How to check and update PHP on Cloudways

where PHP settings live

Cloudways Platform

newest PHP2Shell fix

8.5.12

How to see your PHP version on Cloudways

1. 1Log in to the Cloudways Platform, click Flexible in the left-side menu, and open the Applications tab.
2. 2Select your application, then click Application Settings in the left-side application menu.
3. 3Click the PHP Settings tab to see the current PHP version selected for the application.

How to change your PHP version on Cloudways

1. 1Log in to the Cloudways Platform, click Flexible in the left-side menu, and open the Applications tab.
2. 2Select the application you want to change.
3. 3Click Application Settings in the left-side application menu.
4. 4Click the PHP Settings tab.
5. 5Under PHP Version, click the edit icon next to the current PHP version.
6. 6In the Update PHP Version popup, select the version from the PHP Version dropdown.
7. 7Click Proceed and wait for the success notification.

Who updates PHP on Cloudways?

On Cloudways, you choose the PHP version for each application or server and Cloudways provides the builds. Ask Cloudways whether the latest PHP security release is applied.

Good to know

• Per-application PHP was in Public Preview as of Cloudways' September 2026 article. Cloudways said it would come first to servers launched from 8 August 2026, with existing servers to follow.
• If your application has no PHP Settings tab, Cloudways' server guide says the PHP version is updated under the server's Settings & Packages, on the Packages tab.
• Changing the server-level PHP version does not change applications that already have their own PHP version.
• The change restarts the application's PHP service, which can cause a few seconds of backend downtime.
• Cloudways recommends at least 4 GB of RAM when applications on 1 server run different PHP versions, and a backup or staging test before switching.
• Cloudways' 2 articles describe the server menu differently, so labels may not match exactly.

An email to send Cloudways

If you can't find the version, or you want written confirmation that the fix is in, send this to their support team:

Subject: Is our PHP patched for PHP2Shell?

Hi Cloudways support,

PHP released security fixes on October 21, 2026 for 2 critical flaws known as PHP2Shell (CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619).

Which exact PHP version does our site run on, and does it include the fix (8.2.35, 8.3.36, 8.4.27, 8.5.12 or later, or a patched package)? If not, when will it be applied?

Thanks,