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PHP Version Compatibility Tables

By ZendStudio.net Editorial Published Updated Verified

Verified feature and support matrices for planning PHP upgrades, with careful marking where details are version-specific.

Compatibility tables help managers and engineers share one picture of reality. Dates below for support status were verified from php.net/supported-versions.php on 2026-08-09. Feature rows summarize official migration guides; always re-check php.net before a freeze.

Support status (verified 2026-08-09)

BranchStatusActive untilSecurity until
8.5Active2027-12-312029-12-31
8.4Active2026-12-312028-12-31
8.3Security-only2025-12-31 (ended)2027-12-31
8.2Security-only2024-12-31 (ended)2026-12-31
8.1 and olderEOL——

High-impact language / API changes

Topic5.67.48.08.18.28.38.48.5
ext/mysql (mysql_*)Available (deprecated since 5.5)Removed (since 7.0)RemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemoved
ext/ereg (ereg/split)Available (deprecated)Removed (since 7.0)RemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemoved
ext/mcryptAvailableRemoved (since 7.2)RemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemoved
each() / create_function()AvailableDeprecated (7.2)RemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemovedRemoved
Null to non-nullable internal paramsCoercedCoercedCoercedDeprecatedDeprecatedDeprecatedDeprecatedDeprecated*
Dynamic propertiesAllowedAllowedAllowedAllowedDeprecatedDeprecatedDeprecatedDeprecated*
utf8_encode/utf8_decodeAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableDeprecatedDeprecatedDeprecatedDeprecated*
Opcache built into binaryExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionAlways built-in

*Deprecated status may become removals in a future major/minor—confirm current php.net docs before relying on continued availability. Do not invent unreleased PHP versions beyond 8.5.

How to use the matrix

Pick source and target columns, open the matching step guide (for example 8.1→8.2), and validate code with compatibility checker. Unknown cells for obscure PECL extensions should be marked unknown until tested on your image—not assumed portable.

Related scanners: PHP Version Compatibility Checker · PHP Deprecated Checker.

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