---
title: Change your site’s PHP version
description: "You choose your site's PHP version in your hosting control panel. Change it when WordPress, Joomla or an extension asks for a newer version. ## Before you change it - Check that your WordPress or Joomla version, theme or template,…"
url: "https://getsimple.net/knowledgebase/change-php-version/"
updated: "2026-11-01"
category: Get Started
---

# Change your site’s PHP version

You choose your site's PHP version in your hosting control panel. Change it when WordPress, Joomla or an extension asks for a newer version.

## Before you change it

- Check that your WordPress or Joomla version, theme or template, and plugins or extensions support the new version. A new PHP version can break older code.
- Test on a staging site first. See [Create a staging site](/knowledgebase/create-a-staging-site/).
- Make a backup. See [Back up and restore your site](/knowledgebase/back-up-and-restore-your-site/).

## Change the PHP version

1. Open your hosting control panel. See [How to open your control panel](/knowledgebase/open-hosting-panel/).
2. Open **Websites** and select your site.
3. Open **Advanced**, then **Developer tools**. Your current version also shows on the site overview, under **At a glance**, in the **PHP VERSION** row.
4. In the **PHP** section, under **Change the PHP version for your website**, pick the version you want from the dropdown.
5. If the change doesn't show right away, click **Restart** at the top right of the **PHP** section. Still showing the old version? [Open a ticket](/knowledgebase/get-help/).

## Which version to pick

- Older PHP versions stay available for sites that still need them, but versions that have reached end of life no longer get security fixes. Move to PHP 8.3 or newer when your site supports it.
- Joomla.org lists PHP 8.3 or newer for Joomla 6 and PHP 8.1 or newer for Joomla 5. Switch before you install or update to Joomla 6. More on [Joomla hosting](/joomla-hosting/).
- For WordPress, check the version WordPress.org recommends and what your plugins support.

## If the site breaks after the change

Switch back to the version you had, using the same steps. Then check which plugin or extension needs an update. If you are stuck, [open a ticket](/knowledgebase/get-help/) with the site, both PHP versions, and the error you see.

## Related

- [Joomla hosting](/joomla-hosting/)
- [Shared hosting](/shared-hosting/)
- [Create a staging site](/knowledgebase/create-a-staging-site/)