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Troubleshooting All-in-One WP Migration Issues with PHP Version Compatibility

20 threads Sep 7, 2025 Plugin → All-in-one wp migration and backup

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Many WordPress users rely on the All-in-One WP Migration and Backup plugin for seamless site transfers. However, a common point of confusion and frustration arises when the process doesn't work as expected, often due to underlying PHP version conflicts. This guide will help you understand and resolve these common compatibility issues.

Understanding the Core Issue

The plugin's official stance, as seen in community forums, is that it supports a wide range of PHP versions, including PHP 5.3+, 7.x, and 8.x. Despite this broad compatibility, users frequently encounter errors. These problems often stem not from the plugin's core code being incompatible with a new PHP version, but from one of two scenarios:

  1. Mismatched PHP Environments: Exporting a site from a server running a newer PHP version (e.g., PHP 8.2) and importing it to a server running an older version (e.g., PHP 8.0) can cause unexpected failures. Subtle differences between minor PHP releases can sometimes break the import process.
  2. False Positives from Checker Tools: Many users report compatibility warnings from tools like the PHP Compatibility Checker plugin. These often flag deprecated `mysql_*` functions within the plugin's vendor directory. The All-in-One WP Migration and Backup team has consistently stated these are false positives and that the plugin uses the appropriate mysqli extension for its operations, meaning these warnings can typically be ignored.

Common Symptoms

  • Import or export process failing or hanging indefinitely.
  • Error messages in the browser console related to missing .css or .js files (404 errors).
  • Warnings from hosting dashboards or compatibility checker plugins about deprecated functions.
  • Specific PHP errors, such as TypeError: mysqli_fetch_assoc(): Argument #1 ($result) must be of type mysqli_result, bool given.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Match Your PHP Versions (The Golden Rule)

The most effective way to ensure a smooth migration is to export and import your site between servers running the exact same major and minor PHP version. For example, if you exported from PHP 8.2.0, configure the destination server to use PHP 8.2.x before importing. This eliminates environment discrepancies as a variable. After a successful import, you can then safely upgrade the PHP version on the destination server.

2. Ignore False Deprecation Warnings

If your only concern is a warning from a compatibility checker tool highlighting deprecated `mysql_*` functions, you can safely proceed. The plugin's development team has indicated these warnings do not impact functionality and the plugin is designed to work with newer PHP versions.

3. Increase PHP Configuration Limits

Some failures, like the process getting stuck, are not directly related to version compatibility but to server resource limits. This is a common fix for imports stuck on "Checking extensions compatibility." Adjust the following settings in your `php.ini` file on the destination server:

  • max_execution_time = 300 (or higher)
  • upload_max_filesize = 256M
  • post_max_size = 256M
  • memory_limit = 256M

Remember to restart your web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx) after making these changes.

4. Check for File Permission Issues

The 404 errors for .css and .js files sometimes indicate that the plugin's assets were not correctly written to the server during installation, often due to restrictive file permissions. Try reinstalling the plugin on the destination site.

5. Perform a Conflict Test

If problems persist on a specific PHP version, a theme or plugin conflict could be the cause. On the destination site, try a conflict test:

  1. Switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four).
  2. Deactivate all other plugins except for All-in-One WP Migration.
  3. Attempt the import again.
  4. If it works, reactivate your theme and plugins one-by-one to identify the culprit.

Conclusion

While the All-in-One WP Migration plugin boasts wide PHP version support, successful migration often hinges on ensuring consistent server environments and adequately configured resources. By matching your PHP versions, adjusting your server settings, and performing basic conflict tests, you can resolve the vast majority of migration issues related to PHP.

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