Moving to PHP 7.4 and Discontinuing Some Old Versions
A large part of our service involves keeping server-side and client-side software up to date, secure and fast. One of the key elements of our server stack that requires expert maintenance is the PHP programming language, which is a prerequisite for the functioning of the majority of the websites. PHP is an extremely popular and well-supported language and, as any software, its development involves the continuous release of new versions. New versions introduce new features and important performance and security enhancements. As a managed hosting service provider we keep track of how each PHP version evolves, especially how fast it is adopted by the leading application developers, and we make proactive efforts to make sure our customers get all the benefits of the newer versions as soon as possible. Here is our latest PHP maintenance update.
Moving to PHP 7.4 as the server default
As of June 2021, we will be switching the default version on our servers to PHP 7.4. This means that all new sites will be using 7.4, unless manually switched to a different one. PHP 7.4 has been around for more than 2 years now and has already become widely compatible with different CMS’s, themes and plugins, where PHP 7.3 (our current default) is already out of active support and will get out of security support too by the end of this year. Keeping your PHP version up to date has undeniable performance and security advantages and that is why we are now helping you switch to PHP 7.4.
All websites using our Managed PHP service will also be upgraded to 7.4 in the period June 10-21, 2021. PHP 7.3 will still be available on our servers and can be set up manually for any site by our clients from Site Tools > Dev > PHP Manager.
Discontinuing support for 7.2, 7.1, 7.0, 5.6 and lower at the end of the year
At the same time, the security support for all PHP versions below 7.3 has been officially over for quite some time, and given the exploits that leak out once in a while, we believe the risk of using them is growing higher. Additionally, the performance of websites using old PHP versions is considerably lower compared to sites using newer versions. That is why we are starting a process of discontinuation of PHP 7.2, 7.1, 7.0, 5.6 and lower on our servers. After June 21, 2021 we will be gradually updating the sites using old PHP versions to PHP 7.4. PHP versions below 7.3 will no longer be supported on our servers after December 31, 2021.
Comments ( 10 )
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Carl Kessler
How can I get the form to opt out of the upgrade from PHP 5.6?
Hristo Pandjarov Siteground Team
Please, contact our technical support team for additional assistance on that matter.
Heather
How do I know when my site will be updated? I only just realized it was set to manual so reset to managed?
Hristo Pandjarov Siteground Team
Either set it to managed or manualy up the version. If you decide to go manual, note that you will remain on that version until you change it again or we deprecate it (which will usually means years) so I would recommend opting in for the managed version.
Ivan M Altinbasak
The form was issued while I was traveling, now I’m back and see the the form is expired, and my site is down. Not cool!
Gergana Zhecheva Siteground Team
Sorry to hear you have found your website inaccessible upon returning! We warned all affected clients with a one-month heads-up notification containing the opt-out form link at the end of May. By the end of June, a month later, the opt-out link was no longer accessible. Glad to see the quick fix provided by our Chat Support, i.e. manually setting the PHP version, brought your website back up and running.
Lieve Dedecker
For anyone using LDAP authentication in Joomla (the same applies most likely to Wordpress) - it is only supported for versions up to 7.2. It could work perfectly well for any higher versions too but SiteGround is refusing to install the required PHP modules on their shared servers. So unless you're willing to spent quite some extra money on a VPS solution, LDAP authentication is impossible after December 31.
Gergana Zhecheva Siteground Team
The PHP-LDAP module is not installed on our hosting environment for PHP versions above 7.2, which is in effect for Cloud and shared hosting users.
Pawel
Website of my client went down as well after upgrade to 7.4. It's not okay to do auto updates in projects. Especially when some websites use legacy code and it's not possible to rewrite them easily! I don't have access to admin panel for your hosting only SSH access, how can I switch php version back, or can you send instructions so I can tell client what to do?
Gergana Zhecheva Siteground Team
We understand how this change can affect the appearance and functionality of your websites. That is why, all account owners were notified a month in advance about the upcoming change. We strongly recommend you to consider an upgrade to one of the latest, still supported PHP versions, but in case more time is needed, the account owner can switch the PHP version manually from SiteTools > DEV > PHP Manager.
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