PHP lifecycle and status
Flowpane shows environment versions reported by your connected WordPress installation. Refresh its status after an upgrade. Compatibility information does not change your Site governance score or upgrade WordPress, PHP or plugins.
Evidence checked: 2026-09-12. Catalogue 2026-09-14.1.
| Fact | Reviewed value |
|---|---|
| Connector minimum for this component | 8.1 |
| Latest upstream branch known | 8.5 |
| Exact Flowpane verified versions | 8.3.6, 8.3.33 |
Lifecycle is independent of Flowpane testing; exact runtime cells only.
Sources:
- php-support — Authoritative PHP branch lifecycle.
- php-eol — Authoritative retired PHP branches.
- connector-contract — Committed plugin header: WordPress 6.7/PHP 8.1; registry protocol floor 1.0.0; assured renewal floor 1.2.0.
- wordpress-hosting — WordPress 7.1 recommends PHP 8.4/8.5 for new installations.
Authoritative branch lifecycle
| PHP branch | Security support through |
|---|---|
| 8.1 | 2025-12-31 |
| 8.2 | 2026-12-31 |
| 8.3 | 2027-12-31 |
| 8.4 | 2028-12-31 |
| 8.5 | 2029-12-31 |
On 2026-09-12, PHP 8.1 still meets the Connector's declared minimum and can be technically installable, but is past upstream security support. Unsupported here describes its lifecycle; it does not claim the Connector rejects PHP 8.1. PHP 8.2 receives security fixes until 31 December 2026: plan an upgrade before that date. PHP's support calendar and Flowpane's exact tested matrix answer different questions. PHP 8.4/8.5 have upstream support but have not been tested in this Flowpane matrix.
Ask your hosting provider which supported PHP runtime is available. Back up and test the site, its themes and plugins before changing runtime. WordPress's PHP upgrade guidance explains how to prepare. Flowpane does not update PHP or assess your entire site's security from a version number.