# How to update your PHP version and cancel PHP Extended Support

PHP is characterized by its vast popularity and distribution, and also by its **consistent development**. Developers are provided with major releases and smaller updates on a regular basis. We explain why you should update PHP regularly, what role official support plays, and how updating the PHP version works for IONOS projects.

## How to update PHP

If you want to update the PHP version of your web project, you should first create a **backup of your project**. This allows you to restore it back to its former state if you have to undo the upgrade due to compatibility problems or other complications. You can then update PHP by downloading the version you want to use from the [official PHP website](https://www.php.net/downloads "PHP website: Download") and then unpacking it into the target directory of your choice.

Tip Looking for the perfect hosting solution for your website, PHP and more? Get fast and secure [web hosting](https://www.ionos.com/hosting/web-hosting "Web hosting from IONOS"), including your own domain, SSL/TLS certificate and DDoS protection, directly from IONOS!

Many providers also offer **assistance with updating PHP** and related services, so you don’t necessarily have to install the PHP version yourself. As an IONOS customer, for example, you can easily initiate the version change in your customer account or cancel PHP Extended Support.

[![Image: Infographic on updating your PHP version](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/3/csm_update-php-cancel-extended-support_389150b873.webp "Infographic on updating your PHP version")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Schaubilder/update-php-cancel-extended-support.png) Infographic on updating your PHP version ### Step-by-step instructions for updating your PHP version with IONOS

Updating your PHP version in IONOS is as easy as 1-2-3. First, log in to your [IONOS customer account](https://login.ionos.com/ "IONOS login page") with your personal user data as you normally would. Select the category **Hosting** to open the overview of your web project. Here, you can find the **PHP** menu area where you can change the PHP version. Click on **Open** to begin.

[![Image: IONOS customer account: PHP option in Hosting dashboard](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/3/csm_ionos-hosting-menu_8b69ca8268.webp "IONOS customer account: PHP option in Hosting dashboard")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/ionos-hosting-menu.png) IONOS customer account: PHP option in Hosting dashboard In the next step, select the domain(s) for which you want to update the PHP version by placing a check mark in the relevant box(es), and then click **Change PHP version**:

[![Image: PHP status of domains in IONOS customer account](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/3/csm_change-php-version-ionos_d9131ec6ea.webp "PHP status of domains in IONOS customer account")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/change-php-version-ionos.png) PHP status of domains in IONOS customer account Now, select the desired PHP version and press **Save** to update the PHP version.

[![Image: PHP version options for IONOS customer account](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/7/7/csm_choose-php-version-ionos_9f45d8ec2b.webp "PHP version options for IONOS customer account")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/choose-php-version-ionos.png) Select the PHP version for your IONOS customer account.  Note Updating your PHP version may take some time. Once the installation is complete, check your website to make sure everything is functioning correctly. If in doubt, switch back to the previous version. Check out the following guide on [typical PHP version change errors](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/frequent-errors-when-changing-php-versions/) if you need help troubleshooting issues related to PHP version updates.

### How to cancel PHP Extended Support from IONOS

As part of PHP Extended Support, IONOS experts address and resolve security vulnerabilities in older PHP versions. You can use this service if there are no additional official security updates from the PHP Group for your **preferred PHP version**. This way, you can continue to use older editions such as PHP 7.2 or 7.3 without exposing your project to security risks.

If you plan to **switch** to a more current, officially supported PHP version, you may want to cancel Extended Support. To do so, follow the instructions below:

1. Log in to your [customer account](https://login.ionos.com/).
2. Select **Hosting**.
3. Click on **PHP** and **Open**.
4. Select the domain you wish to cancel PHP Extended Support for.
5. Decide on a current PHP version and press **Save**.
6. In the following dialog, click the link **Cancel PHP Extended Support** to terminate the support service.

[![Image: IONOS customer account: Cancel PHP Extended Support](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/2/csm_php-updated-ionos_1136117b0c.webp "IONOS customer account: Cancel PHP Extended Support")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2024/php-updated-ionos.png) IONOS customer account: Cancel PHP Extended Support  Tip With [PHP Extended Support](https://www.ionos.com/hosting/php-web-hosting "PHP Extended Support from IONOS") from IONOS, you can test the latest PHP versions or continue using older versions.


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/update-php-version-and-cancel-php-extended-support/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/update-php-version-and-cancel-php-extended-support/) for AI/LLM consumption.