A client asked me if I can help their WordPress developer configure a development Linux box. They created a separate partition and wanted to change their MariaDB Data Directory Location on their CentOS server.
After taking a walk in New York City by the Madison Square Park I decided to put this tutorial together. There are some simple steps:
- Moving MariaDB Data Directory
- Pointing to the New Data Location
- Restart MariaDB
Moving MariaDB Data Directory
We need to verify the the current MariaDB data location first. Login using the below command. Enter your password when prompted:
mysql -u root -p
Then, once logged in run the following:
select @@datadir;
You should see the current location:

Type exit.
Next, stop MariaDB:
sudo systemctl stop mariadb
Confirm it really stopped:
sudo systemctl status mariadb
Read the output and make sure it says:
Stopped MariaDB database server.
Point to the New Data Location
Now, we need to tell MariaDB where the new location will live. Edit /etc/my.cnf by running:
sudo vim /etc/my.cnf
Find the line that begins with ‘datadir=’ and make the changes to the new location. Also, change the ‘socket=’ if necessary.
Remember, you can also define a custom .cnf in side the /etc/my.cnf.d/
Write your above changes and now let go start MariaDB and see.
Finally, start MariaDB by running this command:
sudo systemctl start mariadb
Verify its running:
sudo systemctl status mariadb
Also, repeat the first command above:
mysql -u root -p
select @@datadir;
In order to verify the changes. Type exit or \q.
Cheers! Remember to see my T-shirt and coffee mugs shop. I designed some inspirational ones. Let me know what you think.
Hope you enjoy this Change MariaDB Data Directory brief tutorial.