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How to install MySQL Server and phpMyAdmin on a VPS (Apache)

This tutorial covers installing MySQL Server, PHP and phpMyAdmin on a Linux VPS using Apache.

Compatible with: Ubuntu 20.04 / 22.04 / 24.04

Requirements​

  • VPS with root access
  • Updated Ubuntu system
  • Apache installed

If you don't already have Apache:

apt update && apt upgrade -y
apt install apache2 -y
systemctl enable apache2
systemctl start apache2

1. Install MySQL Server​

Install MySQL:

apt install mysql-server -y

Check if it is running:

systemctl status mysql

If not active:

systemctl start mysql
systemctl enable mysql

2. Configure MySQL Security​

Run the security script:

mysql_secure_installation

Recommendations:

  • VALIDATE PASSWORD: optional (you can enter N)
  • Remove anonymous users: Y
  • Disable remote root login: Y
  • Remove test bench: Y
  • Reload privileges: Y

3. Create user and database​

Access MySQL:

mysql -u root -p

Create bank and user:

CREATE DATABASE meubanco;
CREATE USER 'usuario'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'SenhaForte123!';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON meubanco.* TO 'usuario'@'%';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Note: '%' allows remote access. For greater security, use a specific IP.

4. Install PHP and necessary extensions​

apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql php-cli php-curl php-mbstring php-xml php-zip -y

Restart Apache:

systemctl restart apache2

5. Install phpMyAdmin​

apt install phpmyadmin -y

During installation:

  • Choose: apache2
  • Configure bank automatically: Yes

6. Enable phpMyAdmin on Apache​

If it doesn't work automatically:

ln -s /usr/share/phpmyadmin /var/www/html/phpmyadmin

Restart:

systemctl restart apache2

7. Access phpMyAdmin​

In the browser:

http://IP-DA-VPS/phpmyadmin

Login:

  • User: root or the created user
  • Password: the one previously defined

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

I can't access phpMyAdmin​

Check:

systemctl status apache2

Also confirm that port 80 is allowed on the firewall:

ufw allow 80

Error "Access denied for user 'root'"​

In Ubuntu, root uses socket authentication.

Solution: use created user or change method:

mysql
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'SuaSenha';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

phpMyAdmin asks for missing extension​

Install:

apt install php-mbstring php-zip php-gd php-json php-curl -y

Restart:

systemctl restart apache2

How to allow remote access to MySQL​

Edit:

nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

Change:

bind-address = 0.0.0.0

Restart:

systemctl restart mysql

And release it on the firewall:

ufw allow 3306

Is phpMyAdmin safe?​

By default, it is not recommended to leave it public.

Recommendations:

  • Protect with additional password (Apache/Nginx)
  • Restrict by IP
  • Change default URL (/phpmyadmin)

How to change phpMyAdmin URL​

Example:

mv /var/www/html/phpmyadmin /var/www/html/painel-db

Access:

http://IP-DA-VPS/painel-db

How to remove phpMyAdmin​

apt remove phpmyadmin -y
apt purge phpmyadmin -y

Good practices​

  • Do not use root in applications
  • Create specific users per system
  • Make frequent backups
  • Restrict access to the bank
  • Monitor connections

If you still need help, open a ticket with our support.