---
layout: article
title: Databases
description: Configure the database backend for your self-hosted Appwrite instance. Learn about the supported database options and their configuration.
---

Appwrite supports MongoDB and MariaDB as database backends. The database is selected during [installation](/docs/advanced/self-hosting/installation) via the setup wizard and **cannot be changed after installation**.

Regardless of which database you choose, the Appwrite API remains the same. Only the underlying storage engine differs.

{% info title="Default database" %}
MongoDB is the default database as of Appwrite 1.9.0.
{% /info %}

# CLI installation {% #cli-installation %}

If you prefer to skip the setup wizard, you can set the database directly using the `--database` flag:

{% tabs %}
{% tabsitem #unix title="macOS and Linux" %}
```bash
docker run -it --rm \
    --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
    --volume "$(pwd)"/appwrite:/usr/src/code/appwrite:rw \
    --entrypoint="install" \
    appwrite/appwrite:1.9.0 \
    --database=mongodb
```
{% /tabsitem %}

{% tabsitem #cmd title="Windows (CMD)" %}
```cmd
docker run -it --rm ^
    --volume //var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock ^
    --volume "%cd%"/appwrite:/usr/src/code/appwrite:rw ^
    --entrypoint="install" ^
    appwrite/appwrite:1.9.0 ^
    --database=mongodb
```
{% /tabsitem %}

{% tabsitem #powershell title="Windows (PowerShell)" %}
```powershell
docker run -it --rm `
    --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock `
    --volume ${pwd}/appwrite:/usr/src/code/appwrite:rw `
    --entrypoint="install" `
    appwrite/appwrite:1.9.0 `
    --database=mongodb
```
{% /tabsitem %}
{% /tabs %}

Accepted values are `mongodb` and `mariadb`.

# Supported databases {% #supported-databases %}

## MongoDB {% #mongodb %}

MongoDB is a document-based database and the default option for new Appwrite installations. It is configured as a replica set (`rs0`) automatically during installation.

- **Docker image:** `mongo:8.2.5`
- **Container name:** `appwrite-mongodb`
- **Default port:** `27017`

## MariaDB {% #mariadb %}

MariaDB is a relational SQL database. It was the default database in Appwrite versions prior to 1.9.0.

- **Docker image:** `mariadb:10.11`
- **Container name:** `appwrite-mariadb`
- **Default port:** `3306`

# Environment variables {% #environment-variables %}

Both database backends use the same environment variables. The values differ depending on which database was selected during installation.

| Variable | Description | MongoDB default | MariaDB default |
|---|---|---|---|
| `_APP_DB_ADAPTER` | Database adapter type | `mongodb` | `mariadb` |
| `_APP_DB_HOST` | Database server hostname | `mongodb` | `mariadb` |
| `_APP_DB_PORT` | Database server port | `27017` | `3306` |
| `_APP_DB_SCHEMA` | Database name | `appwrite` | `appwrite` |
| `_APP_DB_USER` | Database user | `user` | `user` |
| `_APP_DB_PASS` | Database user password | `password` | `password` |
| `_APP_DB_ROOT_PASS` | Database root password | `rootsecretpassword` | `rootsecretpassword` |

The Docker Compose profile controls which database container runs. This is set automatically by the installer:

- `COMPOSE_PROFILES=mongodb` for MongoDB installations
- `COMPOSE_PROFILES=mariadb` for MariaDB installations

{% info title="Change default passwords" %}
Always change the default database passwords before deploying to production. Update both the environment variables and the database credentials.
{% /info %}

# Backups {% #backups %}

For database backup procedures, see the [Backups](/docs/advanced/self-hosting/production/backups) guide, which covers both MongoDB and MariaDB backup and restore commands.