WP Search with Algolia 3.0 and Pro 1.7.2: What’s New

We’ve released WP Search with Algolia 3.0 and WP Search with Algolia Pro 1.7.2. This is a major release. The plugin now runs on version 4 of Algolia’s PHP SDK, the minimum PHP version is now 8.1, and it includes a security fix.

⚠️ Important: Algolia SDK upgrade (v3 → v4)

This release upgrades the Algolia PHP SDK from v3 to v4, which is a breaking change. If your theme or custom plugin calls the Algolia SDK directly, update that code before or alongside this release.

• Requires PHP 8.1 or higher. Check this before updating.
• Pro users: update to Pro 1.7.2 together with 3.0.
• Sites without custom Algolia code don’t need to change anything.

📖 Read the migration guide →

Why we upgraded the Algolia SDK

Algolia no longer supports version 3 of its PHP SDK. That means no new updates and no security patches. Upgrading to v4 keeps your search running on code Algolia still maintains and secures.

SDK v4 is Algolia’s current client. It keeps WP Search with Algolia on a maintained foundation and makes future updates easier.

What’s new in WP Search with Algolia 3.0

• Algolia PHP SDK upgraded from v3 to v4
• Minimum PHP version is now 8.1 (previously 8.0), which SDK v4 requires
• Front-end JavaScript client updated: the algoliasearch client behind Autocomplete and InstantSearch goes from 4.18.0 to 4.25.2
• Fixed: an error when checking a post’s index status
• Fixed: running WP-CLI with --all no longer clears your index unless you also pass --clear
• Security: added authorization checks to the re-index and push-settings admin AJAX actions. Both now require the manage_options capability and a valid nonce.

What’s new in WP Search with Algolia Pro 1.7.2

• Adds support for Algolia PHP SDK v4, so Pro works with WP Search with Algolia 3.0.0.

Security fix

This release fixes a vulnerability that was reported to us through responsible disclosure. Two admin AJAX actions, re-indexing and pushing index settings, were missing capability and nonce checks. It’s patched in 3.0. We recommend updating promptly. Thank you to Ali Hidayat who reported it.

For developers

If your theme or custom plugin works with the Algolia PHP SDK directly, some class names and methods changed in v4. Our migration guide covers what changed, before-and-after examples, and a checklist for updating your code.

Before you update

1. Make sure your server runs PHP 8.1 or higher. You can check this under Tools → Site Health → Info → Server.
2. Check for custom Algolia code in your theme or plugins. If you find any, follow the migration guide.
3. Test on staging first if you have custom integrations.
4. Pro users: update WP Search with Algolia Pro to 1.7.2 together with the free plugin.

Questions?

If you have any issues or concerns with the update, open a thread in the WordPress.org support forum. Pro customers can reach us through our support contact form. Free changelog is on GitHub: 3.0