PHP 8.1 Update Timeline

OCT 26 UPDATE: The ability to roll back to a version earlier than PHP 8.1, will remain available in the software update tool, through Sunday, November 26- the last day of security support by PHP. Earlier version options will be permanently removed on Monday, November 27, 2023.

PHP 8.0 will lose security support on November 26, 2023. VIP prioritizes your application’s security, and we are committed to ensuring all customers have updated to PHP 8.1 ahead of this date.  Below, you will find VIP’s PHP 8.1 update timeline.

If customers have not updated their environments by the dates outlined, VIP will update the environments on the customer’s behalf. Please note that any updates made by VIP could result in issues if the proper customer testing has not been completed. If issues arise, we’ll do our best to assist where we can, but ask that you please test and deploy the update ahead of this schedule, to avoid any interruptions. This update cannot be deferred, and VIP is here to support you and your team as you work toward it.

PHP 8.1 Timeline for Non-Updated Environments

Monday, October 30, 2023

VIP Updates Non-Production Environments to PHP 8.1
VIP will begin updating all non-production environments that are not yet on PHP 8.1. We are proceeding with non-production environments first in order to provide customers time to address any issues that arise as a result of the update, before updating production.

Monday, November 13, 2023

VIP Updates Production Environments to PHP 8.1
VIP will begin updating all production environments that are not yet on PHP 8.1. After this date, working with your teams on post-update issues will be the priority. 

Earlier PHP Version Options Removed
The option to select PHP version 7.4 (deprecated) and 8.0 is removed from the software management tool. 

Sunday, November 26, 2023

PHP 8.0 End of Life
Security support for PHP 8.0 ends.

How can VIP help?

Support
VIP is here to help along the way, and our Support team is always available to answer questions as you and your team work through the update. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.

Tooling
Your application’s software version can be managed directly by you in the VIP Dashboard.

Partners
Could your team benefit from experienced, extra hands to address this update? We’d be happy to connect you to one of our Featured Partner agencies who can assist via a short-term engagement. Our Partnerships team would be happy to recommend a partner who would be a good fit. If you’re interested in being connected with a partner, please submit the form on this page, and our Partnerships team will be in touch. 

Documentation
We have helpful documentation available to guide you through preparing your application code for a PHP update.

PHP 8.2

In case you missed it, VIP is pleased to announce the release of PHP 8.2. If your team would love to stay ahead of the PHP update curve, we recommend testing and updating to PHP 8.2 this year. This means your team would not need to tackle another PHP update until late 2025! 

PHP 7.2 Deployed on VIP Go

This notice relates to the following platform: VIP Go

PHP 7.2 was rolled out across VIP Go yesterday.

We are continuing to monitor for errors and warnings related to the upgrade to ensure any issues are address as soon as possible. We also wanted to thank everyone who worked with us to resolve incompatibilities related to this upgrade.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

PHP 7.2 upgrade for WordPress.com is complete

This notice relates to the following platform: WordPress.com VIP

We are pleased to announce that the PHP 7.2 upgrade has rolled out to all WordPress.com servers and is complete on this platform, ahead of our previously stated schedule. Thanks to all of the individuals who worked with us to resolve incompatibilities in order to bring the enhanced security and stability of this upgrade to our platform.

We are continuing to monitor for errors and warnings related to the upgrade to ensure any issues are reviewed and resolved. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

PHP 7.2 Deployment Schedule for WordPress.com VIP

This notice relates to the following platforms: WordPress.com VIP

We’re continuing to test PHP 7.2 across all WordPress.com VIP sites by upgrading more servers to 7.2 and fixing errors proactively. We’ve been monitoring sites for potential errors and have communicated them as we’ve found them. Based on our review we have identified the below timeline for upgrading to PHP 7.2:

Friday, March 23:
By this date we will have implemented proactive fixes for any major compatibility errors showing up in our current testing. If we’ve sent you a ticket about compatibility errors, please review it, deploy fixes, and contact us with any questions.

We also strongly recommend switching your local environments to PHP 7.2 to help catch any critical issues (both VVV and Chassis make this very easy to do).

Monday, March 26 – Friday, March 30:
 During this period, we’ll increase the number of servers running PHP 7.2 and continue to flush out errors. As noted in an earlier post, we’re also taking proactive steps to identify potential compatibility issues and submitting PRs or tickets to figure out the best resolution for each one.

Thursday, April 5:
This is our planned go-live date for converting all servers across WordPress.com to PHP 7.2.

Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch.

PHP 7.2 Deployment Schedule for VIP Go

This notice relates to the following platforms: VIP Go

Update (March 22, 2018): due to some scheduling issues, we’ve delayed the roll-out of the non-production release to March 28.

We’re preparing the deployment of PHP 7.2 across all VIP Go sites and we wanted to share some dates:

Monday, March 19:
PHP Linting checks (via wpcomvip-bot)

Thursday, March 22 (20:00 UTC):
 Wednesday, March 28, 2018:
All non-production sites (i.e. develop, preprod, etc.)

Thursday, April 5 (20:00 UTC):
All production sites.

As noted in an earlier post, we’re also taking proactive steps to identify potential compatibility issues and submitting PRs or tickets to figure out the best resolution for each one. Once non-production sites have been switched over, we’ll do another round of compatibility checks and follow-up where needed (note that errors will also be surfaced in New Relic; if your team is not already set up with New Relic access, please reach out and we’d be happy to set it up).

We also strongly recommend switching your local environments to PHP 7.2 to help catch any critical issues (both VVV and Chassis make this very easy to do).

Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch.

PHP 7.2 Testing in Progress

This notice relates to the following platforms: WordPress.com VIP, VIP Go

In preparation for upgrading all of our servers to PHP 7.2, we are taking a proactive approach to resolving all 7.2 fatal errors and warnings. As a result, we are creating patches for fatal errors, testing, deploying, and then notifying clients. Our fixes will address fatal errors first, then warnings.

Although we are deploying these patches, please take a moment to review them, as they are focused specifically on resolving PHP 7.2 fatals and warnings, and not necessarily on resolving long-term issues.

Additionally, we strongly recommend you test PHP 7.2 in your local or preproduction environment, to resolve any fatal errors or warnings that may occur.

If you have any questions, please open a ticket, or reply to tickets where we’ve notified you about PHP 7.2-related errors or deploys. We look forward to bringing the security, stability, and performance improvements of PHP 7.2 to WordPress.com VIP.

Previously

Notice of PHP 7.2 upgrade

PHP 7.2 Upgrade

This notice relates to the following platforms: WordPress.com VIP, VIP Go

PHP version 7.2 brings a variety of improvements to the language. We are preparing to upgrade our platforms from PHP 7.0 to PHP 7.2, and in the coming weeks we’ll provide some details about how to prepare your VIP sites and the specific timing of the update.

Until then, please begin testing your theme and plugin code against PHP 7.2 as soon as possible. If there are parts of your theme or plugin code that are not compatible with PHP 7.2, there may be serious functionality problems with any sites using that code once this update is complete.

We have begun scanning VIP code for incompatibilities with PHP 7.2. One of the most significant changes we are seeing has to do with the incorrect number of arguments. Since PHP 7.1, these are fatal errors.

How to prepare

  • Upgrade to PHP 7.2 in your local development environment.
  • If you have PHP 7.2-incompatible errors in your theme code, you may have already heard from us about it. Please make sure your development team reviews and acts on any PHP 7.2 tickets from VIP.
  • Use the latest version of the WordPress.com VIP coding standards.
  • If you have questions, please open a ticket.

PHP migration guides for reference