Installing MySQL on Ubuntu 26.04

Ubuntu 26.04 includes MySQL 8.4 in its default APT repository with no third-party sources required. This guide covers installation, service configuration, security hardening with mysql_secure_installation, and creating a database with a scoped user ready for application use.

Install MySQL

MySQL 8.4 is available directly from Ubuntu 26.04's default APT repository.

1. Update the APT package index:

$ sudo apt update

2. Install the MySQL server package:

$ sudo apt install mysql-server -y

3. Verify the installed version:

$ mysql --version

Manage the MySQL Service

Enable MySQL as a systemd service so it starts automatically on every boot.

1. Enable and start the service:

$ sudo systemctl enable mysql
$ sudo systemctl start mysql

2. Check the service status:

$ sudo systemctl status mysql

3. Stop or restart the service when needed:

$ sudo systemctl stop mysql
$ sudo systemctl restart mysql

Secure MySQL

The mysql_secure_installation script removes default configuration risks including anonymous users, remote root login, and the test database.

1. Run the security script:

$ sudo mysql_secure_installation

2. Open the MySQL configuration file:

$ sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

Add the following line under [mysqld]:

mysql_native_password=ON

3. Restart MySQL to apply the change:

$ sudo systemctl restart mysql

4. Set the root password in the MySQL shell:

$ sudo mysql

mysql> ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH mysql_native_password BY 'your_strong_password';
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> EXIT;

Create a Database and User

$ mysql -u root -p

mysql> CREATE DATABASE myapp_db;
mysql> CREATE USER 'myapp_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'user_password';
mysql> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON myapp_db.* TO 'myapp_user'@'localhost';
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> EXIT;

Create a Sample Table

$ mysql -u myapp_user -p myapp_db

mysql> CREATE TABLE services (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(100),
    status VARCHAR(50)
);
mysql> INSERT INTO services (name, status) VALUES
    ('web', 'active'),
    ('db', 'active'),
    ('cache', 'idle');
mysql> SELECT * FROM services;
mysql> EXIT;