Your php.ini file is the control center for setting up your environment. Here are straightforward methods to locate this file.

phpinfo() tells you where your php.ini file is

The quickest path any PHP developer discovers first is through the phpinfo() function. It’s a simple process:

• Create a new project with a PHP file named index.php.
• Add the following code:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

• Open the project in your web browser.

The “Loaded Configuration File” section will indicate where the active php.ini file is.

phpinfo() can also be used used in the command line

The equivalent of the phpinfo() function in the command line is the php -i command. Run it, and you will get this kind of output:

phpinfo()
PHP Version => 8.3.0

System => Darwin BenjBook-Pro-14.local 23.1.0 Darwin Kernel Version 23.1.0: Mon Oct  9 21:27:24 PDT 2023; root:xnu-10002.41.9~6/RELEASE_ARM64_T6000 arm64
Build Date => Nov 21 2023 14:40:35
Build System => Darwin Sonoma-arm64.local 23.0.0 Darwin Kernel Version 23.0.0: Thu Aug 17 21:24:15 PDT 2023; root:xnu-10002.1.11~3/RELEASE_ARM64_VMAPPLE arm64
…
Loaded Configuration File => /opt/homebrew/etc/php/8.3/php.ini

Neat, right? But we can do better.

The command line can also pinpoint your php.ini file

For those who favor the command line, PHP provides a straightforward command:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Type php --ini and execute it.
3. The terminal will display the path to the php.ini file.