Your new server and new applications are configured to use PHP 8.2 by default.
You can always upgrade to the latest version, e.g., PHP 8.4, as per your requirements.
Downgrading the PHP version has some limitations, so you can view which PHP versions you can upgrade or downgrade to.
Please note that PHP 8.4 is only available on Cloudways Flexible.
Important Announcement for Older PHP Versions
Cloudways currently supports PHP 7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4 and all the older versions (5.6, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3) are deprecated as of August 15th, 2022. As a result, new and existing servers with the default PHP version on Cloudways Flexible will not be able to downgrade to older versions; however, existing servers with deprecated versions will continue to work for now.
The deprecated versions will reach the end of life on March 31st, 2024; therefore, you are requested to upgrade to the latest version. Please refer to the Cloudways deprecation process and policy for more details.
Supported PHP Versions
To reiterate, Cloudways currently supports PHP 7.4, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4, and the older versions (5.6, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3) are deprecated.
If you use a PHP version older than PHP 7.4, you can only upgrade to the newer versions. We have explained the same in the following table:
PHP Versions | Upgradable to |
PHP 8.0 | Upgradable to PHP 8.1 and higher |
PHP 8.1 | Upgradable to PHP 8.2 and higher
Can be downgraded to PHP 8.0 or lower |
PHP 8.2 | Upgradable to PHP 8.3 and higher
Can be downgraded to PHP 8.1 or lower |
PHP 8.3 | Upgradable to to PHP 8.4.
Can be downgraded to PHP 8.2 or lower |
PHP 8.4 | It is the latest version. It will be upgradable to any new PHP version once available on the Cloudways Platform.
Can be downgraded to PHP 8.3 or lower |
How to Upgrade/Downgrade PHP Version on Cloudways
Here are a few steps that will help you upgrade the PHP version. First of all, please select your platform:
Cloudways Flexible
Prerequisite
Here are the prerequisites for upgrading to the latest PHP versions:
The latest version is PHP 8.4, which requires Debian 11 or 12. It is not compatible with older Debian versions.
Check the compatibility of your application code with the selected version of PHP.
Tip:
It is recommended to take a server backup before updating the PHP version, just in case you need to revert to a previous PHP version and restore your application.
Step #1 — Navigate to Server Packages
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your email address and password.
From the side bar menu, click on Flexible icon and then click on My Applications.
Click on your application.
Step #2 — Upgrading PHP Version
From the application management page, click on Application Settings.
Click on PHP Settings tab.
Click on PHP Version edit button as shown below.
Now, go through the newly opened pop-up window and read carefully.
Click on PHP Version and choose your required version to Update.
You will be prompted to check if your web applications are compatible with your chosen PHP version.
Click Continue to proceed.
This may take a few minutes to upgrade the PHP version.
Once the PHP version is updated, you will be notified on the same screen. You can also read about the available PHP modules.
Cloudways Autonomous
Prerequisite
We recommend that you check the compatibility of your application code with the selected version of PHP.
Tip
It is recommended to take an application backup before updating the PHP version, just in case you need to revert to a previous PHP version and restore your application.
Step #1 — Navigate to Applications
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your email address and password.
From the side menu bar, click on Autonomous Icon.
Now, click on My Applications.
Now, choose your application.
Now, click on Workflows/Tools as shown below.
In this section, click on PHP Settings tab.
Now, click on Select PHP Version scroll down menu.
Step #2 — Upgrading PHP Version
Select your desired PHP version from this list.
You will be prompted here to confirm the selection; thus, please click Confirm.
Your PHP Version is being updated. During this update, you won't be able to perform certain actions until the update is completed.
This may take a few minutes to upgrade the PHP version.
Once the PHP version is updated, you will be notified on the same screen. You can also read about the available PHP modules.
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That's it! We hope this article was helpful.