---
url: /phonepe-whmcs/requirements.md
description: >-
  What your server and WHMCS install need before you run PhonePe for WHMCS —
  PHP, WHMCS, the ionCube Loader, the curl/openssl/json extensions, SSL, a
  PhonePe Business account and an active license, with how to check each one.
---

# Requirements

Before you install PhonePe for WHMCS, take a minute to confirm your server meets the requirements
below. Most WHMCS hosts already do — the **ionCube Loader** is the one worth checking first,
because PhonePe for WHMCS will not run without it.

## Server and software

| Requirement | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **PHP** | 8.2 or newer (runs on 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5) |
| **WHMCS** | 8.13 or newer, or 9.x |
| **ionCube Loader** | 13.0.2 or newer (see below) |
| **PHP extensions** | `curl`, `openssl`, `json` |
| **SSL certificate** | Required for the webhook endpoint |
| **A PhonePe Business account** | KYC-verified, with API credentials |
| **License** | An active PhonePe for WHMCS license |

## The ionCube Loader

PhonePe for WHMCS ships as an ionCube-encoded build, so your server needs the **ionCube Loader** —
a small, standard PHP extension that runs protected commercial software. It is the *same* loader
WHMCS itself requires, so a server already running WHMCS almost always has it and you rarely need
to install anything new.

You need **ionCube Loader 13.0.2 or newer**. The exact version tracks your PHP version — WHMCS on
PHP 8.2 uses 13.0.2, PHP 8.3 uses 14.4.0, and newer 15.x loaders work too. One encoded build runs
on every supported PHP and loader version, so there is nothing to match up.

::: danger PhonePe for WHMCS will not run without ionCube
If the ionCube Loader is missing or older than 13.0.2, the encoded gateway files won't run —
activation fails and no payments are processed. Enable **ionCube Loader 13.0.2 or newer** for your
PHP version (your host can do this in seconds) and try again.
:::

## Why a PhonePe account and SSL

PhonePe for WHMCS collects real payments through PhonePe, so you need a **PhonePe Business
account** that has completed **KYC** verification. That account gives you the **Client ID** and
**Client Secret** the gateway needs to connect — see the
[PhonePe setup guide](/phonepe-whmcs/guides/phonepe-setup).

You also need **HTTPS** working on your WHMCS domain. PhonePe delivers real-time payment results
by webhook, and that webhook endpoint must be reachable over a valid SSL certificate. If your
store already loads over `https://`, you're set.

::: info What is a webhook?
A webhook is a secure message PhonePe sends to your site the moment a payment succeeds or fails,
so an invoice can be marked paid automatically. The gateway also re-checks the status against
PhonePe's API before recording anything, so results are double-verified.
:::

## Why a license

PhonePe for WHMCS requires an active license. You enter your key in the gateway configuration
after activation — see [Installation](/phonepe-whmcs/installation) — and the license gates payment
processing: while it is inactive, payments are disabled. See
[Licensing](/phonepe-whmcs/licensing) for how the license types work.

## How to check

You don't need to guess at any of this:

* **PHP version and extensions** — open **Utilities → System → PHP Info** in the WHMCS admin, or
  ask your host. Confirm PHP 8.2+ and that `curl`, `openssl` and `json` are loaded.
* **ionCube Loader** — the same **PHP Info** page lists the ionCube Loader and its version if it
  is installed. If you can't find it, it isn't enabled.
* **WHMCS version** — shown in the WHMCS admin footer, and under **Help → System Health Status**.
* **SSL** — load your storefront and confirm the address bar shows `https://` with a valid
  certificate.

::: tip Ready to install?
Once your server checks out, head to [Installation](/phonepe-whmcs/installation) for the
step-by-step activation walkthrough.
:::

## Related pages

* [PhonePe setup](/phonepe-whmcs/guides/phonepe-setup) — business account, credentials, webhook
* [Installation](/phonepe-whmcs/installation) — upload, activate, configure
* [Configuration](/phonepe-whmcs/configuration) — the gateway fields explained
* [Licensing](/phonepe-whmcs/licensing) — how the license types work