT. A well-maintained WordPress site often takes an hour or two including testing. Sites with abandoned plugins or bespoke code take longer, and we tell you upfront if it looks like a bigger job that needs quoting.
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Get it fixed
One-off fixes are £45 an hour + VAT. You'll know the likely cost before we start.