🚀 How to Install Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04

If you’re setting up a web server on Ubuntu 24.04, the classic stack of Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin is still one of the most reliable choices. This combination (often called a LAMP stack) gives you everything you need to host dynamic websites and manage your databases through a user-friendly interface.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I used to install and configure it successfully.

🔹 Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing any packages, make sure your system is up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

🔹 Step 2: Install Apache

Apache is the web server that will serve your websites:

sudo apt install apache2 -y

Enable Apache on boot:

sudo systemctl enable apache2
sudo systemctl start apache2

Test it by visiting your server’s IP in a browser:

http://your-server-ip

You should see the default Apache welcome page.

🔹 Step 3: Install MySQL

Next, install MySQL, the database system:

sudo apt install mysql-server -y

Secure MySQL and set a root password:

sudo mysql

Inside the MySQL shell, run:

ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'YourPasswordHere';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

🔹 Step 4: Install PHP

Now install PHP along with common extensions:

sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql php-cli php-mbstring php-zip php-gd php-json php-curl -y

Check version:

php -v

🔹 Step 5: Install phpMyAdmin

Ubuntu 24.04 doesn’t automatically configure phpMyAdmin in Apache, so we’ll handle that manually:

sudo apt install phpmyadmin -y

Create a new Apache config file:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/conf-available/phpmyadmin.conf

Add the following:

Alias /phpmyadmin /usr/share/phpmyadmin

<Directory /usr/share/phpmyadmin>
    Options SymLinksIfOwnerMatch
    DirectoryIndex index.php
    AllowOverride All
    Require all granted
</Directory>

<Directory /usr/share/phpmyadmin/setup>
    Require local
</Directory>

Enable and reload Apache:

sudo a2enconf phpmyadmin
sudo systemctl reload apache2

🔹 Step 6: Access phpMyAdmin

Now you can log in:

http://your-server-ip/phpmyadmin

Use:

• Username: root
• Password: the one you set in MySQL

🎯 Final Thought

You now have a fully working LAMP stack with phpMyAdmin on Ubuntu 24.04.
This setup is perfect for hosting WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, or any PHP-based application.

For better security, I recommend:

• Creating a dedicated MySQL user instead of using root
• Setting up a firewall with UFW
• Installing Let’s Encrypt SSL for secure HTTPS access

With this stack ready, you’re only a few clicks away from deploying your first web app! 🚀