On premium hosting you can alter php settings using various methods 

How to Change PHP Options on a cPanel Server with CloudLinux

Overview

This guide explains how to modify PHP options on a cPanel server running CloudLinux. CloudLinux provides multiple methods to configure PHP settings, including PHP Selector for end-users and server-wide configurations for administrators.

Prerequisites

• cPanel/WHM access
• CloudLinux OS installed
• PHP Selector enabled in CloudLinux
• Appropriate user permissions (end-user or root/administrator)

Method 1: Using PHP Selector (For End Users)

PHP Selector allows hosting customers to select PHP versions and configure PHP options through their cPanel interface.

Step 1: Access PHP Selector in cPanel

1. Log into your cPanel account
2. Navigate to the Software section
3. Click on Select PHP Version

Step 2: Select PHP Version

1. From the dropdown menu, select your desired PHP version
2. Click Set as current to apply the version

Step 3: Configure PHP Options

1. Click on the Options tab
2. Modify the following common PHP settings as needed:
   • memory_limit - Maximum memory a script can consume
   • max_execution_time - Maximum time a script can run
   • upload_max_filesize - Maximum file upload size
   • post_max_size - Maximum POST data size
   • max_input_time - Maximum input parsing time
   • max_input_vars - Maximum number of input variables
3. Changes are saved automatically when you modify values

Step 4: Managing PHP Extensions

1. Click on the Extensions tab
2. Check or uncheck extensions as needed
3. Common extensions include:
   • mysqli
   • pdo_mysql
   • gd
   • curl
   • mbstring
   • zip
   • xml

Method 2: Using .htaccess File

Users can also override certain PHP settings using .htaccess access files

You can create a .htaccess file using your file manager (or add to it if it already exists) 

examples are :

    php_value memory_limit 256M
    php_value max_execution_time 300
    php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
    php_value post_max_size 64M

Method 3: Using php.ini file 

Users can also override certain PHP settings using a php.ini file, upload the file into the folder you want to apply the changes to 

    memory_limit = 256M
    max_execution_time = 300
    upload_max_filesize = 64M
    post_max_size = 64M

Common PHP Options Reference

Directive
Description
Default
Recommended
memory_limit
Maximum memory per script
128M
256M-512M
max_execution_time
Maximum script execution time
30
60-300
upload_max_filesize
Maximum upload file size
2M
32M-128M
post_max_size
Maximum POST data size
8M
32M-128M
max_input_time
Maximum input parsing time
60
60-300
max_input_vars
Maximum input variables
1000
2000-5000
display_errors
Show errors on screen
Off
Off (production)
error_reporting
Error reporting level
E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED
E_ALL & ~E_DEPRECATED
date.timezone
Default timezone
System
Your timezone
session.gc_maxlifetime
Session lifetime
1440
1440-7200