How to Install MySQL 8 on Ubuntu 18.04

Updated: February 18, 2026

Introduction

MySQL is a widely used open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that utilizes structured query language (SQL) for managing data effectively. It is often part of the popular LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl) stack used for web development. This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing MySQL 8 on Ubuntu 18.04, ensuring that you can set up a robust database.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure you have:

• One Ubuntu 18.04 server.
• A non-root user with sudo privileges.
• A firewall configured to allow necessary ports.

Step 1 — Installing MySQL

To start the installation of MySQL, you need to update your package index. Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update

Next, install the MySQL server package:

sudo apt install mysql-server

Once the installation is complete, ensure the MySQL service is running:

sudo systemctl start mysql.service

This command will start the MySQL server. However, at this stage, it is important to configure it for better security.

Step 2 — Configuring MySQL

After installing MySQL, you should run a security script that comes with it. This script will help you improve the security of your installation. Execute the following command:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

During this process, you will be prompted with several questions. Here are the main steps:

• You can choose to enable the Validate Password Plugin, which tests password strength.
• You will be asked to set a password for the MySQL root user; select a strong password and confirm it.
• For the subsequent prompts, it is recommended to press Y and then ENTER to accept the default options. This will remove anonymous users, disable remote root logins, and remove the test database.

Complete the prompts to finalize the security setup of your MySQL installation. By default, the data directory is automatically initialized for MySQL versions 5.7.6 and later, so no further action is needed.

Advanced Configuration

For advanced configuration of MySQL, you may want to edit the MySQL configuration file located at:

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

Common configuration changes include:

• Changing the default port: Modify the line port = 3306 to your desired port.
• Setting the bind address: Change bind-address to 0.0.0.0 to allow external connections (ensure security measures are in place).
• Memory allocation: Configure the innodb_buffer_pool_size to improve performance based on your server's RAM.

After making any changes, restart the MySQL service to apply them:

sudo systemctl restart mysql.service

Best Practices

To ensure that your MySQL installation remains secure and efficient, consider the following best practices:

• Regularly update MySQL to the latest version to benefit from security patches and new features.
• Implement regular backups of your databases to prevent data loss.
• Use strong passwords and periodically change them.
• Limit user privileges to the minimum necessary for their roles.
• Monitor logs for any unusual activities to detect potential security issues.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during or after installation, consider these tips:

• If MySQL fails to start, check the status with sudo systemctl status mysql.service for error messages.
• Look at the logs located in /var/log/mysql/error.log for specific error details.
• If you face authentication issues, ensure that you are using the correct username and password.
• Check your firewall settings to ensure that the MySQL port (default 3306) is open.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you have successfully installed MySQL 8 on Ubuntu 18.04 and configured it for secure access. By following the outlined steps and best practices, you can maintain a secure and efficient database environment suitable for development and production scenarios. Always remember to monitor your server and apply security updates regularly.

This HTML document provides a comprehensive guide on installing MySQL 8 on Ubuntu 18.04, structured for clarity and ease of use, and encapsulates key steps, configurations, best practices, and troubleshooting measures.