- How can I know which ‘php.ini’ file is used?
- 7 Answers 7
- Where can php.ini be Found
- Method 1: Creating a new PHP File
- Method 2: Using php -i
- CLI
- APACHE
- Nginx either Apache with PHP-FPM
- Method 3: Using the locate Command
- How to Edit php.ini in Linux
- APACHE
- Nginx or Apache with PHP-FPM
- Where is my PHP php.ini Configuration File Located?
- Method 1
- Method 2
- CLI
- Apache
- Nginx or Apache with PHP-FPM
- Method 3
- Editing php.ini in Linux
- Apache
- Nginx or Apache with PHP-FPM
- Older Versions
- No replies yet
- 2 replies
- Leave a reply Cancel reply
- Find the correct php.ini file
- 7 Answers 7
How can I know which ‘php.ini’ file is used?
I search the path where the php.ini file is located in our Linux Ubuntu server, and I found many php.ini files when executing the command find / -name php.ini . So how can I know exactly from a PHP script web page where the php.ini is located?
7 Answers 7
For the webserver-SAPIs use phpinfo()
bash-3.2# php --ini Configuration File (php.ini) Path: /usr/local/php5/lib Loaded Configuration File: /usr/local/php5/lib/php.ini Scan for additional .ini files in: /usr/local/php5/php.d Additional .ini files parsed: /usr/local/php5/php.d/10-extension_dir.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/20-extension-opcache.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/40-openssl.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-apcu.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-curl.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-gmp.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-imap.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-intl.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-mcrypt.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-mssql.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-pdo_pgsql.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-pgsql.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-propro.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-raphf.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-readline.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-xdebug.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/50-extension-xsl.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/60-extension-pecl_http.ini, /usr/local/php5/php.d/99-liip-developer.ini
Where can php.ini be Found
This tutorial is dedicated to an issue that almost every developer may come across. It’s where to find the php.ini file.
As multiple versions of PHP exist with different server configurations, the php.ini file may be placed in different folders.
Here, we will provide you with three methods that will help you to find php.ini in a straightforward way.
Method 1: Creating a new PHP File
The first method to find the php.ini file is creating a new PHP file called info.php . Here is how you can implement it:
You need to load this file in the browser, pressing CTRL + F and looking for “Loaded Configuration File”. You may see what is demonstrated below:
It will tell you the exact location of the php.ini file.
Method 2: Using php -i
For locating the php.ini configuration file, you can run the code below in Linux:
$ php -i | grep "Loaded Configuration File"
In the Windows Command Line, you can invoke:
php -i | findstr /c:"Loaded Configuration File"
The output will look like this:
Loaded Configuration File => /etc/php/7.2/cli/php.in
So, from the example mentioned above, we found out that the PHP install is placed inside /etc/php/7.2 . But, there is an essential thing to consider: there exist three distinct configuration files. Let’s take a look at them:
CLI
For the CLI PHP program, there exists /etc/php/7.2/cli/php.ini . Modifications in this config file will only impact PHP because it operates within the terminal. Hence, the web server will not be affected by that.
APACHE
For the plugin used for APACHE, there exists /etc/php/7.2/apache2/php.ini . You are required to edit it once you work with the APACHE web server.
Nginx either Apache with PHP-FPM
Now, let’s have a look at /etc/php/7.2/apache2/php.ini . It is considered a fastcgi-compatible ‘wrapper’. You are required to edit it once you work with Apache with PHP-FPM or Nginx web server.
Method 3: Using the locate Command
The third method is using the locate command in Linux. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can act like this:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install mlocate
Then, run the locate command as follows:
After running this command, you will notice the list of php.ini files.
How to Edit php.ini in Linux
In this section, we will demonstrate how to edit php.ini on APACHE and Nginx or Apache with PHP-FPM.
APACHE
As a rule, the php.ini file is located in /etc/php/7.2/apache2/php.ini on APACHE. You can replace it with the version that you use. For example, php 7.1 , and so on.
For editing, you can act like this:
sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/apache2/php.ini
If you work with PHP FPM, it can be placed in /etc/php/7.2/fpm/php.ini . So, change the 7.2 version to your own version.
For editing, you can act like this:
sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/fpm/php.ini
Afterwards, you need to press CTRL + X , pressing Y and then — ENTER. In this way, you will save the file and exit it.
After alerting php.ini, you need to restart APACHE.
If you use PHP-FMP, you should restart it.
Nginx or Apache with PHP-FPM
As a rule, Nginx works with PHP-FPM. The php.ini file is placed inside /etc/php/7.2/fpm/php.ini . You need to replace the 7.2 version with your own one.
sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/fpm/php.ini
For saving the file, you need to press CTRL + X . Afterwards, press Y and then ENTER .
After the alert of the php.ini file, it is necessary to restart Nginx like this:
After the alert of the php.ini file, it is necessary to restart Nginx like this:
sudo service nginx restart
So, in this tutorial, we represented to you three different and efficient ways to find the php.ini file. After checking out all the examples above, you can choose the best one for you.
