How to Install MySQL 8 on Ubuntu 26.04

To install MySQL 8 on Ubuntu 26.04, use the distro package (MySQL 8.4) and run mysql_secure_installation.

Step 1 : Update.

sudo apt update

Step 2 : Install MySQL. Ubuntu’s package is MySQL 8.4.

sudo apt install mysql-server

Step 3 : Secure the install. VALIDATE PASSWORD depends on the machine (Y then 0/1/2, or N).

sudo mysql_secure_installation

• Remove anonymous users: Y
• Disallow root login remotely: Y
• Remove test database: Y
• Reload privilege tables: Y

Step 4 : Start and enable.

sudo systemctl start mysql
sudo systemctl enable mysql

Step 5 : Check status.

sudo systemctl status mysql

Step 6 : Log in. Root uses the socket — do not pass -p.

sudo mysql

Step 7 : Create an admin user (change the password).

CREATE USER 'admin'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'strong_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'admin'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

You have installed MySQL 8 on Ubuntu 26.04.