Is EWWW Image Optimizer Compatible With Your PHP Version?

One of the most common questions users have about the EWWW Image Optimizer plugin is its compatibility with newer PHP versions. This is a critical concern, as running outdated PHP can pose security risks and impact site performance. This guide will help you understand the plugin's PHP compatibility and address common false warnings.

Understanding PHP Compatibility Reports

Many users run PHP compatibility checkers, such as WP Engine's PHP Compatibility Checker or the 'PHP Compatibility Checker' plugin, before upgrading their server. These tools are excellent for due diligence, but they can sometimes generate false positives.

A very common warning relates to the deprecated safe_mode INI directive:

FILE: /wp-content/plugins/ewww-image-optimizer/unique.php
FOUND 0 ERRORS AND 1 WARNING AFFECTING 1 LINE
613 | WARNING | INI directive 'safe_mode' is deprecated since PHP 5.3 and removed since PHP 5.4

Why this is a false warning: The EWWW Image Optimizer plugin does not use or enable `safe_mode`. The code simply checks for its existence, a practice that is harmless on modern PHP versions where the setting has been completely removed. This warning does not indicate a functional problem and can be safely ignored.

Official PHP Version Support

Based on testing and user reports, here is the known compatibility for EWWW Image Optimizer:

• PHP 5.6 - 7.2: These versions are specifically tested by the EWWW Image Optimizer team. The plugin runs stably in this environment.
• PHP 7.3 & 7.4: The plugin has passed unit tests on PHP 7.3. Many users, including the developer, successfully run the plugin on these versions without issue.
• PHP 8.0, 8.1, & 8.2: The plugin is used on these newer versions and generally works correctly. Users may encounter non-breaking deprecation notices (not errors), which do not affect functionality. Full official testing for these versions may be ongoing.

The EWWW Image Optimizer team maintains a public unit testing workflow (viewable on Travis CI) that demonstrates its compatibility across numerous PHP versions.

Troubleshooting Steps After a PHP Upgrade

If you experience problems after upgrading PHP, follow these steps:

1. Check Your Error Logs: The first step is always to check your WordPress debug log and server error log. Any true errors will be logged here and provide the specific clue needed to diagnose the problem.
2. Re-run Optimization: If an image optimization fails, try running the process again. Temporary glitches can sometimes occur.
3. Confirm Web Server Requirements: Ensure that your server has the necessary image libraries (like GD or ImageMagick) installed and that they are compatible with your new PHP version.

Conclusion

In summary, EWWW Image Optimizer has a strong track record of compatibility with modern PHP versions, from 5.6 all the way to 8.2. Warnings about `safe_mode` are false positives and do not impact functionality. For the most up-to-date information, you can refer to the plugin's documentation on upgrading PHP.