Ubuntu Linux

How to Install PHP on Ubuntu Linux

Written by

Richard

Sep 15, 2021 Updated Jun 20, 2026 3 min read

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You install PHP on Ubuntu Linux to run server-side web development scripts.

PHP is a popular open-source scripting language vital for dynamic websites and web applications.

This guide shows you exactly how to get PHP running on your Ubuntu machine, focusing on configurations for the Apache or Nginx web servers. These servers are commonly used for hosting PHP applications like WordPress.

We’ll help you install a specific version, such as the stable PHP 8.0 release, ensuring it integrates smoothly with your web server setup.

⚡ Quick Answer

Install PHP on Ubuntu by opening your terminal and running `sudo apt update` followed by `sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php` for Apache or `sudo apt install php-fpm` for Nginx. Restart your web server afterward.

How to install PHP on Ubuntu with Apache support

Installing PHP on Ubuntu with Apache is straightforward using just a few commands.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt update
sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php

After installing PHP, restart the Apache web server so the PHP modules apply. PHP is tightly integrated with Apache. If you change PHP and want the changes to apply, restart or reload Apache.

To do that, run the commands below.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo systemctl restart apache2

How to install PHP on Ubuntu Linux with Nginx support

To install PHP on Ubuntu for Nginx, you’ll need to set up PHP-FPM, a helper tool that lets Nginx work with PHP files.

Nginx doesn’t natively handle PHP files like Apache does. To get PHP working with Nginx, you’ll need to install and use PHP-FPM (FastCGI process manager), which is a tool that helps manage PHP requests.

Run the commands below to set that up.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt update
sudo apt install php-fpm

Since PHP isn’t as integrated with Nginx, you’ll need to restart or reload both PHP and Nginx separately whenever you make PHP changes.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo systemctl restart php-fpm
sudo systemctl restart nginx

You’ll also need to add a few lines to your Nginx server block to allow it to read PHP files. Make sure you use the correct PHP version in the highlighted line below.

🐘PHP

server {

    location ~ .php$ {
        include snippets/fastcgi-php.conf;
        fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php/php8.0-fpm.sock;
    }
}

How to install PHP modules on Ubuntu Linux

You’ve now installed PHP, but there are many additional modules (also called extensions) that can boost its performance and add more features. Here are some common ones you might want to install:

🐘PHP

php-common php-cli php-gd php-curl php-mysql

How to install the latest version of PHP on Ubuntu Linux

You can install the latest PHP version on Ubuntu by adding a special software source if it’s not in the standard list.

To install the latest of other versions of PHP that are not available in the Ubuntu repository, run the commands below to install a third-party PPA repository that includes multiple versions of PHP.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

After adding the repository above, you can then install another PHP version.

🐧Bash / Shell

sudo apt install php8.0 php8.0-common php8.0-cli php8.0-gd php8.0-curl php8.0-mysql

That should do it!

Conclusion:

That’s how you install PHP on Ubuntu Linux with support for either Apache or Nginx. If you notice any errors or have anything to add, please let us know in the comments below.

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Tags: #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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