From March 2027, Complianz will no longer support PHP 7.4. From that release on, PHP 8.1 becomes the minimum version Complianz is built and tested for, so sites running PHP 7.4 or 8.0 will need to upgrade to keep receiving updates.
If your site already runs PHP 8.1 or newer, you don’t need to do anything.
Timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Now until March 2027 | Complianz keeps working on PHP 7.4 and 8.0. We recommend planning your upgrade now. |
| March 2027 | PHP 7.4 support ends. The first Complianz release from this date requires PHP 8.1 or newer. |
| After March 2027 | Sites on PHP 7.4 or 8.0 stay on their last compatible Complianz version and stop receiving new features, fixes and compliance updates. |
Why we’re making this change
PHP 7.4 reached end of life in November 2022 and PHP 8.0 in November 2023. Neither version receives security patches anymore, which leaves sites running them exposed.
Moving the baseline to PHP 8.1 lets us:
- Keep Complianz secure and aligned with current WordPress and PHP best practices
- Use modern PHP features that make the plugin faster and easier to maintain
- Spend our testing effort on the versions most of our users actually run
What this means for you
| Your PHP version | What to do |
|---|---|
| 8.1 or newer | Nothing. Complianz keeps updating as usual. |
| 8.0 | Upgrade before March 2027 to keep receiving updates. |
| 7.4 or older | Upgrade before March 2027. Your site will not get new Complianz versions after that. |
Our advice: go straight to PHP 8.3 or newer rather than stopping at 8.1. PHP 8.1 itself no longer gets security fixes from the PHP project, so a newer version gives you the longest runway.
How to check and upgrade your PHP version
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools → Site Health → Info and open the Server section. Your PHP version is listed there.
- Back up your site, including files and database.
- Upgrade PHP from your hosting control panel, or ask your hosting provider to do it. Most hosts let you switch versions in a few clicks.
- Test the upgrade on a staging site first if you can, to check that your theme and other plugins are compatible.
- Update WordPress, your theme and all plugins to their latest versions.
FAQ
Will Complianz stop working on PHP 7.4 in March 2027? No. The version you have installed keeps working. You just won’t be able to install newer Complianz versions until you upgrade PHP.
Why does missing updates matter for a consent plugin? Privacy rules, Google Consent Mode and cookie databases change often. Staying on an old version can leave your cookie banner and policies out of date.
I’m not sure how to upgrade PHP. Who can help? Your hosting provider is the best first contact, since PHP runs on their servers. For anything related to Complianz itself, our support team is happy to help.