Imagick is a PHP extension to create and modify images using the ImageMagick library. Those unfamiliar with the ImageMagick software are open-source, free software that can convert, read, write, and process raster images. Currently, the PHP extension only supports PHP 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 8.0 and 8.1.
In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install PHP ImageMagick (IMAGICK) on Ubuntu 20.04.
Note, visit the tutorial How to Install ImageMagick on Ubuntu 20.04 for installing package ImageMagick.
Prerequisites
- Recommended OS: Ubuntu 20.04.
- User account: A user account with sudo or root access.
Update Operating System
Update your Ubuntu operating system to make sure all existing packages are up to date:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yThe tutorial will be using the sudo command and assuming you have sudo status.
To verify sudo status on your account:
sudo whoamiExample output showing sudo status:
[joshua@ubuntu ~]$ sudo whoami
rootTo set up an existing or new sudo account, visit our tutorial on How to Add a User to Sudoers on Ubuntu.
To use the root account, use the following command with the root password to log in.
suThe tutorial will utilize the terminal interface, which can be found in the show applications menu.
Example:
Install PHP ImageMagick on Ubuntu
You have two choices for installation. One is the default Ubuntu repository or installed from the PPA by Ondřej Surý. The tutorial will cover both options, and you can best decide which one to choose.
Install PHP-IMAGICK from Ubuntu Repository
The first option is to use the official 20.04 Ubuntu repository, and this is one of the most preferred options and arguably the most stable. The only drawback will be outdated for new builds and improvements compared to the other two options.
Install php-imagick with the following command:
sudo apt install php-imagickAlternatively, specific versions.
Install 7.4 PHP-IMAGICK:
sudo apt install php7.4-imagickInstall 8.0 PHP-IMAGICK:
sudo apt install php8.0-imagickNext, verify the installation:
php -m | grep imagickExample output:
imagickInstall PHP-IMAGICK from PHP PPA by Ondřej Surý
The second installation choice is recommended over the default repository by installing the PPA by Ondřej Surý. For those unfamiliar, Ondřej Surý is the maintainer for PHP at Debian and always updates this PPA with the latest stable versions of PHP released.
First, install the PPA as follows:
sudo apt install software-properties-common && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php -yNow install php-imagick:
sudo apt install php-imagickAlternatively, specific versions.
Install 7.4 PHP-IMAGICK:
sudo apt install php7.4-imagickInstall 8.0 PHP-IMAGICK:
sudo apt install php8.0-imagickInstall 8.1 PHP-IMAGICK:
sudo apt install php8.0-imagickNext, verify the installation:
php -m | grep imagickExample output:
imagickEnabling PHP-IMAGICK .SO in PHP.INI file
To enable imagick.so you will need to edit your php.ini file. A quick way is to create a .PHP file with your PHP information.
Apache
The php.ini for Apache webservers is located at /etc/php/8.0/apache2/php.ini. Replace the version build (7.4) if you are using, for example, 8.0, 7.3, 7.2.
First, use any text editor and open the php.ini as follows:
sudo nano /etc/php/8.0/apache2/php.ini Next, add the following line under the [PHP], which is located on line 2:
extension=imagickNow, save the file CTRL+O and exit after saving CTRL+X.
To finish off, restart the Apache service:
sudo systemctl restart apache2Nginx
By default, this should be automatically enabled. If missing following the instructions below.
The php.ini for Nginx webservers is located at /etc/php/8.0/fpm/php.ini. Replace the version build (7.4) if you are using, for example, 8.0, 7.3, 7.2.
First, use any text editor and open the php.ini as follows:
sudo nano /etc/php/8.0/fpm/php.ini.Next, add the following line under the [PHP], which is located on line 2:
extension=imagick
To finish off, restart PHP-FPM:
sudo systemctl restart php8.0-fpmNote, replace the 8.0 with your PHP version.
Now, save the file CTRL+O and exit after saving CTRL+X.
Create PHP Info Page to Verify Installation
The last part is to create a PHP test page to confirm your PHP information. Ideally, you want to do this in a locked-off or hidden area in your web directory if it’s accessible and public.
First, create in your web directory a test page:
sudo nano /var/www/html/phpinfo.phpNext, copy and paste the sample PHP code below.
<?php
phpinfo();
?>Save the file (CTRL+O), then exit (CTRL+X).
Type in the HTTP:// or HTTPS://or server IP or domain name in your Internet Browser.
Examples:
https://www.linuxcapable.com/phpinfo.php
http://192.168.51.55/phpinfo.phpYou should see imagick.ini on the PHP information page:
Apache Example:
Nginx Example:
Note, your php-imagick. The path will be different if you use Apache since the test server uses Nginx.
Example:
Comments and Conclusion
You have learned how to install php-imagick either using the Ubuntu default repository or the one by Ondřej Surý. Overall, out of the many options for image conversion that PHP can use, this is the most highly used and recommended choice compared to other options such as GD, especially for WordPress web servers, as it produces sharper, higher-quality compressed images.
