GUIDE
Joomla 6 hosting and server requirements
The tracker's requirements table is short on purpose. This page explains what the entries mean, how to check your own server and what to ask a host before you move.
Updated 6 October 2026
joomla6.com is independent and unofficial. For release notes, downloads and the supported upgrade path, use the official Joomla 6 page. Check version numbers there before you act on anything here.
What the requirements are
The one figure we track here is the PHP minimum: Joomla 6.x needs PHP 8.3 or later. The full list also covers the database server, PHP extensions and web server settings. It changes between releases, so always read it on the official Joomla 6 page and not on a copy.
Check what you have now
- Log in to your Joomla administrator.
- Open System, then System Information.
- On the System Information tab, read the PHP Version line.
- On the PHP Settings and PHP Information tabs, check the loaded extensions against the official list.
- Open the Database line to see your database type and version, and compare that with the official requirement as well.
How to change PHP version
The method depends on your host. These are the usual places:
| Hosting type | Where to look |
|---|---|
| cPanel | Software, then MultiPHP Manager. Select your domain and pick a version. |
| Plesk | Websites and Domains, then PHP Settings for your domain. |
| Managed Joomla or WordPress host | A PHP version selector in the host's own control panel, or a support ticket. |
| Your own server (VPS) | Install the PHP version you need from your system's package source, point the web server at it and restart. |
After a change, reload System Information to confirm the version Joomla actually sees.
Questions to ask a host
- Which PHP versions can I choose, and how long will each be supported?
- Can I pick the version per site, or is it set for the whole account?
- Which database server and version do you run?
- Do you take daily backups, and can I restore them myself?
- Do you offer a staging copy of my site?
- What are the PHP memory limit and the maximum upload size?
Shared hosting, VPS or managed?
Shared hosting is cheap and fine for a small brochure site, as long as the host keeps up with PHP releases. A VPS gives you control and costs you maintenance time: updates, backups and security are yours. Managed hosting costs more and takes the server work off you. If you do not want to maintain a server, pay for managed.
Warning signs a host is behind
- The newest PHP version on offer is more than a year old.
- You cannot change PHP without a support ticket that takes days.
- The control panel is old and lists versions that have no security support.
Running an unsupported PHP version is a security risk whatever CMS you use. Upgrading Joomla is a good moment to deal with it.