We fully understand that, although newer PHP versions offer greater speed and security, there are specific projects, legacy systems, or custom applications that strictly require PHP 5.x to continue working correctly.
At Bacan.com, we are aware of this and offer complete flexibility in our plans so you do not have to migrate or rewrite your site under pressure.
Why keep using PHP 5.x?
Although PHP 7 and 8 are the current standard, versions 5.x (such as PHP 5.6) remain essential for:
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Websites with old WordPress themes or plugins that are not compatible with modern versions.
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Custom scripts developed years ago that use functions removed in PHP 7/8.
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Internal management systems that require stability in a specific environment.
At Bacan.com, we let you choose the version that best suits your code, ensuring your site does not «break» when switching servers.
How to switch to PHP 5.x on your Bacan account
Thanks to our version selector in DirectAdmin, you can make the switch yourself in under a minute:
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Log in to your panel: Access your DirectAdmin account.
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Find the selector: In the «Account Manager» section, click «Select PHP Version».
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Choose your version: You will see a dropdown menu with available versions. Select the one you need (for example, 5.6).
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Set as current: Click the «Set as current» button.
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Verification: Done! Your website will now run under the PHP 5.x engine immediately.
Important security recommendations
Using PHP 5.x is useful, but keep the following in mind:
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Versions without official support: PHP 5.x versions no longer receive security updates from the official PHP team. We therefore recommend keeping your CMS (WordPress, Joomla, etc.) and plugins as protected as possible at the firewall level.
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Isolation: At Bacan we use CloudLinux, which means your account is isolated from other users. Even if you use an older PHP version, other customers' security is not compromised, and yours is protected by our external security layers.
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Trial and error: If your site shows a «500 Internal Server Error» after a change, try switching to an intermediate version (such as PHP 7.4) to see if compatibility improves.
Key reminders
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Flexibility: Bacan allows you to choose from multiple PHP versions, including the 5.x branch.
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Self-service: The change is made from Select PHP Version in DirectAdmin — no need to contact support.
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Compatibility: Ideal for rescuing old projects or legacy scripts.
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Security: Your site is protected by our server's account isolation.