Hello.

Instead of cookies, I utilize sessions in my PHP file by invoking session_start(). I would like to prolong the session's lifespan. However, editing the php.ini file on the hosting is not allowed and I am recommended to specify all settings in .htaccess. So I added a line that sets the session.gc_maxlifetime to 10900, which should equate to three hours, but despite these measures the session still ends prematurely.

Do you have any suggestions on what else I could do to solve this issue?

Another aspect to consider, aside from setting session settings.gc_maxlifetime and session.cookie_lifetime, is where the session files are stored.
If multiple PHP scripts with different settings share the same folder for session files, the most minimal settings will be applied to all. To avoid this, it's recommended to store session files in a designated folder for each individual website.

You can also use the ini_set('session.save_path', value) function to explicitly set the path to the session files and ensure they are stored in a separate folder.

To address the issue at hand, you may want to try adding the following code snippet at the beginning of your scripts:

session_set_cookie_params(86400);
ini_set('session.gc_maxlifetime', 86400);
This sets the session cookie lifetime and garbage collection max lifetime to 86400 seconds (or one day). After making these adjustments, check to ensure that phpinfo reflects the updated values.

When working within hosting limitations that prevent direct access to the php.ini file, you can utilize the .htaccess file to override certain PHP settings, including session parameters.

First, let's delve into how sessions and session lifespan are managed. When a session is started in PHP using session_start(), a session ID is generated for the user. This session ID is stored in a cookie by default, allowing the user's session to persist across requests. The session ID is used to retrieve the session data stored on the server. The session.gc_maxlifetime setting defines the maximum lifetime of a session in seconds before it is considered for garbage collection.

It's worth noting that changes made in .htaccess to override PHP settings may be subject to server configuration restrictions, so it's crucial to verify that the server allows such overrides. Assuming that the server does permit the use of .htaccess for PHP settings, you can make adjustments to session parameters.

In your .htaccess file, you've rightly attempted to extend the session lifespan by setting session.gc_maxlifetime to 10900 (which is approximately 3 hours). However, there are additional considerations to ensure consistent session lifespan. Here are some further steps you can take:

1. Session Save Path: Check that the session save path is accessible and writable by the web server. You can specify the session save path in PHP using session_save_path(). If the default session save path is inaccessible, session data may not persist as expected.

2. Regenerate ID: Occasionally regenerating the session ID using session_regenerate_id() can help mitigate session fixation and improve security, but it may impact the perceived session lifespan if not managed correctly.

3. Session Cookie Parameters: Adjusting the session cookie parameters can also impact the session lifespan. You can use session_set_cookie_params() to modify the session cookie parameters, including the expiration time.

4. Session Handling: Ensure that your PHP code is appropriately managing session expiration and renewal. Sessions should be properly started and destroyed based on user activity.

If, after thorough review and adjustment, the session lifespan still ends prematurely, it may be beneficial to consider alternative session management solutions. This could involve implementing custom session handling or exploring the use of database-backed sessions for more robust control over session persistence.
While setting session.gc_maxlifetime in .htaccess is a step in the right direction, it's imperative to consider additional factors that could impact session lifespan. By understanding the intricacies of session management and making careful adjustments, you can establish a reliable and extended session lifespan for your PHP application within the constraints of your hosting environment.

It's crucial to understand that simply setting session.gc_maxlifetime in .htaccess may not be enough to extend session lifespan effectively. This directive only specifies the maximum lifetime of session data on the server and does not control the actual session timeout. If your sessions are expiring prematurely, you might want to check the session.cookie_lifetime setting as well. If it's set to zero, the session will end when the browser is closed, regardless of the gc_maxlifetime value. You can set it in .htaccess with php_value session.cookie_lifetime 10900 to match your session duration.

Additionally, ensure that there's no other code or configuration that might be interfering with session management. Look for any session regeneration logic or custom session handlers that might inadvertently be terminating sessions. If you're still facing issues, consider implementing a session keep-alive mechanism using AJAX calls to periodically refresh the session.