Before you install MariaDB 10.3 install the default mariadb version from stretch. The reason is the different configuration files mariadb comes with. Those I have not tested. Also read https://www.howtoforge.com/community/threads/debian-stretch-pureftp-newer-mariadb-fixes.79514/ for some issues you may encounter after installing. Code: apt-get install mariadb-server mariadb-client You also might need additional software to support fetching apt signing keys from a server Code: apt-get install dirmngr --install-recommends choose your preferred way to setup https://mariadb.com/downloads/mariadb-tx or https://mariadb.com/kb/en/library/mariadb-package-repository-setup-and-usage/ so I just did Code: curl -sS https://downloads.mariadb.com/MariaDB/mariadb_repo_setup | sudo bash apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade mysql_upgrade service mysql restart oh and yes, mysql_secure_installation is recommended but that and the sql_mode thingy is covered in the perfect server howto
