Description
At a glance
PHP Compatibility Checker v1.6.3 is a free WordPress plugin with 200K+ active installs, 2.7/5 rating from 131 reviews, updated July 20, 2026, requires WordPress 5.6+ & PHP 5.6+. Download the latest GPL version below — free, with live demo included.
WARNING: PHP Compatibility Checker is no longer actively maintained.
This software is still free to use under the license provided, but users should be aware that it is not currently maintained. No additional releases, including security releases, will be made available.
The WP Engine PHP Compatibility Checker can be used by any WordPress website on any web host to check PHP version compatibility.
This plugin will lint theme and plugin code installed on your WordPress site and give you back a report of compatibility issues as reported by Tide for you to fix. Compatibility issues are categorized into errors and warnings and will list the file and line number of the offending code, as well as the info about why that line of code is incompatible with the chosen version of PHP. The plugin will also suggest updates to themes and plugins, as a new version may offer compatible code.
This plugin does not execute your theme and plugin code, as such this plugin cannot detect runtime compatibility issues.
Please note that linting code is not perfect. This plugin cannot detect unused code-paths that might be used for backwards compatibility, and thus might show false positives. We maintain a whitelist of plugins that can cause false positives. We are continuously working to ensure the checker provides the most accurate results possible.
This plugin relies on Tide that constantly scans updated versions of plugins and themes in the background. Your scan results should be near real-time, but if not that just means Tide has not yet scanned your specific plugin or theme version. Please be patient as this may take up to 10 minutes for results to be returned from Tide. Please see the FAQ for more information.
Update to PHP 7.4
- Use this plugin to check your site for compatibility up to PHP 8.0!
- As of July 2022, 8.52% of WordPress websites run a PHP version older than PHP 7.0.
- These versions of PHP have been deprecated and unsupported for over 2 years.
- Only 7.1% of WordPress websites run PHP 8, the current main version of PHP.
Disclaimer
While this plugin is written to detect as many problems as accurately as possible, 100% reliable detection is very difficult to ensure. It is best practice to run comprehensive tests before you migrate to a new PHP version.
The plugin was created by WP Engine to help the WordPress community increase adoption of modern PHP versions. We welcome contributors to this plugin, and are excited to see how developers and other WordPress hosts use this plugin.
To disclose security issues for this plugin please email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is PHP Compatibility Checker?
PHP Compatibility Checker is a free WordPress plugin available under the GPL license. The current version is 1.6.3. It is active on over 200K websites.
Is PHP Compatibility Checker free to download?
Yes — PHP Compatibility Checker 1.6.3 is a free GPL download with no hidden fees, no account needed, and no feature locked behind a paywall in this package. Users rate it 2.7 out of 5 based on 131 reviews.
How do I install PHP Compatibility Checker 1.6.3?
Download the ZIP file from this page, then in your WordPress dashboard go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the file, click Install Now, then Activate. The plugin works immediately after activation — no license key or extra setup is required for the core features.
What are the requirements for PHP Compatibility Checker?
PHP Compatibility Checker 1.6.3 requires WordPress 5.6 or higher and PHP 5.6 or higher. Most modern WordPress hosts already meet these versions. Running older versions may cause features to break, so update WordPress and PHP first if your site is behind.
When was PHP Compatibility Checker last updated?
Version 1.6.3 was last updated on July 20, 2026. This page is refreshed automatically, so the download here always matches the newest version we have verified.
Is the PHP Compatibility Checker download safe?
The file is sourced directly from the official WordPress.org repository — the same file the developer published. It is served unmodified, so what you install here is byte-identical to the official release.
Version: 1.6.3
Updated: October 1, 2026
Technical details
| Version | 1.6.3 |
|---|---|
| Last updated | July 20, 2026 |
| Active installs | 200,000+ |
| Rating | ★★★☆☆ 2.7/5 (131 reviews) |
| Requires WordPress | 5.6 or higher |
| Requires PHP | 5.6 or higher |
| Author | WP Engine |
| Tags | compat, php, php-7, php-8, version |
Demo PHP Compatibility Checker
Download PHP Compatibility Checker
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