Maxer Host are committed to providing the latest software on our web servers for optimum performance and security. PHP is a server-side scripting language designed for web development but also used as a general-purpose programming language. PHP is used by the vast majority of web sites hosted by Maxer Host. The table below contains a schedule outlining the lifespan for each PHP version.
Summary of the PHP lifespan
(a) Launch Date: We aim to launch a new PHP version as soon as possible after its general release date, but this depends on how quickly the new version is distributed by cPanel and CloudLinux. We encourage early adoption of new PHP versions; keep your software up to date at all times for the best performance and security.
(b) Active Support Until: This is the date when the PHP developers will no longer support the version, and this is an ideal deadline when you should stop using the PHP version on your website software.
(c) Security Support Until: This is the date when the PHP developers will still release bug fixes and patches, to help maintain the security of your PHP software. If you are using a PHP version after this date, your website software may be vulnerable to security threats and we strongly encourage you to update your website software to meet the compatibility requirements of a newer PHP version. (Note: On CloudLinux servers, they provide security patches for longer as part of their HardenedPHP service).
(d) Decommission Date: This is the final final final "end of life" for a PHP version, when it will be disabled across our servers and no longer available to use. If your website is using a PHP version where the decommissioning date is approaching, the likelihood is that your website is many years old and no longer a priority, the software should be updated or the website should be deleted.
We aim for the typical life span of each PHP version to be approximately 5 years.
Select your own PHP Version
Almost all PHP settings can be managed via the cPanel control panel, including the PHP version, PHP extensions, and custom PHP variables. Login to your cPanel hosting control panel and look for the option "Select a PHP Version". If you don't need to customise the PHP extensions and settings, you can use the PHP versions on the "MultiPHP Manager" page.
Here is a useful guide: Manage PHP version and configuration for your cPanel hosting account
| PHP Version | Launch Date (please read above)* | Active Support Until | Security Support Until | Decommission Date |
| 8.3 (newest release) | Installed 22 Mar 2024 (via CloudLinux) Installed 22 Mar 2024 (via MultiPHP) |
23 Nov 2025 | 23 Nov 2026 | 23 Nov 2028 |
| 8.2 (stable) | Installed 24 Mar 2023 (via CloudLinux) Installed 24 Mar 2023 (via MultiPHP) |
8 Dec 2024 | 8 Dec 2025 | 8 Dec 2027 |
| 8.1 (stable) | Installed 5 Dec 2021 (via CloudLinux) Installed 11 Feb 2022 (via MultiPHP) |
25 Nov 2023 | 25 Nov 2024 | 25 Nov 2026 |
| 8.0 (upgrade now!) | Installed 10 Aug 2021 (via CloudLinux) Installed 19 Oct 2021 (via MultiPHP) |
26 Nov 2022 | 26 Nov 2023 | 26 Nov 2025 |
| 7.4 (native/default version) | 4 Dec 2021 (via CloudLinux) 4 Jun 2021 (via MultiPHP) General release: 28 Nov 2019 |
28 Nov 2021 | 28 Nov 2022 | 28 Nov 2024 |
| 7.3 (imminent removal) | Available from 2019 General release: 6 Dec 2018 |
6 Dec 2020 | 6 Dec 2021 | 6 Dec 2023 (imminent removal) |
| 7.2 (imminent removal) | Available from 2018 General release: 30 Nov 2017 |
30 Nov 2019 | 30 Nov 2020 | 30 Nov 2023 (imminent removal) |
| 7.1 (imminent removal) | Available from 2017 General release: 1 Dec 2016 |
1 Dec 2018 | 1 Dec 2019 | 1 Dec 2022 (removed) |
| 7.0 (removed) | Available from 2016 General release: 3 Dec 2015 |
10 Jan 2018 | 10 Jan 2019 | 3 Dec 2021 (removed) |
| 5.6 (removed) | Available from 2015 General release: 28 Aug 2014 |
31 Dec 2017 | 31 Dec 2018 | 28 Aug 2021 (removed) |
| 5.5 (removed) | Available from 2014 General release: 20 Jun 2013 |
21 Jul 2016 | 21 Jul 2016 | 20 Jun 2021 (removed) |
| 5.4 (removed) | Available from 2013 General release: 1 Mar 2012 |
3 Sep 2014 | 3 Sep 2015 | 3 Sep 2020 (removed) |
| 5.3 (removed) | Available from 2011 General release: 30 Jun 2009 |
14 Aug 2013 | 14 Aug 2014 | 14 Apr 2020 (removed) |
Official list and source: PHP: Supported Versions
Please note - Our web servers receive PHP updates from two sources:
(1) CloudLinux (Alternative PHP [alt-php]): Our web hosting plans (shared, reseller, enterprise plans) all run on the CloudLinux operating system, and CloudLinux typically distribute a new PHP version within a few weeks of its general release. Please check your cPanel hosting control panel and look for the option "Select a PHP Version" to switch between different versions.
(2) MultiPHP (EasyApache PHP [ea-php]): This is the standard PHP manager provided by cPanel, which we include on any cloud/dedicated server which does not have a CloudLinux license. The cPanel system typically takes a few months to distribute a new PHP version. For example, PHP 7.3 went from general release to MultiPHP availability in 93 days. Please check your cPanel hosting control panel and look for the option "MultiPHP Manager".
ionCube Loaders
For web applications that are encoded with the ionCube Encoder, please note that the available ionCube Loader version varies with each PHP version. The ionCube Loader version that is required for your web application depends on the ionCube Encoder version that the web developers have used to encode the software. Please refer to the documentation and technical requirements of the respective web application.
The following ionCube Loader versions are available on our servers at the moment:
EasyApache PHP (ea-php) via the "MultiPHP Manager" page:
- PHP 7.2 (ea-php72) - ionCube Loader v10
- PHP 7.3 (ea-php73) - ionCube Loader v10
- PHP 7.4 (ea-php74) - ionCube Loader v10
- PHP 8.1 (ea-php81) - ionCube Loader v12
- PHP 8.2 (ea-php82) - ionCube Loader v13
Alternative PHP (alt-php) via the "Select PHP Version" page:
- PHP 7.0 (alt-php70) - ionCube Loader v12
- PHP 7.1 (alt-php71) - ionCube Loader v12
- PHP 7.2 (alt-php72) - ionCube Loader v12
- PHP 7.3 (alt-php73) - ionCube Loader v12
- PHP 7.4 (alt-php74) - ionCube Loader v13
- PHP 8.1 (alt-php81) - ionCube Loader v13
The ionCube developers chose to skip over PHP 8.0 and there is no support for it. After a long wait, PHP 8.1 and 8.2 include ionCube Loader v12 and v13, depending on which PHP version you choose. Currently, the ionCube Loader is not available for PHP 8.3 yet, but it is expected to be released in the future and we will install it once available.
ImageMagick® (imagick)
The ImageMagick® (imagick) PHP extension currently has a bug that prevents installing it on EasyApache PHP 8.3 (ea-php83). This PHP extension is recommended for WordPress and other popular web applications. Until this bug is resolved and we can install imagick on EasyApache PHP 8.3 (ea-php83), we recommend using PHP 8.2 or earlier versions that have this extension installed. Alternatively, you can switch to Alternative PHP 8.3 (alt-php83) on the "Select PHP Version" page, which already has the ImageMagick® (imagick) PHP extension available.
Updated by SP on 25/03/2024
