PHP end-of-support dates
Each PHP release gets two years of active support, followed by a period of security fixes only. This page lists PHP versions from 5.6 to 8.5, their dates and where they stand today.
Support dates by version
Status as of 3 October 2026. Dates come from the PHP supported versions; check there before relying on them for a decision.
| Version | Released | Mainstream support ended | Security fixes end | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHP 5.6 | 28 August 2014 | 19 January 2017 | 31 December 2018 | Support ended |
| PHP 7.4 | 28 November 2019 | 28 November 2021 | 28 November 2022 | Support ended |
| PHP 8.0 | 26 November 2020 | 26 November 2022 | 26 November 2023 | Support ended |
| PHP 8.1 | 25 November 2021 | 25 November 2023 | 31 December 2025 | Support ended |
| PHP 8.2 | 8 December 2022 | 31 December 2024 | 31 December 2026 | Ending within a year |
| PHP 8.3 | 23 November 2023 | 31 December 2025 | 31 December 2027 | Supported |
| PHP 8.4 | 21 November 2024 | 31 December 2026 | 31 December 2028 | Supported |
| PHP 8.5 | 20 November 2025 | 31 December 2027 | 31 December 2029 | Supported |
How PHP support works
A new PHP version is released towards the end of each year. Each release gets about two years of active support, when bugs and security problems are both fixed. After that it receives security fixes only: for one further year in the case of PHP 7.4 and 8.0, and for two further years from PHP 8.1 onwards. Then support from the PHP project ends completely.
Today that means PHP 8.1 and everything before it is out of support. PHP 8.2 receives security fixes until 31 December 2026 and PHP 8.3 until 31 December 2027. PHP 8.4 and 8.5 are the versions to aim for.
What to do if you are out of support
- On PHP 5.6: out of support since 31 December 2018. PHP 7 removed features that older code relied on, including the original mysql functions, so expect real code changes.
- On PHP 7.4 or 8.0: support ended on 28 November 2022 and 26 November 2023. PHP 8 is stricter about code that earlier versions let pass, so the move needs thorough testing.
- On PHP 8.1: support ended on 31 December 2025. The step to 8.4 or 8.5 is small by comparison.
- On PHP 8.2: plan the upgrade before 31 December 2026.
The safe route is one major version at a time: upgrade, run the tests, fix what breaks, then take the next step. If there are no automated tests, write some around the parts the business depends on before you start.
We should be plain about where we fit. CodeFirst works mainly with Microsoft technology: .NET and SQL Server. We can assess a PHP system, tell you what state it is in and what an upgrade involves, and take it on where we are the right fit. Where a PHP specialist would serve you better, we will say so. A code audit is the usual starting point, and our pages on taking over software and unsupported software describe what can follow.
Things that are easy to miss
- Shared hosting. Hosting companies often keep old PHP versions available long after support ends, so nothing prompts an upgrade. When the host finally withdraws the old version, the site breaks on a date you did not choose.
- The framework or CMS. Each version of a framework or content management system supports a particular range of PHP versions. An old PHP version usually means an old framework version too, and the two have to be upgraded together.
- Plugins and libraries. Third-party plugins that are no longer maintained are a common reason an upgrade stalls. Check them before the code.
Questions we are asked
Is PHP 7.4 still supported?
No. Security support for PHP 7.4 ended on 28 November 2022. It receives no fixes of any kind from the PHP project.
When does PHP 8.2 support end?
Active support for PHP 8.2 ended on 31 December 2024. It receives security fixes only until 31 December 2026.
Is PHP 8.1 end of life?
Yes. Security support for PHP 8.1 ended on 31 December 2025.
Which PHP version should we move to?
PHP 8.4 or 8.5. PHP 8.4 has active support until 31 December 2026 and security fixes until 31 December 2028. PHP 8.5 has active support until 31 December 2027 and security fixes until 31 December 2029.
Does CodeFirst work with PHP systems?
Our main expertise is Microsoft technology: .NET and SQL Server. We can assess a PHP system and advise on its condition and upgrade route, and we take one on where we are the right fit. Where a PHP specialist would serve you better, we will say so.
Running a version that is out of support?
Tell us which version, what depends on it and how it is hosted. We will set out the upgrade route and what it is likely to involve.