How to Install Nextcloud on CentOS 9

Nextcloud transforms your server into a private cloud for syncing files, sharing data, storing backups, and running collaborative apps. CentOS Stream 9 provides a stable base for hosting it with Apache, PHP, and MariaDB.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Start with a clean and updated system.

sudo dnf update -y

Step 2: Install Apache Web Server

Nextcloud runs perfectly on Apache:

sudo dnf install httpd -y
sudo systemctl enable --now httpd

Verify:

systemctl status httpd

Step 3: Install PHP and Required Extensions

CentOS 9 uses AppStream modules, but for newer PHP versions it’s better to use Remi Repo.

Enable Remi:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y
sudo dnf install https://rpms.remirepo.net/enterprise/remi-release-9.rpm -y
sudo dnf module reset php -y
sudo dnf module enable php:remi-8.2 -y
sudo dnf install -y php php-cli php-fpm php-mysqlnd php-xml php-zip php-gd php-curl php-mbstring php-intl php-bcmath php-gmp php-imagick php-redis

Restart Apache:

sudo systemctl restart httpd

Check PHP version:

php -v

Step 4: Install MariaDB Server

Nextcloud uses MariaDB/MySQL as its main database.

sudo dnf install mariadb-server -y
sudo systemctl enable --now mariadb

Secure it:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Step 5: Create Database and User for Nextcloud

sudo mysql -u root

Run:

CREATE DATABASE nextcloud;
CREATE USER 'ncuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'StrongPasswordHere';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON nextcloud.* TO 'ncuser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

Step 6: Download and Configure Nextcloud

Move to web root, download, extract:

cd /var/www/
sudo wget https://download.nextcloud.com/server/releases/latest.zip
sudo dnf install unzip -y
sudo unzip latest.zip
sudo chown -R apache:apache nextcloud
sudo chmod -R 755 nextcloud

Step 7: Configure Apache Virtual Host

Create config file:

sudo nano /etc/httpd/conf.d/nextcloud.conf

Add:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName your-domain.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/nextcloud

    <Directory /var/www/nextcloud/>
        Require all granted
        AllowOverride All
        Options FollowSymLinks MultiViews
    </Directory>

    ErrorLog /var/log/httpd/nextcloud-error.log
    CustomLog /var/log/httpd/nextcloud-access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable required modules:

sudo dnf install mod_ssl -y
sudo systemctl restart httpd

Step 8: Start the Web Installer

Open:

http://your-server-ip/

Or domain:

http://your-domain.com/

Fill in:

Admin username / password
Database: nextcloud
User: ncuser
Password: (your DB password)
Host: localhost

Click Finish Setup.