Installing PHP 7.4 on AlmaLinux 9 with Virtualmin Print

Step 1: Update Your Server

Start by ensuring your system is fully updated:

sudo dnf update -y

Step 2: Add Required Repositories

PHP 7.4 isn't available in AlmaLinux 9 by default, so we'll add two repositories: EPEL and Remi.

Install the EPEL repository:

sudo dnf install -y epel-release

Install the Remi repository:

sudo dnf install -y https://rpms.remirepo.net/enterprise/remi-release-9.rpm

Step 3: Install PHP 7.4

Now, install PHP 7.4 alongside your existing PHP version:

Enable the PHP 7.4 module from Remi:

sudo dnf module enable php:remi-7.4 -y

Install PHP 7.4 and common extensions:

sudo dnf install -y php74 php74-php-fpm php74-php-cli php74-php-mysqlnd php74-php-gd php74-php-mbstring php74-php-xml php74-php-opcache

This installs PHP 7.4 in a separate directory (/opt/remi/php74/) so it won't overwrite your existing PHP version.

Add any extra extensions you need (e.g., php74-php-curl or php74-php-zip) by including them in the command.

Verify PHP 7.4 is installed:

php74 -v

You should see output like: PHP 7.4.33 (cli). This confirms PHP 7.4 is ready.

Step 4: Set Up PHP-FPM for PHP 7.4

Virtualmin works best with PHP-FPM for multiple PHP versions. Start the PHP 7.4 FPM service:

Start and enable PHP 7.4 FPM:

sudo systemctl start php74-php-fpm
sudo systemctl enable php74-php-fpm

Check that it's running:

sudo systemctl status php74-php-fpm

Look for “active (running)” in the output.

Step 5: Update Virtualmin to Recognize PHP 7.4

Tell Virtualmin about the new PHP version:

Log in to Virtualmin via your browser.

Go to System Settings > Re-Check Configuration.

Click the button to re-check. Virtualmin will scan your system and list PHP 7.4 as an available version (e.g., 7.4 at /opt/remi/php74/root/usr/bin/php-cgi).

Step 6: Assign PHP 7.4 to a Website

To use PHP 7.4 for a specific site:

In Virtualmin, select the virtual server (domain) you want to use PHP 7.4 for.

Go to Server Configuration > PHP Versions.

From the dropdown, select 7.4 and save the changes.

Your site will now use PHP 7.4, while other sites can still use the default/latest PHP version.

Step 7: Test PHP 7.4

Confirm PHP 7.4 is working:

In the virtual server's public_html folder, create a file named info.php:

echo "<?php phpinfo(); ?>" > /home/[username]/public_html/info.php

(Replace [username] with the virtual server's username.)

Visit http://yourdomain.com/info.php in a browser.

Check that the page shows “PHP Version 7.4.x”.

Once confirmed, delete info.php for security:

rm /home/[username]/public_html/info.php