10-10-2026, 03:26 PM
aaPanel Free Edition can install PHP alongside your web server. Choose a PHP release supported by your website application, verify PHP-FPM is running, then assign that version to the website. Installing PHP does not automatically change every site's PHP version.
Tested environment
Ubuntu 22.04.5 and aaPanel Free Edition 8.0.6. PHP was installed with our first-login stack, then its service and CLI were checked on 10 October 2026. The lab binary reported PHP 8.4.26. This guide covers installation and service verification; website compatibility depends on the application.
1. Install the required PHP version
Open App Store, find PHP-8.4 and choose Install if it is not already present. Follow the version's installation dialog and wait for the task to finish. Open Installed and then PHP-8.4's Setting screen. If your application requires another supported version, install that version instead.
2. Check PHP-FPM and extensions
In the screenshot, 1 shows the service is On, 2 marks Stop/Restart/Reload and 3 marks Install extensions. The panel also displays the exact CLI binary path.
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=8]](https://adminsforum.com/attachment.php?aid=8)
Open Install extensions and compare the available modules with your application's requirements. Install only required modules; an installed PHP version is not proof that every extension your application needs is enabled.
3. Verify the correct binary
For PHP 8.4, run:
The first shows the version, the second lists CLI modules and the third checks the FPM service. Our PHP 8.4 CLI and FPM checks passed. A plain php -v can use a different system/default version, so use the explicit path when diagnosing a mismatch.
4. Assign PHP to your website
After creating a site, open its settings under Website and select its PHP version. The website's version and command-line PHP selection are separate. Verify the application's own requirements before switching an existing site.
Troubleshooting
For a 502 error, check PHP-FPM status and the website's selected version. For a missing-extension error, confirm the extension is installed for that same PHP version. Inspect PHP/FPM logs before changing upload limits or disabled functions. Do not remove security restrictions as a general fix.
Install aaPanel Free Edition on Ubuntu 22.04
Web stack setup and tutorial series
Secure aaPanel Free Edition
Official aaPanel PHP website documentation
Tested environment
Ubuntu 22.04.5 and aaPanel Free Edition 8.0.6. PHP was installed with our first-login stack, then its service and CLI were checked on 10 October 2026. The lab binary reported PHP 8.4.26. This guide covers installation and service verification; website compatibility depends on the application.
1. Install the required PHP version
Open App Store, find PHP-8.4 and choose Install if it is not already present. Follow the version's installation dialog and wait for the task to finish. Open Installed and then PHP-8.4's Setting screen. If your application requires another supported version, install that version instead.
2. Check PHP-FPM and extensions
In the screenshot, 1 shows the service is On, 2 marks Stop/Restart/Reload and 3 marks Install extensions. The panel also displays the exact CLI binary path.
Open Install extensions and compare the available modules with your application's requirements. Install only required modules; an installed PHP version is not proof that every extension your application needs is enabled.
3. Verify the correct binary
For PHP 8.4, run:
Code:
/www/server/php/84/bin/php -v
/www/server/php/84/bin/php -m
/etc/init.d/php-fpm-84 status4. Assign PHP to your website
After creating a site, open its settings under Website and select its PHP version. The website's version and command-line PHP selection are separate. Verify the application's own requirements before switching an existing site.
Troubleshooting
For a 502 error, check PHP-FPM status and the website's selected version. For a missing-extension error, confirm the extension is installed for that same PHP version. Inspect PHP/FPM logs before changing upload limits or disabled functions. Do not remove security restrictions as a general fix.
Install aaPanel Free Edition on Ubuntu 22.04
Web stack setup and tutorial series
Secure aaPanel Free Edition
Official aaPanel PHP website documentation