# How to install phpBB from Softaculous

> Install phpBB on your website quickly using the Softaculous app installer in cPanel.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/softaculous/how-to-install-phpbb-from-softaculous
Updated: 2026-06-09

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Softaculous makes it straightforward to install phpBB, the free open-source forum software, directly from your cPanel account.

## Finding phpBB in Softaculous

1. Log in to cPanel and open **Softaculous Apps Installer**.
2. Scroll through the application list until you find **phpBB**, or use the search box to locate it quickly.
3. Click **phpBB** to open its overview page, where you can read more about the software before installing.

![phpBB in the Softaculous list](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/85/7f/857ffed4afb177f2a975fa75a1524497490aa31f.png)

![phpBB overview page](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/cf/a9/cfa97978941cc52d71e8b572fe8197db6099583f.png)

## Installing phpBB

1. Click the **Install** tab on the phpBB overview page.

   ![Install tab](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/fc/c3/fcc302243fb150e7f05f2033ca722f178232fefd.png)

2. Under **Software Setup**, choose the domain you want to install phpBB on. If you have multiple domains on the account, select the correct one from the drop-down.
3. Enter a subdirectory in the **In Directory** field if you want phpBB at a path such as `/forum`. Leave it blank to install at the domain root.
4. Softaculous will suggest a database name automatically. You can leave this as the default.

## Configuring site settings

1. Under **Site Settings**, fill in the following fields:

   - **Site Name** - the name displayed at the top of your forum.
   - **Description** - a short summary of what your forum is about.
   - **Board Email** - the address used for outgoing forum emails.

   You can change all of these later from the phpBB administration panel.

   ![Site settings](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/f6/2c/f62c3706c2ccd2f73cdabaf952337575ed4793fc.png)

2. Under **Admin Account**, enter your chosen admin username, password, and email address.

:::tip
Choose a strong, unique password for the admin account. You can use a password manager to generate one.
:::

## Completing the installation

1. Click **Install** at the bottom of the page.
2. Softaculous will install phpBB. This usually takes only a few seconds.
3. Once complete, click the link shown on the confirmation screen to visit your new forum.

   ![Installation complete](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/ce/eb/ceebd48a52e52b1a8316bcd45fb08b7811d73a5d.png)

Your phpBB forum is now installed and ready to use.

![New phpBB forum](https://kb-cdn.kualo.com/4c/1f/4c1fcc00c874623e8c3a25a25631a7b8ef59bdc6.png)

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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/softaculous/how-to-install-phpbb-from-softaculous · © Kualo Ltd._