The php.ini file is the main configuration file that controls how PHP behaves on your server, including settings such as memory limits, file upload size, execution time, and error reporting. Adjusting these values can help improve your website’s performance or fix compatibility issues with specific scripts, plugins, or themes. You can configure the PHP settings for your website in two ways through your cPanel: by editing the .user.ini file directly or using the MultiPHP INI Editor. Both methods allow you to update PHP configurations to match your website’s requirements and override the server’s default settings when needed. Note: Make sure to apply the changes to the correct domain, especially if your hosting account contains multiple domains or websites. Incorrectly modifying PHP settings for another domain may affect its performance or functionality.    

1. Using .user.ini via File Manager (manual method):

1. Access cPanel directly through your Z.com account. 2. Once you have reached the cPanel dashboard, locate Files under File Manager. 3. Navigate to your website’s document root. • If it is your main domain, open the public_html folder. • If it is an addon domain, open that domain’s specific folder (for example, yourdomain.com). 4. Create or edit the .user.ini file. • If you already see a file named .user.ini, right-click it and choose Edit. • If it does not exist, click + File at the top and name it .user.ini (with the dot at the start). 5. Add or modify PHP settings by typing the PHP directives you want to change. Once done, click Save Changes. *Each line sets one PHP configuration value. A successful example of the newly applied settings should look like this.

2. Using MultiPHP INI Editor in cPanel (simpler interface method):

1. Access cPanel directly through your Z.com account. 2. Once you have reached the cPanel dashboard, locate MultiPHP INI Editor under Software. 3. Ensure you are on the Basic Mode tab. Hover over the Select a location field drop-down menu, then select home directory or your domain name to open the corresponding PHP configuration. *For the Editor Mode tab usage, you may refer to our guide on how to use the MultiPHP INI editor in cPanel. Note: Choose the Home Directory if you want the PHP settings to apply globally to all domains and subdomains under your hosting account. Choose a domain’s document root if you want to apply the PHP settings only to that specific website/domain. 4. Adjust the settings for each PHP directive according to your website’s needs. For example, increasing the value under Setting to increase the upload resource limits. Once done, click Apply. A successful example of the newly applied settings should look like this.

When managing a website, choosing the correct PHP version is essential to ensure optimal performance, security, and compatibility with your applications. On Z.com’s shared cPanel hosting plans, you will come across two tools designed for this purpose: PHP Selector and MultiPHP Manager. While they may appear similar at first glance, each tool functions differently and offers unique benefits. Understanding how they work will help you decide which best suits your website’s needs. PHP Selector (used on CloudLinux-based servers) PHP Selector helps you manage the PHP settings for your hosting account in a simple, user-friendly way. It lets you choose the PHP version and turn specific PHP extensions on or off. The key thing to know is that PHP Selector works at the account level, meaning the PHP version you set will apply to all domains under your cPanel account. This makes it ideal if you want consistent performance and configuration across all your websites. Best for you if: you want one consistent PHP setup for all your websites and need control over PHP extensions. MultiPHP Manager (built into cPanel/WHM itself) MultiPHP Manager is helpful if multiple websites need different PHP versions. For example, one website might require an older version of PHP for compatibility, while another can run on the latest version for better speed and security. MultiPHP Manager allows you to assign different PHP versions to individual domains or specific directories. Best for you if: you run multiple websites with different requirements and need flexibility in assigning PHP versions individually. ALT-PHP Vs EA-PHP *EA-PHP and ALT-PHP are completely separate. Since ALT-PHP works only with PHP Selector and EA-PHP works only with MultiPHP Manager, you cannot use them together. When choosing a PHP version in cPanel, you may notice two options: ALT-PHP and EA-PHP. The main difference is that ALT-PHP (Alternative PHP) comes from CloudLinux and works with the PHP Selector, giving you the flexibility to turn extensions on/off. EA-PHP (EasyApache PHP) is provided directly by cPanel/WHM and is managed through MultiPHP Manager, but it does not let you customise extensions. In short, ALT-PHP: more control per account, EA-PHP: standard PHP versions managed per domain.

