How to Install Apache, MySQL, and PHP on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

How to Install Apache, MySQL, and PHP on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Updated for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, this guide walks through installing Apache, MySQL, and PHP. Useful for quick local development, test labs, or spinning up a basic web server.

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1. Update Ubuntu

Make sure your package list is up to date:

sudo apt update

Then apply any pending updates:

sudo apt upgrade

(A reboot is usually a good idea after major upgrades)

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2. Install Apache

Install the Apache web server package:

sudo apt install apache2

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3. Install MySQL Server

Install MySQL server package:

sudo apt install mysql-server

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4. Secure MySQL Installation

Run MySQL’s secure installation script:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Follow the prompts. As of MySQL 8, you may be asked about:

• Validating password component
• Root password setup
• Remove anonymous users
• Disallow remote root login
• Remove test database
• Reload privileges

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5. Install PHP and MySQL PHP Module

Install PHP and Apache integration module:

sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql

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6. Verify PHP Installation

php -v

You should see something like PHP 8.3.x (Ubuntu 24.04 ships with PHP 8.3).

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7. Verify MySQL Installation

mysql --version

Should return MySQL 8.0.x.

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8. Apache Configuration Basics

Apache config files live here:

/etc/apache2

Virtual host configs are located here:

/etc/apache2/sites-available/

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9. Default Web Root

The default Apache document root is:

/var/www/html

You can place test files in this directory to verify Apache is serving content.

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10. Test Apache in Browser

In your browser, visit:

http://localhost

You should see the Apache2 Ubuntu Default Page.

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11. (Optional) Change Default Page to Custom Message

Example: overwrite index.html with a basic message:

sudo nano /var/www/html/index.html

Replace contents with:

404 Not Found

Save and exit. Reload http://localhost to confirm your change appears.

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