We’re excited to introduce today’s HostBill release, which brings important updates to PHP compatibility along with several improvements to the Auto Updater and new features across selected modules.

PHP update

This release is the last one that supports PHP versions from 7.4 up to 8.1. Starting next week, HostBill will require PHP 8.1, 8.2, or 8.3 in order to run and update properly. Any attempt to perform an auto-update on a lower, unsupported PHP version will not succeed. Because of this, clients currently using PHP 7.4 should upgrade their environment to PHP 8.1 as soon as possible to ensure continued compatibility and smooth operation.

At the same time, clients already running PHP 8.1 are advised to wait one to two weeks before upgrading further. Today’s release introduces new mechanisms designed to make future PHP upgrades safer and more predictable, and allowing a short transition period will help ensure everything works as expected.

One of the key improvements in this release is the enhanced Auto Updater. It now includes a PHP Upgrade Helper that informs users which PHP version their specific installation can theoretically upgrade to safely. This removes much of the guesswork from the upgrade process and helps prevent compatibility issues. Additionally, users can now reinstall individual modules by downloading them again, which is particularly useful when ensuring compatibility with newer PHP versions. The Auto Updater also introduces the ability to update single modules independently, rather than updating all modules at once as before, giving administrators more flexibility and control.

Another important change is the introduction of PHP compatibility checks during plugin and update downloads. The system will now verify whether the current PHP version is supported before allowing the download to proceed. On top of that, the licensing server will actively block attempts to download updates or plugins if the HostBill installation is running on an unsupported PHP version, adding an extra layer of protection and consistency.

Release notes

This release also brings several functional updates to integrated modules. The Stripe.com integration has been improved so that the ACH module now attempts to reuse previously stored customer data, streamlining payment workflows. Additionally, ACH microdeposit verification is now handled directly through the Stripe platform, aligning the process with Stripe’s native mechanisms. The Bunny DNS module has been extended with DNSSEC support, increasing security and reliability for DNS management. In the Cloud Signup module, an issue has been resolved where returning clients were incorrectly assigned products from their original registration page instead of the current login page, ensuring a more accurate and intuitive signup experience.