Unknown collation: ‘utf8mb4_unicode_ci’ – Easy solution

If you meet this error, it means you are trying to import mysql table from newer server (>5.5) to older one (<5.5)
Older versions of MySQL don’t support utf8mb4 charset. That’s why import process stops.
This problems can be met during WordPress migration, as WP’s latest versions are using utf8mb4 charset.
So let’s solve the problem quickly. 

1st way: Install newer version of MySQL if you have full access to your server. (This can be done via terminal or some server manager interface)

2nd way: 

1. Open your .sql dump file in text editor(i hope it is not too big), find->replace all utf8mb4 to utf8.

2. Open wp-config.php, and change

define(‘DB_CHARSET’, ‘utf8mb4’);

to

define(‘DB_CHARSET’, ‘utf8’);

then save it.

3. Now open your mysql import screen(phpmyadmin, adminer, or some mysql manager you use) and do import with new  saved sql.

It will work without any trouble. 🙂

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