The PHP Selector in cPanel allows you to choose and switch between different PHP versions for your website. It also provides options to turn specific PHP modules and functions on or off, giving you more flexibility in configuring your hosting environment. With PHP Selector, you can set the default PHP version for your entire hosting account. This means all domains and subdomains under the account will use the same PHP version. If you need to assign different PHP versions to individual domains or subdomains, you will need to use MultiPHP Manager instead. Note: Before changing the PHP version, ensure your website platform or CMS (such as WordPress) is compatible with the version you intend to use. We also recommend creating a complete website backup to avoid potential issues if something goes wrong. 1. Access cPanel directly through your Z.com account. 2. Once you have reached the cPanel dashboard, locate Select PHP Version under Software. 3. You will see a list of domains associated with your hosting account. Select your desired PHP version using the drop-down menu under My domains, labelled Current PHP version (e.g., PHP 8.3). 4. Once selected, click Apply. 5. Done! Successfully updating the PHP version should look like the following, with the changes reflected under VERSION and aligned with the domains accordingly. Note: The available PHP versions in PHP Selector depend on the hosting environment’s support. The server typically performs updates in batches once a stable version is released. If you do not see the version you need, refer to the complete list of supported PHP versions and more details here. You may also click here for a guide on enabling or disabling PHP extensions using the PHP selector.

The MultiPHP Manager in cPanel allows you to change the PHP version for your websites. It works alongside the MultiPHP INI Editor, which lets you manage and customise PHP settings for each version. Note: Before switching PHP versions, make sure your website platform or CMS (such as WordPress) supports the version you plan to use. It is also recommended to back up your entire website to prevent data loss if anything goes wrong during the update. 1. Access cPanel directly through your Z.com account. 2. Once you have reached the cPanel dashboard, locate MultiPHP Manager under Software. 3. You will see a list of domains associated with your hosting account. Check the box next to the domain for which you want to update the PHP version. Using the drop-down menu on the right-hand side, labelled PHP Version, select your desired PHP version (e.g., PHP 8.2). 4. Once done, click Apply. Successfully updated PHP version should look like this. Note: The available PHP versions in MultiPHP Manager depend on the hosting environment’s support. The server typically performs updates in batches once a stable version is released. If you do not see the version you need, refer to the complete list of supported PHP versions and more details here.

The MultiPHP INI Editor in cPanel allows you to manage and customise PHP settings, such as memory limit, upload size, and execution time, for each domain or website. It works alongside the MultiPHP Manager, which allows you to select the PHP version used by each website hosted on your account. Note: MultiPHP INI Editor offers two modes. The Basic Mode provides more information about each PHP configuration option and allows easy updates, while the Editor Mode lets you change PHP variables straightforwardly. *Kindly note that changes take effect immediately, so it is strongly recommended to back up existing values before making any edits. For safety and ease of use, stick to Basic Mode unless you are confident with raw configuration files.    

1. Basic Mode

1. Access cPanel directly through your Z.com account. 2. Once you have reached the cPanel dashboard, locate MultiPHP INI Editor under Software. A. Using Basic Mode, from the Select a location drop-down menu, select the domain you would like to make changes to. A.1 When done making changes to the desired value, click Apply to save the setting.

2. Editor Mode

B. Using the Editor Mode makes adding custom PHP configuration changes per domain very easy. This allows you to change PHP variables not provided in the Basic Mode. The path for the PHP.ini file that is being modified is also shown. B.1 On the top-left-hand section of the MultiPHP INI Editor page, click Editor Mode. B.2 Under Configure PHP INI basic settings, from the Select a location drop-down menu, select the domain you would like to make changes to. B.3 Once done, click Save. Successfully enabled PHP extensions should look like this. You now know how to make PHP configuration changes using cPanel’s MultiPHP INI Editor.

PHP is regularly updated to the most recent version to improve security, performance, and compatibility. We currently support the following PHP versions to keep your websites running smoothly and securely. • PHP 5.6 (alt-php56) • PHP 7.0 (alt-php70) • PHP 7.1 (alt-php71) • PHP 7.2 (alt-php72) • PHP 7.3 (alt-php73) • PHP 7.4 (alt-php74) • PHP 8.0 (alt-php80) • PHP 8.1 (alt-php81) • PHP 8.2 (alt-php82) • PHP 8.3 (alt-php83) • PHP 8.2 (ea-php82) • PHP 8.3 (ea-php83) Each PHP update has been fully supported for two years after its initial stable release. Bugs and security issues that have been reported are fixed and patched in regular updates during this period. For more details and updates, please visit the official website here. You can check or update your PHP version directly from your cPanel dashboard. Depending on your server setup, use one of the following guides: • How to change the PHP version using PHP Selector • How to update PHP version using MultiPHP Manager in cPanel Note: Before updating, ensure your website, scripts, and plugins are compatible with the new PHP version. Testing on a staging website is highly recommended.

