How to Enable mod_rewrite in Apache on Ubuntu

Apache mod_rewrite Module is used to rewrite requested URLs on the fly. This mod_rewrite module provides an easy way to manipulate URLs using an unlimited number of rules. A rewrite rule is invoked in per-server context (httpd.conf) and per-directory context (.htaccess). In order to work with URL rewrite rule, you need to enable mod_rewrite in Apache server. Rewrite URLs mainly used for providing clean, human readable, and SEO friendly URL.

In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to setup and enable mod_rewrite in Apache on Ubuntu 14.04. Follow the step-by-step guide to enable the mod_rewrite module in Apache, it will allow you to rewrite URLs on your web application.

Open the Terminal and type the following command for the respective task.

Install Apache Server

If you have not already Apache installed, install the Apache on Ubuntu first.

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install apache2

Enable mod_rewrite Module in Apache

Activate the mod_rewrite module in Apache.

sudo a2enmod rewrite

Once mod_rewrite is enabled successfully, restart the Apache.

sudo service apache2 restart

Setup .htaccess File

A .htaccess file allows us to define rewrite rules without modifying the server configuration file. Before creating a .htaccess file, we’ll need to do some settings.

At first update permissions to allow changes in the default Apache configuration file.

sudo chmod 777 /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf

Open the default Apache configuration file.

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/000-default.conf

Inside the <VirtualHost *:80> block, add the following block.

<Directory /var/www/html>
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks MultiViews
    AllowOverride All
    Order allow,deny
    allow from all
</Directory>

Save and exit the file.

Run the following command to update permissions to ensure that the user can only read this file.

sudo chmod 644 /etc/apache2/sites-available/000-default.conf

Restart the Apache server.

sudo service apache2 restart

Create the .htaccess file.

sudo nano /var/www/html/.htaccess

To activate RewriteEngine, add the following line at the top in the .htaccess file.

RewriteEngine on

Save and exit the file.

Run the following command to update permissions to ensure that the user can only read this file.

sudo chmod 644 /var/www/html/.htaccess

Now you’ll be able to define rewrite rules and working with URL rewrite.