Updating PHP 7.4 to 8.0 FAQs

PHP is a scripting language for web development and WordPress is a PHP-powered content management system. Processing PHP code ultimately renders your WordPress page or post. Your WordPress core system files, themes, and plugins all include PHP code.

Every year, a new version of PHP is released with improvements and additional features. Every new version of PHP is fully supported for two years from its initial stable release. During this period, bugs and security issues that have been reported are fixed and are released in regular point releases.

Once those two years pass, the version is then supported for an additional year for critical security issues only. Releases during this period are made on an as-needed basis, and once that year is up, the version is no longer supported and is considered End of Life (EOL).

PHP 7.4 is reaching EOL and will no longer receive security updates as of November 28, 2022.  For security and performance purposes, we will no longer support PHP 7.4 after that date. We are planning ahead to ensure its retirement on our platform will be as smooth as possible for our customers and yours.

Important Dates for BionicWP Customers

• August 9, 2022: New sites on the platform will no longer see PHP version 7.4 as an option after August 9, 2022. The default for all new sites will be PHP 8.0.
• November 2, 2022: All sites on the platform that are currently running PHP version 7.4 will be automatically updated to PHP version 8.0 on November 2, 2022.

Top Questions About Updating PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.0

What will happen to my sites currently running on PHP 7.4 when it’s removed as an option for new sites?

Any sites you have that are running PHP 7.4 will continue to use that version, and any clones (or staging sites) that you create of that site will carry over your use of PHP 7.4 as well.

All sites running PHP 7.4 will be automatically upgraded in November, so we recommend all customers begin testing and updating their sites as soon as possible.

What are the differences between PHP 7.4 and PHP 8.0? 

We have published an article here that details the new features and enhancements that come with the update to PHP 8.0, as well as information on PHP 8.1. Beyond the technical details, it’s important to note the upgrade comes with performance improvements as well. For example, PHP 8.0 can handle 18.4% more requests per second than PHP 7.4. That can make a noticeable difference for a busy site or store!

My site is showing an error?  What can be done to fix it?

If the PHP update triggered an error on your site, most likely an outdated plugin or theme is the cause.  The error logs for your site might indicate where the problem is originating from.  We have a guide on how to access these logs here.

Additionally, you can reach out to our customer success team for assistance, either through live chat or via email at [email protected]. What we can help with is limited, but we would be more than happy to point you in the right direction for a fix!

When will the next required PHP version upgrade occur?

PHP.net maintains a timeline showing the various PHP versions and their lifecycles. It’s a great resource for anyone wondering when the next version will reach EOL. That said, PHP 8.0 will no longer receive security updates as of November 2023 and we will stop supporting it around that time.