PHP version compatibility – wow… not exactly the ‘sexiest’ topic for in the world of websites, digital marketing and design… but something really important happening in 2025 that you probably need to know about.
What is PHP?
PHP is the core scripting language that powers popular platforms like WordPress. It runs behind the scenes to load your site’s content, manage forms, process data, and more. In simple terms, PHP is what makes your website function.
What’s happening?
Back in November, 2022, PHP 7.4 officially had its End of Life (EOL). This means it no longer receives bug fixes, security patches, or updates—leaving websites running on this version increasingly vulnerable.
If your website was built between 2015 and 2022 there is a good chance it was built with some version of PHP 7.
While it’s common for PHP versions to be phased out after a few years, the transition away from 7 is more complex. That’s because WordPress, along with many popular themes and plugins, have not yet made the jump to being fully compatible with PHP 8.2 and above.
2025 will be the final year in which we at MyWork continue to support websites on PHP 7.
Red = Unsupported. Orange = Critical security updates only. Green = Actively being supported. Note how PHP 7.4 has been unsupported since 2022; even PHP 8.0 is no longer supported, but it’s a bit more recent. Source php.net/supported-versions
The risks
At MyWork, we always encourage staying up to date with the latest versions of PHP and WordPress for better site speed, security, and performance. But we also understand that rushing the upgrade could break key functionality if your site isn’t ready.
That said, running outdated software like PHP 7.4 increases your security risks—something we work hard to protect our clients from. In fact, we’ve extended support for PHP 7.4 to help ease the transition, but it won’t last forever.
The good news
The good news? You can upgrade to PHP 8.2 —but it’s crucial to do so carefully. We strongly recommend making updates in a staging or development environment first. This lets you safely test compatibility and avoid potential issues on your live site.
Unsure if your site is ready for PHP 8.2?
Reach out to MyWork today. We’ll assess your site, manage the upgrade process, and ensure everything runs smoothly—so your website stays fast, secure, and future-proof.