The faster, easy and secure
NOTE: there is a new install page simplified that you should follow
https://www.axew3.com/w3/wordpress-phpbb-integration-install/
the following content in this page will be soon removed. Follow this instead:
THIS IS OBSOLETE HELP INSTALL PAGE
follow this instead:
WP w3all WordPress phpBB plugin install help page
NOTE that since 2.4.6> IT IS REQUIRED Php version 7 or better
The WordPress to phpBB way
WordPress phpBB 2.4.0 > integration by email
NOTE that since plugin version 2.4.5 > there is the phpBB integration extension available into the folder
/wp-w3all-phpbb-integration/addons/phpBB_EXT
It contain a file config.php that explain himself how to use it:
/wp-w3all-phpbb-integration/addons/phpBB_EXT/w3all/phpbbwordpressintegration/custom/config.php
See step by step explained here:
phpBB WordPress common tasks integration extension
OBSOLETE install help
FOLLOW this instead:
OBSOLETE install help
So may consider all the follow explain valid, until you do not unchain the integration installing both the integration plugin into WordPress, and the phpBB WordPress common extension. Because some limit described here below installing the extension into phpBB is then surpassed. It will be possible to leave users update their email or register or change password into both cms.
Note* (consider the above, and the fact that may this following hint is obsolete since 2.5.0> even without installing the phpBB extension (which is recommended by the way for several reasons)) -> … this install help is for the integration WordPress to phpBB that mean users need to be allowed to (maybe Register, but maybe not, it depend by the fact that you’ll go to have or not mismatching usernames/emails pairs) update email ONLY into WordPress. If you wish to integrate and let users to Register and update Email only in phpBB, or you’ll go to have mismatching usernames/emails pairs then you have to read/follow this before to go on:
REMOVED: FOLLOW THIS INSTALL
READ ALL THE FOLLOW:
WP w3all phpBB, the WordPress phpBB integration plugin, provides users cookie based login/registration integration between WordPress CMS and phpBB Forum installations on the same domain or subdomain.
Since 2.4.0 the integration works by email
not by username.
NOTE THAT YOU HAVE to setup phpBB to correctly run integrated with WordPress. Follow read phpBB side and WordPress side explain more below
Except for some specific case (for example if an user try to register in WordPress and his username is found in phpBB, even if the username do not exist in WordPress, the registration will be refused), the integration run by email, and you could skip directly to either the Common How To section or to the Install and Configure WP_w3all plugin section, both below on this install help page, but it is strongly recommended that you read ALL the information, and the After Install Help section at the bottom of this page, in order to get idea on several ways you can choose to integrate phpBB and WordPress and how generally it work.
WP_w3all enables seamless user interaction between WordPress and phpBB as a single cohesive unit, despite the WP and phpBB CMS files and databases being completely separated. WP_w3all is secure and runs efficiently. It only adds a few rows into the WordPress Options database table, and nothing at all into the phpBB forum databases. Therefore, you can remove WP_W3all at any time, and it will be completely cleaned up. User’s experience will be like one, but you’ll follow to think at them, as separated cms. It will be an easy do, maintaining WP and phpBB like one, while they are in effect, completely separated.
What you MUST know:
read ALL the following instructions carefully before proceeding activating the plugin
WP_w3all is tested using latest WordPress and phpBB default releases. The Minimum phpBB version required is 3.2 or better. Remember: this is a WP plugin. It does not add anything into phpBB other than the user account when an user registers via the WP side, when/if you allow users to register in WP. The same goes for WordPress (except the addition of a few rows into WP Options database table, that are completely removed when you uninstall the plugin).
Since this is a WP plugin, IF YOU DO NOT install the phpBB integration extension in phpBB
it is IMPORTANT to understand that actions/updates done into WordPress, are executed at same time also in phpBB, while when done in phpBB, executed only when the same user login in WordPress, or as logged into phpBB, will come to visit the WordPress side. So if an user update his email and pass in wp, the same happen into phpBB at same time. While if the user do the same in phpBB, his WP profile data will be updated only when the same user will visit the wp side (OR you need to install the phpBB extension in phpBB). The same goes for registrations. A registered user in WP is added at same time in phpBB. If registration done in phpBB, then the user will be added in WordPress when will login in wp side, or when will visit wp side as logged into phpBB. This is a WP plugin, the code run only into WordPress (OR you need to install the phpBB extension in phpBB).
WP MU-MS (Network installations) read !important note about how to activate this feature and how WP_w3all need to be configured on each subsite: WP_w3all for WordPress MS MU (Network installations)
If you wish to install the plugin to display phpBB content into WordPress using Widgets or Shortcodes, without linking users between WordPress and phpBB also cross domain, then following steps here are not required (but see the Common How to more below) and you need to follow this instead:
WordPress phpBB integration without linking users
The phpBB install admin (uid 2) and WP install admin (uid 1), are NOT linked anymore since 2.4.0. Be sure that these users have unique email not shared with some other user into the other or same CMS. If installing with any other user than the WP UID1 default WP install admin, BE SURE that an user with same username and email address exist also in phpBB. Or almost an user with same email address. So, if user myuser with email myusermyemail@me.you is the admin installing the plugin in WP (and it isn’t the default WP uid 1 install admin) then an user myuser with email myusermyemail@me.you need to exists also into phpBB. Or almost an user with same email, but with mismatching username. The integration works by email since 2.4.0. Remember to follow rules when integrating with mismatching pairs usernames/emails. It is may MANDATORY that users can change email and Register ONLY into WordPress if you do not install the phpBB integration extension.
