Instruction to Change PHP Version to 8
Learn how to switch your SOTESHOP online store to PHP version 8.x.
Step 1: Update the Store to the Latest Version
Update your online store to the latest version by following the update documentation. The store is fully up-to-date if no update packages are available in the panel, and the system confirms that you have the latest version.
If the store is running version 8.3.9 or lower, the system may not detect the latest updates due to a change in the update system that took place in February 2026. In this case, we recommend using the Store Update Service
Step 2: Check Store Compatibility with PHP 8
- Log in to your store's administration panel.
- Go to Update → Proceed to Update.
- Select Expert's Tool.
- Click Information about PHP. Here, you will see the PHP version currently used by your store and information about the possibility of switching to PHP 8.
- If you see the message: “Store compatible with PHP 8.x: yes,” proceed to Step 3.
- If the store is not compatible with PHP 8, you will see the message “Store compatible with PHP 8.x: no,” along with a report listing applications that require code adjustments. In this case, please contact: office@sote.pl for a quote on the necessary code modifications.
- For stores currently using PHP version 7.1, encryption of customer and transaction data is additionally checked. If the message "Customer and transaction data encryption: unexecuted" appears, it means that the store is also not compatible with PHP8. In such a case, go to Panel -> Applications -> Security to start the encryption process by pressing the "Encryption Update" button. This process can also be performed in the background using the Task Scheduler.
Step 3: Switching PHP Version to 8.x in Server Settings
After implementing any necessary code changes, a message will appear in the panel, indicating that the store can be switched to PHP 8. The PHP version change depends on the hosting provider and is typically available in the server management panel.
Note: For stores with many modifications, it's recommended to keep the option to revert to PHP 7. If your store is in the standard version, reverting is generally unnecessary.
Final Tip
Switching the store to PHP 8 can improve performance and security but requires full code compatibility with the new version.