Install PHP on Linux | php-fpm & Extensions

Install PHP on Linux is one of the most common hosting searches — usually right before WordPress, Laravel, or a legacy admin panel. Modern stacks use
PHP-FPM behind Nginx or Apache, not embedded mod_php inside every Apache worker.

After PHP is running, pair with Nginx reverse proxy,
MariaDB, and
502 troubleshooting when FPM is down.

Choose PHP-FPM for New Servers

PHP-FPM runs as a separate service with its own worker pool — easier to tune and isolate than mod_php.

Install on Ubuntu / Debian

Use distribution packages unless you need a bleeding-edge minor version from a third-party repo.

bashUbuntu 22.04+

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y php-fpm php-cli php-mysql php-curl php-mbstring php-xml
php -v
sudo systemctl enable --now php8.3-fpm  # version may vary

Install on AlmaLinux / Rocky

Enable AppStream PHP or Remi when you need newer minors; always start php-fpm.

bashAlmaLinux 9

sudo dnf install -y php php-fpm php-mysqlnd php-cli
sudo systemctl enable --now php-fpm
php -v

php-fpm Pool Basics

Default pool listens on a Unix socket; Nginx must use the same path and socket permissions.

inipool snippet (concept)

; listen = /run/php/php8.3-fpm.sock
; listen.owner = www-data
; listen.group = www-data

Extensions You Actually Need

WordPress wants mysql/mysqli, curl, mbstring, xml, zip. Install only what apps require.

bashlist modules

php -m | grep -E 'mysqli|curl|mbstring|xml'

Nginx fastcgi_pass

Typical pattern: try_files then pass .php to the FPM socket.

nginxlocation ~ \.php$

location ~ \.php$ {
    include fastcgi_params;
    fastcgi_param SCRIPT_FILENAME $document_root$fastcgi_script_name;
    fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php/php8.3-fpm.sock;
}

Verify and Harden

Hit a test page, then remove phpinfo() from production.

WarningNever leave phpinfo() on a public URL — it leaks paths, modules, and environment.

Quick Reference

Package: php-fpm + app extensions
Nginx: fastcgi_pass unix:...
502 often means php-fpm stopped or wrong socket path

How to Install PHP on Linux (8.x, php-fpm, Extensions and Nginx)