Ubuntu Linux

Install MySQL and MariaDB on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by

Richard

Sep 15, 2021 Updated Jul 14, 2026 5 min read

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MySQL and MariaDB are powerful database systems you can install on Ubuntu using the APT package manager.

These open-source tools store and manage data for applications. MariaDB is a community-developed alternative that started from MySQL’s code, aiming to be fully compatible so apps work with either.

This guide will walk you through installing either MySQL or MariaDB on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. We will add the necessary software sources and then install the core packages you need.

⚡ Quick Answer

Install MySQL or MariaDB on Ubuntu using the APT package manager. Update package lists with ‘sudo apt update’, then install either with ‘sudo apt install mariadb-server’ or ‘sudo apt install mysql-server’.

How to install MariaDB on Ubuntu Linux

You can easily install MariaDB on Ubuntu using the built-in apt package manager. MariaDB database packages are already in Ubuntu’s software sources. Just open a terminal and run the command `sudo apt install mariadb-server` to get it installed.

MariaDB database packages are available in Ubuntu's software sources. You install MariaDB by opening a terminal and running the `sudo apt install mariadb-server` command. The `apt` package manager, Ubuntu's software installation tool, uses this command to manage all MariaDB software needs.

To install MariaDB, run the commands below.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mariadb-server

After installing, you can run the commands below to view the MariaDB service status.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo systemctl status mariadb

After running the command above, it should output similar lines.

💻Code

mariadb.service - MariaDB 10.3.31 database server
     Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/mariadb.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
     Active: active (running) since Wed 2021-09-15 16:40:20 CDT; 22s ago
       Docs: man:mysqld(8)
             https://mariadb.com/kb/en/library/systemd/
   Main PID: 3007 (mysqld)
     Status: "Taking your SQL requests now..."
      Tasks: 31 (limit: 4651)
     Memory: 65.6M
     CGroup: /system.slice/mariadb.service
             └─3007 /usr/sbin/mysqld

Sep 15 16:40:20 ubuntu2004 /etc/mysql/debian-start[3045]: mysql
Sep 15 16:40:20 ubuntu2004 /etc/mysql/debian-start[3045]: performance_schema

To check which versions of MariaDB are running, run the commands below.

💻Code

mysql -V

That should output similar lines as below.

💻Code

mysql  Ver 15.1 Distrib 10.3.31-MariaDB, for debian-linux-gnu (x86_64) using readline 5.2

How to install the latest versions and update MariaDB

To get the newest features and security updates for MariaDB on Ubuntu, add the official MariaDB repositories. Visit the MariaDB website, pick your Ubuntu version, and choose the latest MariaDB version, like 10.6. Then, run the commands they provide to set up these official repositories.

MariaDB – Setting up MariaDB Repositories – MariaDB

To there, select the version of Ubuntu you’re installing for, then select the latest version of MariaDB. As of this writing, the latest version of MariaDB is 10.6.

Run the commands to add the 10.6 version to Ubuntu 20.04.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt-key adv --fetch-keys 'https://mariadb.org/mariadb_release_signing_key.asc'
sudo add-apt-repository 'deb [arch=amd64,arm64,ppc64el] http://sfo1.mirrors.digitalocean.com/mariadb/repo/10.6/ubuntu focal main'

Then install MariaDB

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mariadb-server

How to install MySQL on Ubuntu Linux

Installing MySQL on Ubuntu is simple because it’s available right in Ubuntu’s software sources. You can use the apt command to install it. Run `sudo apt update` followed by `sudo apt install mysql-server` in your terminal to get it set up.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mysql-server

After installing MySQL, you can check its service status by running the commands below.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo systemctl status mysql

That should output similar lines as below.

💻Code

mysql.service - MySQL Community Server
     Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/mysql.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
     Active: active (running) since Wed 2021-09-15 16:46:30 CDT; 8s ago
   Main PID: 3040 (mysqld)
     Status: "Server is operational"
      Tasks: 38 (limit: 4651)
     Memory: 353.1M
     CGroup: /system.slice/mysql.service
             └─3040 /usr/sbin/mysqld

Sep 15 16:46:29 ubuntu2004 systemd[1]: Starting MySQL Community Server...
Sep 15 16:46:30 ubuntu2004 systemd[1]: Started MySQL Community Server.

How to install the latest version of MySQL on Ubuntu Linux

If you need the absolute latest version of MySQL on your Ubuntu server, add the official MySQL repository. Go to the MySQL downloads page and find the Ubuntu/Debian repository file. Download the DEB package for your system’s architecture to get the newest releases straight from MySQL.

The link below takes you to the repository file.

https://dev.mysql.com/downloads

Visit the download page and look for Ubuntu / Debian (Architecture Independent), DEB Package. Click the Download button to get the repository package…

You can run the commands below, updating the version number (0.8.15-1) at the time of this writing with the latest from the file above.

⬛Command Prompt

cd /tmp
wget https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.15-1_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i mysql-apt-config_0.8.15-1_all.deb

When you run the commands above, you should get a config prompt

Simply select OK, as shown in the image below.

MySQL 8 on Ubuntu — mysql 8 ubuntu install

Now that the repository is installed run the commands below to install

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

How to secure MariaDB and MySQL

Securing your MariaDB and MySQL installations on Ubuntu is important. You can easily do this using the built-in security script. Just run the command `sudo mysql_secure_installation` in your terminal to do the recommended tasks that make your database installation much safer.

Run the commands below to invoke the script and perform some recommended tasks to secure the database.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo mysql_secure_installation

MariaDB and MySQL servers have the root user set to use the auth_socket authentication method by default.

The auth_socket plugin authenticates users that connect from the local host through the Unix socket file. You can’t authenticate as a root by providing a password.

Simply run the command below to log on to MariaDB and MySQL servers as root. You don’t need a password since it’s using the auth_socket method.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo mysql

The server console should come up.

💻Code

elcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or g.
Your MySQL connection id is 8
Server version: 8.0.26-0ubuntu0.20.04.2 (Ubuntu)

Copyright (c) 2000, 2021, Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its
affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective
owners.

Type 'help;' or 'h' for help. Type 'c' to clear the current input statement.

mysql>

That should do it!

Conclusion:

This guide explained how to install MariaDB or MySQL on Ubuntu Linux. Please use the comment form below if you find any errors in this guide or have something to add.

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Tags: #MariaDB #MySQL #Ubuntu Linux

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About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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