How to Install Nextcloud on Debian 13

Nextcloud is a powerful self-hosted cloud platform for file syncing, backups, collaboration, and secure personal or business data. Debian 13 (Trixie) makes installation stable and clean with Apache, PHP, and MariaDB.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Start with a fully updated Debian system.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Apache Web Server

Nextcloud works seamlessly with Apache.

sudo apt install apache2 -y
sudo systemctl enable --now apache2

Check status:

systemctl status apache2

Step 3: Install PHP and Required Extensions

Nextcloud depends on several PHP modules. Install everything in one command:

sudo apt install -y php php-fpm php-cli php-common php-mysql 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 apache2

Check PHP version:

php -v

Step 4: Install MariaDB Server

Nextcloud uses MySQL/MariaDB as its database backend:

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

Secure the installation:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Step 5: Create Nextcloud Database and User

Log into MariaDB:

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

Go to /var/www/ and download the latest Nextcloud release:

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

Step 7: Configure Apache Virtual Host

Create the configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/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 ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/nextcloud-error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/nextcloud-access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Enable site + modules:

sudo a2ensite nextcloud.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite headers env dir mime
sudo systemctl reload apache2

Step 8: Run the Nextcloud Web Installer

Open your browser and visit:

http://your-server-ip/

Or:

http://your-domain.com/

Fill in:

• Admin username & password

• Database: nextcloud

• DB user: ncuser

• Password: (your DB password)

• Host: localhost

Then click Finish Setup.