---
title: How to set a different PHP version for a specific folder
description: "This guide teaches you how to use a different PHP version **only for a specific folder**, different from the one set at the account level in cPanel > Select PHP Version. This feature is useful if an application in a…"
url: "https://www.host-age.com/kb/php/different-php-version-folder/"
updated: "2026-02-07"
category: Php
---

# How to set a different PHP version for a specific folder

This guide teaches you how to use a different PHP version **only for a specific folder**, different from the one set at the account level in cPanel > Select PHP Version.

This feature is useful if an application in a subfolder requires a specific PHP version, different from the rest of the site.

**1. Check available PHP versions**

Go to the **Select PHP Version** section in cPanel and make sure the desired version (e.g., PHP 8.1) is active for your account.

**2. Create/edit a .htaccess file in the folder where you want the different PHP version**

[Open or create a **.htaccess** file](https://www.host-age.com/kb/advanced/how-access-create-htaccess-file/) in the desired folder and add the following line:

```
<FilesMatch ".(php4|php5|php3|php2|php|phtml)$">
    SetHandler application/x-httpd-alt-php81___lsphp
</FilesMatch>
```

This example sets **PHP 8.1** only for .php files in that folder.

For other PHP versions, replace php81 with the desired version code:

PHP Version | Code for .htaccess

PHP 5.6 application/x-httpd-alt-php56___lsphp
PHP 7.4 application/x-httpd-alt-php74___lsphp
PHP 8.0 application/x-httpd-alt-php80___lsphp
PHP 8.1 application/x-httpd-alt-php81___lsphp
PHP 8.2 application/x-httpd-alt-php82___lsphp
PHP 8.3 application/x-httpd-alt-php83___lsphp
PHP 8.4 application/x-httpd-alt-php84___lsphp
PHP 8.5 application/x-httpd-alt-php85___lsphp