apache2 - How do I purge PHP 7, install PHP 5.6, and still get phpMyAdmin? - Ask Ubuntu

i have local testing machine, fresh install of ubuntu mate 16.10. default php installation php 7. however, need run php 5.6 in order keep inline servers develop for.

i tried remove php 7 , install php 5.6 using instructions in this answer, this answer.

it seemed have both php 7 , 5.6 installed side side, switch apache use php 5.6, after attempting have set up, there problems. may wrong, appeared apache still connecting php 7 modules, or @ least php 5.6 installation not successful. whatever happening, sites breaking.

so, thought might try purge php 7, but, took away modules wanted keep, such phpmyadmin. if try install phpmyadmin via apt-get, php 7 modules installed.

i'm afraid tinkering has left system in bit of mess, i'd clean things , start fresh. end, i'd purge php 7, install php 5.6, , install phpmyadmin.

or, @ least, need have system works servers develop for, php 5.6 installed (in other words, purging php 7 not goal, making php 7 not interfere in way php 5.6 is). how can happen?

update:

after following advice in comments, have functioning php 5.6 environment allows sites run on local testing machine same way on servers.

phpmyadmin seems installed, mean have intalled via apt-get on command line , installation went without errors. not working. when load phpmyadmin, blank screen.

various sites i've been suggest solution should run sudo apt-get install --reinstall phpmyadmin, sudo apt install php-gettext, or sudo dpkg-reconfigure phpmyadmin, none of these helped. right now, don't know if phpmyadmin broken because of conflict between php 7 , php 5.6, or if there other issue.

you may need disable proxy_fcgi apache module:

sudo a2dismod proxy_fcgi proxy; sudo service apache2 restart 

1. 1. re-install php 5.6

actually not required remove php7.0, can install php5.6 ( because have dependency problem phpmyadmin package required php7.0)

assuming libapache2-mod-php suitable way enable php in apache you, can proceed in way:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php  sudo apt-get update  sudo apt-get install php7.0 php5.6 php5.6-mysql php-gettext php5.6-mbstring php-xdebug libapache2-mod-php5.6 libapache2-mod-php7.0