Install MariaDB 12 from official repo on Debian (with caching)

14 March 2026

Add apt cache proxy (optional)

echo 'Acquire::http::Proxy "http://apt-proxy.example.com:3142/";' | tee /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/00aptproxy
apt-get update

Install prerequisites

apt-get install -y curl gpg sudo

Download keys

I wasn't happy with the use of the now-deprecated apt-key, so I dug through the file, found the GPG URLs, and gave the proper way a shot.

curl -fsSL https://supplychain.mariadb.com/MariaDB-Server-GPG-KEY | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/mariadb-server.gpg

Add source file and update apt

Add sources to /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mariadb.source by running to following directly on the command line:

Debian 12 (Bookworm)

## Add MariaDB apt source
cat << EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mariadb.sources &> /dev/null
# MariaDB 12 repository list - created 2026-03-14 16:55 UTC
# https://mariadb.org/download/
X-Repolib-Name: MariaDB
Types: deb
URIs: http://deb.mariadb.org/12.rolling/debian
Suites: bookworm
Components: main
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/mariadb-server.gpg
EOF

## Update apt
apt-get update

Debian 13 (Trixie)

## Add MariaDB apt source
cat << EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mariadb.sources &> /dev/null
# MariaDB 12 repository list - created 2026-03-14 16:55 UTC
# https://mariadb.org/download/
X-Repolib-Name: MariaDB
Types: deb
URIs: http://deb.mariadb.org/12.rolling/debian
Suites: trixie
Components: main
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/mariadb-server.gpg
EOF

## Update apt
apt-get update

Install packages

Now we can install MariaDB server:

apt-get install mariadb-server mariadb-client mariadb-backup

Finish installation

We'll secure our installation by running the following command and completing the prompts:

mysql_secure_installation

Start enjoying your new MariaDB server.

Bibliography

MariaDB Foundation