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Home / PHP Versions / PHP 5.6

PHP 5.6 End of Life

End of life

PHP 5.6 reached end of life on Dec 31, 2018. It no longer receives security updates; the final release was PHP 5.6.40.

PHP 5.6 has been end of life for 2,853 days. Websites still running it are exposed to unpatched vulnerabilities.

PHP 5.6 support timeline

Released
Aug 28, 2014
Active support until
Jan 19, 2017
Security support until (EOL)
Dec 31, 2018
Final release
PHP 5.6.40
Status today
End of life

Source: php.net. Last updated Oct 23, 2026.

What’s new in PHP 5.6

  • Variadic functions (...)
  • Argument unpacking
  • Exponentiation operator (**)
  • use function and use const
  • Constant scalar expressions
  • phpdbg debugger

Upgrading from PHP 5.6

The smallest safe jump is to PHP 8.4, the closest version with active support; you can also go straight to PHP 8.5. Upgrading several versions at once is common, but review the deprecations of every version in between.

  1. Back up your files and database.
  2. Check that your framework, CMS, theme and plugins support PHP 8.4. Test on a staging copy first.
  3. Read the official migration guides on php.net for each version between 5.6 and 8.4.
  4. Switch the PHP version in your hosting panel or install the new php-fpm package, then watch the error log.
  5. Run the PHP Version Checker again to confirm.

Is your website still on PHP 5.6?

Check any URL for free and see the detected PHP version, the evidence behind it, and its support status.

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PHP 5.6 FAQ

When was PHP 5.6 released?

PHP 5.6 was released on Aug 28, 2014.

When does PHP 5.6 reach end of life?

PHP 5.6 reached end of life on Dec 31, 2018. It no longer receives security updates; the final release was PHP 5.6.40.

Is PHP 5.6 still safe to use?

No. Because PHP 5.6 is end of life, newly discovered vulnerabilities will not be patched. Upgrade to PHP 8.4 or another supported version.

What should I upgrade PHP 5.6 to?

Upgrade to PHP 8.4, the closest version that still has active support, or go straight to PHP 8.5 if your application and plugins support it. Supported versions: 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5.

How do I check if my website runs PHP 5.6?

Enter your site URL in the PHP Version Checker, or run php -v on the server. In WordPress, go to Tools → Site Health → Info → Server.

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