WordPress versions

WP Cloud manages WordPress core and normally makes a new WordPress release available within 24 hours. Each site follows a managed version channel stored as wp_version, rather than installing and updating its own copy of core.

Release changes are published in the WP Cloud Platform Update Schedule and announced on the WP Cloud blog.

Host partners are responsible for choosing and managing each site’s channel, notifying end users about changes, and moving sites before a channel is retired. Follow the Platform Update Schedule for current transition dates, recommendations, and additional upgrade guidance.

Available version channels

WP Cloud can provide up to three channels:

• latest — the current WordPress release.
• previous — the previous release still available on WP Cloud.
• beta — the current beta or release-candidate version.

The availability of previous and beta is not guaranteed. previous is typically retained for 30 days, but a significant point release or platform schedule can change that period. During a transition, previous and latest can temporarily resolve to the same release.

These channel values describe platform-managed pointers rather than permanently pinned WordPress versions. For example, a site on latest receives the new stable release when WP Cloud advances that channel.

This means a channel name describes the site’s update policy, while the resolved WordPress release can change over time.

Check and change a site’s channel

The wp_version value is available through the site-meta and client-site-list operations. Use List Client Sites when checking the channels across a host client’s inventory.

Use the Configure Site WordPress Version endpoint to move a site to an available managed channel. Host partners can expose this operation in their developer or customer control panels.

Plan customer communication and site testing before a channel is retired. WP Cloud follows the WordPress core release schedule, and the Platform Update Schedule is the source for WP Cloud transition dates and current partner guidance.