# Setting PHP versions per folder / website using .htaccess (AddHandler)

> Use an AddHandler directive in .htaccess to run different PHP versions for different folders or websites on the same hosting account.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-php/setting-php-versions-per-folder-website-using-htaccess-addhandler
Updated: 2026-06-04

---

By default, your website runs on the PHP version set in cPanel. If you need to change the PHP version account-wide, see [how to do this using the Select PHP Version tool](/knowledgebase/cpanel-how-tos/how-to-manage-the-php-version-in-cpanel-using-the-select-php-version-tool). If your account hosts multiple websites, subdomains, or addon domains, you can set a different PHP version for each one by adding an `AddHandler` rule to the relevant `.htaccess` file.

## Why set a PHP version using .htaccess?

There are several reasons you might want to do this:

- **Compatibility** - some older scripts require an older PHP version, while newer applications may need the latest release.
- **Testing and development** - you may want to test your site against a different PHP version before changing the global setting.
- **Folder-specific configuration** - you might need different PHP versions for different parts of your site, for example a legacy app in one folder and a modern app in another, or a staging copy of your site running on a newer PHP release.

:::info
Older PHP versions on our servers are security-hardened, so even if they are no longer officially supported upstream, they remain secure. That said, running an older PHP version may indicate that your application is outdated. We strongly recommend keeping your software up to date and following current security best practices.
:::

## How to set a PHP version using .htaccess

The `.htaccess` file applies settings to the folder it sits in and all its subfolders. Adding an `AddHandler` rule at the root of your site applies it to the entire site. If you only want to change the PHP version for a specific folder - such as an addon domain, subdomain, or staging environment - place the `.htaccess` file inside that folder instead.

Add the following line to the relevant `.htaccess` file, replacing `XX` with the two-digit version number:

```apacheconf
AddHandler application/x-lsphpXX .php
```

For example, to use PHP 8.1:

```apacheconf
AddHandler application/x-lsphp81 .php
```

### Examples

If you need different PHP versions for different parts of your site, create a separate `.htaccess` file in each relevant folder. Do not try to set multiple PHP versions in a single `.htaccess` file.

**Example 1: PHP 8.0 for the whole site**

Add this to `/public_html/.htaccess`:

```apacheconf
AddHandler application/x-lsphp80 .php
```

**Example 2: PHP 5.6 for a legacy application**

Create `/public_html/legacy/.htaccess` and add:

```apacheconf
AddHandler application/x-lsphp56 .php
```

**Example 3: PHP 8.2 for a staging environment**

Create `/public_html/staging/.htaccess` and add:

```apacheconf
AddHandler application/x-lsphp82 .php
```

## Supported PHP versions

The following versions are available with the `AddHandler` directive. This list was correct at the time of writing - check cPanel's Select PHP Version tool for the current list on your account.

```apacheconf
AddHandler application/x-lsphp56 .php   # PHP 5.6
AddHandler application/x-lsphp70 .php   # PHP 7.0
AddHandler application/x-lsphp71 .php   # PHP 7.1
AddHandler application/x-lsphp72 .php   # PHP 7.2
AddHandler application/x-lsphp73 .php   # PHP 7.3
AddHandler application/x-lsphp74 .php   # PHP 7.4
AddHandler application/x-lsphp80 .php   # PHP 8.0
AddHandler application/x-lsphp81 .php   # PHP 8.1
AddHandler application/x-lsphp82 .php   # PHP 8.2
AddHandler application/x-lsphp83 .php   # PHP 8.3
```

## Verifying your PHP version

1. Create a new file in your website's root folder - for example, `php_version.php` (choose your own name).
2. Add the following content:

   ```php
   <?php
   phpinfo();
   ?>
   ```

3. Save the file and open it in your browser, for example `https://yourdomain.com/php_version.php`.
4. Check the **PHP Version** shown at the top of the page.

:::danger
Delete this file immediately once you have confirmed the PHP version. Leaving it accessible exposes sensitive server configuration details to anyone who visits the URL.
:::

## Editing .htaccess

You can edit the `.htaccess` file using any of the following methods.

**cPanel File Manager**

1. Log in to cPanel and open File Manager.
2. Navigate to the folder where the `.htaccess` file should be located.
3. Click **Settings** (top-right corner) and enable **Show Hidden Files (.dotfiles)**, as `.htaccess` files are hidden by default.
4. Locate and edit the `.htaccess` file.
5. Save your changes.

**FTP/SFTP**

1. Connect to your server using an FTP client such as FileZilla.
2. Navigate to the directory containing the `.htaccess` file.
3. Download the file to your local machine.
4. Open it in a text editor, make your changes, and save.
5. Upload the modified file back to the same directory.

**SSH**

1. Connect to your server via SSH.
2. Navigate to the correct directory:

   ```bash
   cd /home/youruser/public_html/yourfolder
   ```

3. Edit the file using `nano` or `vim`:

   ```bash
   nano .htaccess
   ```

4. Make your changes and save.

:::info
If no `.htaccess` file exists yet, create a new file named exactly `.htaccess` (no extension) in the relevant directory using any of the methods above.
:::

## Important notes

- **Migrating from another host** - your existing `.htaccess` may contain PHP version directives that do not work on our servers. Other hosts use methods such as `AddType`, `SetEnv`, or `.user.ini` files, which may not be compatible here. If you experience issues after migrating, review your `.htaccess` and replace any existing PHP version settings with the `AddHandler` directive shown above.
- **PHP extensions and settings** - when you set a PHP version via `.htaccess`, the server's default extensions and settings for that version apply. To customise them, go to cPanel, open **Select PHP Version**, choose the version you have set in `.htaccess`, and adjust extensions and settings as needed. Do not click **Set as current**, as that will change the default PHP version for your entire account. See our companion article on the [Select PHP Version tool](/knowledgebase/cpanel-how-tos/how-to-manage-the-php-version-in-cpanel-using-the-select-php-version-tool) for more detail.
- **Testing before making changes** - if you are unsure whether a PHP version change will affect your site, test in a staging environment first, or back up your `.htaccess` file before editing.
- **.htaccess overrides account-wide settings** - a PHP version set in `.htaccess` takes precedence over the default version in cPanel. If your PHP version does not appear to update after changing it in cPanel, check your `.htaccess` for an `AddHandler` directive that may be enforcing a specific version.


---

_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/cpanel-php/setting-php-versions-per-folder-website-using-htaccess-addhandler · © Kualo Ltd._