Changing PHP version in cPanel (MultiPHP Manager)
Switch PHP versions, configure PHP settings, understand modern PHP handler behavior, and set timezone values safely through cPanel MultiPHP tools.
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cPanel's MultiPHP tools let you choose the PHP version and settings for each domain. Use the cPanel interface instead of copying old PHP handler snippets from legacy articles unless support specifically provides one for your account.
Check your current PHP version
Create a temporary file named info.php with this content:
<?php phpinfo(); ?>Upload it to the domain document root and open it in your browser. Delete the file immediately after checking because it exposes server configuration details.
Change PHP version with MultiPHP Manager
- Log in to cPanel.
- Open Software and choose MultiPHP Manager.
- Select the domain.
- Choose the desired PHP version from the dropdown.
- Click Apply.
The change usually takes effect immediately. Test the site after switching versions.
Change PHP settings
Open Software and choose MultiPHP INI Editor to adjust settings such as:
| Setting | Use |
|---|---|
memory_limit | Memory available to PHP scripts. |
upload_max_filesize | Maximum size of one uploaded file. |
post_max_size | Maximum POST request size; should be larger than upload_max_filesize. |
max_execution_time | How long a PHP script can run before timing out. |
date.timezone | Default timezone for PHP date functions. |
PHP handlers and AddHandler
Older cPanel instructions often used AddHandler lines in .htaccess to switch PHP versions. Modern cPanel servers normally manage this through MultiPHP Manager. Old handler names may no longer exist and can cause PHP files to download, show source code, or return 500 errors.
If you find old PHP handler lines in .htaccess, remove them before using MultiPHP Manager unless UnderHost support has told you the exact current handler to use.
Set PHP timezone
Most applications let you set timezone inside the application. If PHP itself needs a timezone value, set date.timezone in MultiPHP INI Editor:
date.timezone = America/TorontoUse a valid PHP timezone identifier such as America/New_York, Europe/London, or Asia/Bangkok. After changing it, clear application cache and retest scheduled tasks or date-sensitive scripts.
Recommended PHP versions
Use the newest PHP version your application supports. Before changing production sites, update plugins/themes, take a backup, and test core workflows. If the site breaks after a PHP change, switch back to the previous version and check cPanel error logs for the incompatible code.
Related: How to enable PHP extensions in cPanel | Advanced .htaccess in cPanel: redirects, PHP settings, and access rules | Error logs in cPanel: find PHP and website errors | Creating and restoring backups in cPanel | Fixing WordPress 500 Internal Server Error
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