You may occasionally need to turn specific PHP extensions on or off to meet the requirements of your website or application. The PHP selector in cPanel allows you to customise your PHP environment without advanced technical knowledge. Note: Activating the PHP extension through the PHP selector offers performance improvements and more self-service options usually used by developers. However, newer versions of PHP and PHP modules are not activated automatically. Extensions may need to be manually set to activate. 1. Access cPanel directly through your Z.com account. 2. Once you have reached the cPanel dashboard, locate Select PHP Version under Software. 3. On the My domains tab, click Use PHP Selector under ACTION to activate the PHP selector. 3.1 Click CONFIRM from the pop-up confirmation box. 3.2 Once confirmed, your settings will look like the following. You may now proceed to activate or deactivate your PHP extensions. 4. Under PHP Selector, click Extensions. 5. You will see the current PHP version in use. If needed, you can change it using the drop-down menu. Otherwise, under the list of PHP Extensions, check the box next to an extension to enable it and uncheck the box to disable it. A successfully enabled or disabled extension should look like this.

What is PHP, and why does it matter for your website? PHP is the core programming language behind popular platforms like WordPress. It powers everything from what visitors see on your website (the front end) to how you manage content behind the scenes (the CMS or back end). In short, PHP forms the foundation on which your website runs. [Learn more in our guide: What is PHP?] When your website uses an outdated PHP version, several problems can arise: • Security risks - No security patches are provided for older PHP versions, making your website vulnerable to exploits, malware, and data breaches. • Compatibility issues - Newer software, such as CMS updates (like WordPress), plugins, or themes, may no longer support old PHP versions, leading to errors or broken functionality. • Performance degradation - Older PHP versions lack the performance improvements of newer PHP versions, which can make your website slower and less efficient. • Hosting limitations - Some hosting providers may force an upgrade, stop supporting outdated versions, or even suspend websites using outdated PHP. • Warning messages and errors - If error reporting is enabled, users may see warnings or deprecated function notices on your website, which can hurt your website’s credibility. Outdated PHP versions expose your website to significant security risks and performance inefficiencies. Updating to the latest version can enhance security, improve performance, provide access to new features, and ensure better compatibility with modern web technologies. Best practice: Regularly update your PHP version and test your website in a staging environment before applying the change to avoid website disruption. You may also click here for a guide on changing the PHP version on your server.

The PHP information page is a useful tool for checking your server’s PHP configuration. By using the phpinfo() function, you can view detailed information like your PHP version, server details, installed modules, and more. This is especially helpful when verifying if your PHP setup meets the requirements of the software you plan to run on your server. 1. Access cPanel directly through your Z.com account. 2. Once you have reached the cPanel dashboard, locate File Manager under Files. 3. Locate the public_html folder from the left side column and click + File in the top left corner to create a new file. 4. In the New File Name field, enter phpinfo.php as the file name and ensure that the new file will be created in the document root /public_html. Once done, click Create New File. 5. The file should now be created and listed from within the folder. Right-click on the file and click Edit. 6. You will be presented with a pop-up that requires you to select the character encoding. You can keep it default and click Edit again to continue. 7. A new Text Editor window will open. Add the following code to your phpinfo.php file. Once done, click Save Changes. Code: <?php phpinfo(); ?> 8. To view your PHP information page, access http://domain_name.tld/phpinfo.php. Replace domain_name.tld with your domain name. The following is an example of the page that will be displayed. The example screenshot shows that the server is running PHP Version 8.0.30. As you scroll down, you should find the PHP variable values, PHP modules, and other relevant information that have been installed on the server and allocated to the account user. Note: *Important security tip. After checking the information, delete the phpinfo.php file from your server. Leaving it accessible may expose sensitive server details to the public. To delete the phpinfo.php file from your server: a) Navigate to the public_html directory. b) Right-click on the info.php file. c) Select Delete to remove it from your server.

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a popular open-source scripting language for web development. It works behind the scenes on the web server to create dynamic and interactive websites. PHP allows websites to process user input, interact with databases, and display personalised information. PHP is a long-standing programming language renowned for its free use and high compatibility with major operating systems. It offers many tools that simplify coding. Its cross-platform nature also makes collaboration easier among web developers. Additionally, PHP’s high performance helps websites load faster, making it a strong choice for web development. To make it easy to understand: Imagine visiting an online store and adding an item to your cart. Instead of forgetting what you chose when you move to another page, PHP works in the background to save your selection. When you check out, PHP retrieves the stored information, calculates the total, and processes your order. This makes websites more interactive and functional rather than just displaying static content.