Where is my PHP php.ini Configuration File Located?
In this article, we will guide you on a treasure hunt to find the php.ini configuration file, unravel its mysteries, and unlock the full capabilities of your PHP environment. Whether you are a seasoned PHP developer or a newcomer to the world of web development, understanding the ins and outs of this essential configuration file will make your journey smoother and your projects more efficient. So, let’s embark on this exciting quest to locate and master the php.ini file!
Method 1
One way to find out exactly which php.ini file your web sever is using is by creating a new PHP file in document root called info.php .
Load this file in your browser, press CTRL + F (or Command + F on Mac) and search for “Loaded Configuration File”. You should see something like
This will tell you the exact location of the php.ini file you want to edit.
Method 2
In Linux, run this command to locate the PHP.ini configuration file.
Or in Windows Command Line:
The result should be something like this:
In the above example, we can see that the PHP install is located in /etc/php/8.1 . Note that there are three different configuration files you should we aware of:
CLI
/etc/php/8.1/cli/php.ini is for the CLI PHP program. Changes to this config file will only affect PHP as it runs in the terminal – it will NOT affect the web server.
Apache
/etc/php/8.1/apache2/php.ini is for the PHP plugin used by Apache. This is the one you need to edit if you are using the Apache web server.
Nginx or Apache with PHP-FPM
/etc/php/8.1/fpm/php.ini is a fastcgi-compatible ‘wrapper’ for PHP processing. This is the one you need to edit if you’re using the Nginx web server or Apache with PHP-FPM.
Method 3
Using the locate command in Linux,. If it’s not already installed, run sudo apt update && sudo apt install mlocate .
You should see a list of php.ini files here. Try editing one of them and restarting you web server to see if makes the required changes.
Editing php.ini in Linux
Apache
On Apache, php.ini is usually located in /etc/php/8.1/apache2/php.ini . Replace 8.1 with your own version, e.g, php5.6 , php7.4 , etc.
However, if you are using PHP FPM, it may be located in /etc/php/8.1/fpm/php.ini . Replace 8.1 with your own version, e.g, php5.6 , php7.4 , etc.
To save file and exit, press CTRL + X , press Y and then press ENTER
You must restart Apache after altering php.ini .
If you are using PHP-FPM, you must restart that service. Replace php8.1 with your own version, e.g, php5.6 , php7.4 , etc.
Nginx or Apache with PHP-FPM
Nginx uses PHP FPM and php.ini is usually located in /etc/php/8.1/fpm/php.ini . Replace 8.1 with your own version, e.g, php5.6 , php7.4 , etc.
Save and exit (press CTRL + X , press Y and then press ENTER )
You must restart Nginx after altering php.ini .
Older Versions
For versions of Ubuntu lower than 16.04, /etc/php/5.6/ , /etc/php/7.0/ , /etc/php/7.1/ , and so on, are replaced by /etc/php5/ and so on. Otherwise, these paths remain accurate.
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Very good… this information saved me!
Find the correct php.ini file
I am currently trying to locate the correct php.ini file to edit it and restart apache so the changes will take place and I’m stumped. I have found three different php.ini files (no idea why there are three) this is how I found the files
$ sudo find / -name php.ini /etc/php5/cli/php.ini /etc/php5/apache2/php.ini /etc/php5/cgi/php.ini
$ sudo php -i | grep 'Configuration File' Configuration File (php.ini) Path => /etc/php5/cli Loaded Configuration File => /etc/php5/cli/php.ini
sudo service apache2 restart
* Restarting web server apache2
echo ini_get('post_max_size');
Which was supposed to be changed to 20M but was still only 2M I tried rebooting my computer thinking maybe that would stop the apache server and reload the php.ini file with the correct setting, but alas that attempt also failed. Is there any chance there could be another php.ini file that could be interfering?
@Michael The file is /etc/php/5.6/apache2/php.ini in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Xenial Xerus, where 5.6/ is the version of php installed. First copy the file to php.original.ini then open for editing with sudo gedit /etc/php/5.6/apache2/php.ini
7 Answers 7
The three files you have there are each meant for different uses.
/etc/php/5.6/cli/php.ini is for the CLI PHP program, which you found by running php on the terminal.
/etc/php/5.6/cgi/php.ini is for the php-cgi system which isn’t specifically used in this setup.
/etc/php/5.6/apache2/php.ini is for the PHP plugin used by Apache. This is the one you need to edit for changes to be applied for your Apache setup which utilizes the in-built PHP module to Apache.
/etc/php/5.6/fpm/php.ini is for the php5-fpm processor, which is a fastcgi-compatible ‘wrapper’ for PHP processing (such as to hand off from NGINX to php5-fpm ) and runs as a standalone process on the system (unlike the Apache PHP plugin)
For versions of Ubuntu lower than 16.04, /etc/php/5.6/ , /etc/php/7.0/ , /etc/php/7.1/ , and so on, are replaced by /etc/php5/ and so on. Otherwise, these paths remain accurate. Adapt this accordingly for your environment, replacing the 5.6 or number with the actual version folder that exists on your environment.