How to Change the PHP Version of a Subdomain in DirectAdmin

What is a subdomain?

A subdomain is a small extra address in front of your domain. For example, blog.example.com is a subdomain of example.com. It can hold a different website from the main one.

PHP is the language many websites run on. Each version is a little different. You may want an old version for an old app on the subdomain. Your main site can keep a newer one.

Before you start

Changing PHP can break a site. Take a backup of the subdomain files first. Also note the current version so you can go back.

Steps

1. Log in to DirectAdmin.

   

2. Open Select PHP Version. It is usually under Account Manager or Extra Features. In some skins it is part of Domain Setup.
3. Choose your main domain.
4. Look for your subdomain in the list. Some servers show subdomains as their own rows. Others show a drop-down to pick one.
5. Click the subdomain.
6. Pick the PHP version you want.
7. Click Save.
8. Visit the subdomain in your browser and test it.

If subdomains are not listed

On some setups, a subdomain follows the version of its main domain. You cannot set it by itself in the panel. You have two options.

• Ask Hostvento support if your server can set a version per subdomain.
• Add the subdomain as a separate domain on its own, if your plan allows.

Testing the version

You can check which PHP version a subdomain uses. Create a file named info.php in the subdomain folder with this one line:

<?php phpinfo();

Open subdomain.example.com/info.php in a browser. The top of the page shows the PHP version. Delete this file when you are done. It shows private details about your server.

Quick recap

• A subdomain can run on a different PHP version in some setups.
• Use Select PHP Version and choose the subdomain.

  

• Back up and test after changing.
• Delete info.php after checking.
• Ask support if the subdomain does not show.