How to Install MySQL Server on Android DeX

Android DeX is a powerful feature that transforms your Samsung device into a desktop-like environment. While it provides a great computing experience, it doesn’t natively support MySQL Server. However, you can achieve a similar setup by using Termux to install MariaDB, a MySQL-compatible database server.

This guide will walk you through installing, configuring, and running MySQL (via MariaDB) on Android DeX.

Why MariaDB Instead of MySQL?

MariaDB is an open-source fork of MySQL that retains full compatibility with MySQL commands, making it a great alternative. Unfortunately, MySQL itself is not available on Termux, but MariaDB works seamlessly in the same environment.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• A Samsung device that supports Android DeX
• An active internet connection
• Termux installed (download it from F-Droid or Google Play Store if available)

Step 1: Install Termux and Update Packages

To get started:

1. Install Termux: Open the Play Store or F-Droid and install the Termux app.
2. Open Termux and update its package list to ensure you’re working with the latest versions: pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

Step 2: Install MariaDB (MySQL Alternative)

Now, install MariaDB, which functions as a MySQL-compatible database server.

Run the following command in Termux:

pkg install mariadb -y

This will install MariaDB and all necessary dependencies.

Step 3: Initialize the Database

After installation, you need to initialize the MariaDB database with:

mysql_install_db

This command sets up the database structure and prepares it for first-time use.

Step 4: Start the MariaDB Server

To start the database server, use:

mysqld_safe --datadir=$PREFIX/var/lib/mysql &

This will run MariaDB in the background, allowing you to interact with it like a standard MySQL server.

Step 5: Secure the Database and Set Up Root Password

By default, MariaDB installs without a password, making it insecure. To fix this:

1. Log into the database as the root user: mysql -u root
2. Set a secure root password: ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'yourpassword'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES; EXIT; Replace yourpassword with a strong password of your choice.

Step 6: Enable Auto-Start for MariaDB

If you want MariaDB to start automatically when you launch Termux, add this command to your .bashrc file:

echo "mysqld_safe --datadir=$PREFIX/var/lib/mysql &" >> ~/.bashrc

Now, every time you start Termux, MariaDB will launch automatically.

Step 7: Connect to Your Database

Whenever you need to access MySQL (MariaDB), simply run:

mysql -u root -p

Then, enter your root password when prompted.