Piwik, now known as Matomo, is a popular open-source web analytics platform. While it offers a plethora of features for website owners to track and analyze their traffic, there might be instances where you’d want to uninstall it, perhaps to switch to another analytics tool or due to other reasons.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of uninstalling Piwik/Matomo Analytics from an Ubuntu server.
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Before making any changes to your server, it’s always a good practice to backup your data. This ensures that you can restore your system to its previous state in case something goes wrong.
Backup your Matomo database:
mysqldump -u [username] -p[password] [database_name] > matomo_backup.sql
Backup your Matomo configuration file:
cp /path/to/matomo/config/config.ini.php /path/to/backup/directory/
Step 2: Remove Matomo Files
Navigate to the directory where Matomo is installed and remove its files.
cd /path/to/matomo/
sudo rm -r *
Step 3: Drop the Matomo Database
Log in to your MySQL server and drop the Matomo database.
mysql -u [username] -p
Once logged in:
DROP DATABASE matomo_database;
Step 4: Remove Matomo User from MySQL (Optional)
If you created a specific user for Matomo in MySQL, you can remove it.
DELETE USER 'matomo_user'@'localhost';
Step 5: Remove Cron Jobs (If Any)
If you set up any cron jobs for Matomo, ensure you remove them.
crontab -e
Find the Matomo related cron jobs and delete them.
Commands Mentioned
- mysqldump – Used to backup MySQL databases
- cp – Copies files or directories
- rm – Removes files or directories
- mysql – Command to interact with MySQL server
- crontab – Edits cron jobs
FAQ
-
Why might someone want to uninstall Matomo?
There could be various reasons, including switching to a different analytics tool, concerns about server performance, or simply not needing analytics anymore.
-
Is it essential to backup data before uninstallation?
Yes, backing up data ensures that you can restore your system in case of any unforeseen issues during the uninstallation process.
-
Can I reinstall Matomo after uninstallation?
Yes, you can reinstall Matomo anytime after uninstallation. Ensure you have the necessary backups if you want to restore previous data.
-
What are the alternatives to Matomo?
There are several alternatives, including Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, and Clicky, among others.
-
Is Matomo GDPR compliant?
Yes, Matomo offers features and tools that help websites become GDPR compliant. However, website owners should ensure they use these tools correctly.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Matomo from your Ubuntu server is a straightforward process, but it’s crucial to follow each step carefully. Always remember to backup your data before making any significant changes to your server.
If you’re considering switching to another analytics tool or hosting option, there are various choices available, including dedicated servers, VPS servers, cloud hosting, and shared hosting. Whatever your decision, ensure it aligns with your website’s goals and requirements.
