How to Install Lychee with Apache on Ubuntu 24.04

Setting up Lychee on your Ubuntu 24.04 server with Apache allows you to manage and display your photo collection effortlessly through a user-friendly web interface. This guide walks you through each step, from initial preparations to troubleshooting common issues, ensuring you have a fully functional Lychee installation tailored to your needs. Before starting, ensure your server is up-to-date and has a stable internet connection to download necessary packages and dependencies.

What You’ll Need

• Ubuntu 24.04 server installed and updated
• Root or sudo privileges on the server
• Domain name pointing to your server’s IP (optional but recommended)
• Basic knowledge of terminal commands
• Apache web server installed (if not, instructions included below)
• PHP 8.2 or higher supported by Lychee
• MySQL or MariaDB database server
• SSL certificate for HTTPS (optional but recommended)

Step-by-Step

1. Update Your System

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Apache Web Server

sudo apt install apache2 -y

3. Install PHP and Required Extensions

sudo apt install php php-cli php-mbstring php-zip php-gd php-xml php-mysql libapache2-mod-php -y

4. Install Database Server (MySQL/MariaDB)

sudo apt install mysql-server -y

5. Secure Your Database Installation

sudo mysql_secure_installation

6. Create a Database and User for Lychee

sudo mysql -u root -p
CREATE DATABASE lychee_db CHARACTER SET utf8mb4 COLLATE utf8mb4_unicode_ci;
CREATE USER 'lychee_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON lychee_db.* TO 'lychee_user'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

7. Download Lychee

cd /var/www/html
sudo wget https://github.com/LycheeOrg/Lychee/releases/latest/download/Lychee.zip
sudo apt install unzip -y
sudo unzip Lychee.zip -d lychee
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/lychee

8. Configure Apache Virtual Host

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/lychee.conf

Insert the following configuration, replacing ‘yourdomain.com’ with your actual domain or server IP:

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName yourdomain.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/html/lychee
    <Directory /var/www/html/lychee>
        Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
    </Directory>
    ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/lychee_error.log
    CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/lychee_access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

sudo a2ensite lychee.conf
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo systemctl restart apache2

9. Complete Lychee Installation via Web Interface

Open your browser and navigate to http://yourdomain.com or your server IP. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup, entering your database details and creating an admin account.

10. Secure Your Installation (Optional)

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y
sudo certbot --apache -d yourdomain.com

Follow the prompts to obtain and install an SSL certificate, enabling HTTPS for secure access.

Common Mistakes

• Not updating the system before starting, leading to package conflicts or missing dependencies.
• Forgetting to set correct permissions on the Lychee directory, causing access issues.
• Using incorrect database credentials during setup, which prevents Lychee from connecting to the database.
• Failing to enable Apache rewrite module, resulting in broken URLs or setup failures.
• Not securing the installation with HTTPS, exposing your data and images to potential threats.

Tips

• Always back up your database and Lychee files before making major changes or updates.
• Use strong, unique passwords for your database and admin accounts.
• Configure automatic renewal for SSL certificates to maintain HTTPS security without manual intervention.
• Regularly update Lychee and server packages to benefit from security patches and new features.
• If you encounter permission issues, ensure www-data owns the Lychee directory: sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/lychee

Troubleshooting

If Lychee does not load correctly or you encounter errors, follow these steps:

1. Check the Apache error logs: sudo tail -f /var/log/apache2/lychee_error.log
2. Verify that the database connection details are correct in the Lychee setup page.
3. Ensure PHP modules are installed and enabled: php -m | grep -i ‘mbstring\|zip\|gd\|xml\|mysql’
4. Restart Apache after any configuration changes: sudo systemctl restart apache2
5. Clear your browser cache or try accessing the site in incognito mode.
6. If HTTPS issues occur, check your SSL certificate status and renewal status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Lychee without a domain name?

Yes, you can access Lychee via your server’s IP address, but using a domain name is recommended for easier access and SSL setup.

Is Lychee safe to use on my server?

When properly configured with security best practices, including HTTPS and regular updates, Lychee is generally safe for personal use.

Can I run Lychee with other web servers like Nginx?

Yes, Lychee can be configured with Nginx, but this guide focuses on Apache. Nginx setup requires different configuration steps.

How do I update Lychee to the latest version?

Download the latest release from GitHub, replace the existing files in your Lychee directory, and run the web-based setup or command-line upgrade if available.

What are the system requirements for Lychee?

Lychee requires PHP 8.2+, a web server like Apache or Nginx, and a database like MySQL or MariaDB. Sufficient storage and RAM depend on your photo collection size.

Can I add multiple users to Lychee?

Lychee’s default setup supports a single user, but with customization or plugins, multi-user support can be added. Check the latest Lychee documentation for updates.

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