Is xmlrpc.php Really Needed for WordPress Nowadays on 2026?

If you manage a WordPress website, you have probably seen a file called xmlrpc.php.

It just sits there in your main folder. Maybe your hosting provider told you to disable it. Maybe your security plugin keeps warning about it. Or maybe you saw strange login attempts in your logs.

So now you're thinking:

"Do I really need this file?"
"Can I just delete it?"

What Is xmlrpc.php file?

xmlrpc.php is a default file that comes with every WordPress installation.

You didn't add it. It has always been there. Its job is simple. It allows your WordPress site to connect with external apps.

In the past, this was very useful. For example:
•Publishing posts from a mobile app
•Managing your site from desktop blogging software
•Handling pingbacks and trackbacks
•Connecting some third-party tools

Years ago, this was very important. But today, not so much.

Why Was this file Important Before?

Before WordPress had the REST API, xmlrpc.php was the main way external apps connected to your site. If you wanted to post from your phone, you needed it. Or if you used certain automation tools, you needed it.

Now WordPress has the REST API built in. It does the same job. But it is more secure and more modern.

That' why many websites don't really need xmlrpc.php anymore.

Why Do Security Plugins Warn About It?

Here's the honest reason. 

Hackers target xmlrpc.php all the time. It is commonly used in brute force attacks. Instead of trying to log in through the normal login page, attackers use xmlrpc.php to test many passwords very quickly.

It can also be used for:

• DDoS-style traffic abuse
• Pingback attacks
• Server overload

Even if you never use it, bots will still try to access it. That's why security tools keep warning you about it.

What Happens If You Delete It?

Now let's answer the direct question.

If you delete xmlrpc.php, what happens? For most normal websites… nothing obvious.

Your website will still:

• Load normally
• Let you log in
• Allow you to publish posts
• Run your themes and plugins

But here is the important part.

You should not delete it. Why?

Because it is a WordPress core file.

If you delete it:

• It will come back after a WordPress update
• You may see file change warnings
• It’s not considered proper practice

Deleting core files is not the correct way to secure a site.

So, Should You Disable It?

In most cases, yes.

Ask yourself:

• Do I only use the WordPress dashboard to post content?
• Do I not use remote publishing apps?
• Do I not rely on special automation tools?

If your answer is yes, you can safely disable it.

Most business websites and blogs do not need it anymore.

The Right Way to Handle It

Do not delete the file. Disable it properly. Here are simple ways to do that.

Option 1: Use a Security Plugin

Many security plugins allow you to disable XML-RPC with one click. This is the easiest method.

• All In One WP Security & Firewall
• Wordfence Security

Option 2: Block It Using .htaccess

If you use Apache hosting, you can add this to your .htaccess file:

This blocks access but keeps the file in place.

Last Words

If you are running a normal WordPress website in 2026, you probably do not need xmlrpc.php. But don't delete it. Disable it properly. Keep your WordPress core clean. Let updates run without problems. Good security is not about removing files randomly.

It is about understanding what your website actually uses and turning off what you don't need.

Check more wordpress security tips: View Article