Install PHP 8.5 on Ubuntu

Update apt

On Ubuntu one package is enough for this course. Refresh the package list first so apt sees the latest builds:

Update the package list

sudo apt update

Reading package lists... Done

Wait until the update finishes before installing. A stale list is the most common reason for a missing package error.

Install php-cli

Install the command line package with one command:

Install the PHP command line package

sudo apt install -y php-cli

The -y flag answers yes to the install prompt, so the command runs without stopping. Accept the extra dependency list: those are libraries PHP needs to run.

Verify with php -v

Check the version first:

Show the installed PHP version

php -v

PHP 8.5.0-1ubuntu1 (cli) (built: Nov 2026) (NTS) Copyright (c) The PHP Group

Then list the loaded modules to confirm the install is complete:

List loaded modules

php -m

calendar Core curl date mbstring

Newer versions via PPA

The stock Ubuntu release may ship an older PHP than 8.5, which is fine for this course: every example works on PHP 8.1 and newer. When you need the newest build, add the well known third party PPA ppa:ondrej/php with the system repository tool, update apt again, and install php-cli from it.

Next: Install PHP 8.5 on Rocky Linux

Article author: Arthur Isaev