If there are existent old WordPress users when integration start, they need to be transferred into phpBB using the WP_w3all users transfer option. Old phpBB users are added into WordPress automatically, when as logged in they visits WP first time, or when they login WP first time (also if there is available the phpBB to WP users transfer option, that isn’t a mandatory step to be executed when integration start. But note that as administrator, it is anyway better to transfer all old phpBB users in wordpress, checking that there are not duplicated emails shared between users. Old phpBB users, need to use their password to login. Old transferred WP users can login using their WP password in WP, while may have to reset their password to correctly login using the phpBB login side (the pass hash is not recognized in phpBB). Read more about existent old WP users transferred and their password behavior when integration start into the After Install Questions Help more below.
It is required to setup phpBB forum permissions options to NOT ALLOW users to change their usernames on their profile or re-use email for different accounts because these are possible features in phpBB but not in WordPress. You also have to choose where users can update their email and (maybe, maybe not) where they can register: it is not possible anymore on both WordPress and phpBB. You have to choose (and may switch to one way or the other any time): user’s email update (and maybe also registration, it depend) and registration in WordPress (suggested preferable way) OR phpBB.
For the phpBB to WordPress way to integrate, follow the link on top of the page.
It is also time to inform all lovely and cool people about how bad is my English … i’m sorry!
To Install and Configure
FOLLOW THESE 2 STEPS (WP & phpBB side)
phpBB side
change username and email permissions
If haven’t been set already, you need to configure phpBB permissions for ALL users to NOT ALLOW changes to their usernames, and DO NOT ALLOW email address re-use. Check that this is it for all of your phpBB users (unique email/username pairs, may use the Transfer and Check plugin’s options if you are not sure that this is it, it will check in one click). It is also possible to have mismatching email/usernames pairs: remember that in this case, you need to be sure that users are allowed to update email, register and login ONLY in one CMS, never both!
So on ACP under
BOARD CONFIGURATION -> User registration settings
Allow username changes: set to NO
Allow email address re-use: set to NO
Save settings.
limit username chars
like above,
on ACP under
BOARD CONFIGURATION -> User registration settings -> Limit username chars:
DO NOT choose the Any character, or ASCII option. Instead choose from the others available: Any letter, Number and Spacers, or Alphanumeric options. So letting users to register in phpBB, you’ll be sure they are added in WordPress with the same username (but usernames can mismatch if necessary, because the integration work by email)
Save settings.
Then into phpBB ACP under option Security settings:
Option: Allow “Remember Me” logins
set to: YES
“Remember Me” login key expiration length (in days):
set to (maybe) 365
Save settings.
phpBB cookie SETTING
Set the phpBB cookies to be available across the entire domain:
Go under ‘phpBB ACP admin -> Server Configuration -> Cookie Settings’
Set the Cookie domain value as (for example):
.yourdomain.com
NOTE: if localhost, may leave the value as is, localhost. If on subdomain, like mysub.mysite.com, set it as above using only domain name so .mysite.com
(older browsers still implementing the deprecated » RFC 2109 may require a leading . (dot) to match all subdomains, so .mysite.com)
change also the cookie name, so old cookies on browsers will not be used anymore:
Cookie name: example if phpbb3_tembj (change into phpbb_temb)
Cookie path set as single fraction slash: /
If changed, save settings, logout, and log back into phpBB.
Be sure that the cookie setting is correct before to execute these steps.
NOTE: if your installations are on subdomains (ex: myforum.mysite.com), and you choose to not use/include the custom phpBB config.php file (so you go to activate the plugin by setting the path to point/include the root phpBB config.php file) you may read this help post about correct file inclusions on subdomains:
disable open_basedir in your php.ini
If installations are on subdomains it is better you choose to include a custom phpBB. See WP admin -> wp_w3all config page about Path setting or follow the help link to setup the custom phpBB config.php file.
As said above, you may will check if there are phpBB users sharing same email address, by using related WP_w3all check option, after activated it on plugin admin. Resolve shared emails if there are, before to start transferring old WP users into phpBB, when integration start. You need to have unique username/email pairs on both CMS.
Based on if you are integrating using the WordPress to phpBB way or the phpBB to WordPress way, you’ll have to choose to disable registration in phpBB or WordPress and choose where user’s can update their email. In the ‘WordPress to phpBB way’ you’ll have to DISABLE user’s registration in phpBB and email update.
To NOT allow phpBB users to change/update their email into phpBB profile, as WordPress to phpBB mode/way require, just do this:
phpBB ACP -> TAB System -> User Control Panel -> click into Profile -> Edit account settings, then click into Disable to disable the user’s account settings module. The Edit account settings module tab, where it is possible to update user’s email and password on phpBB ucp profile frontend, will not be accessible by users (while all the rest of phpBB profile options will be still available).
WordPress side
NOTE that since 2.4.6> IT IS REQUIRED Php version 7 or better
Install WP w3all WordPress phpBB integration plugin, so on WP admin open -> Settings -> WP w3all
And setup required database connection values
URL SETTING
If phpBB is installed at https://www.axew3.com/w3/phpbb
the URL setting will be: https://www.axew3.com/w3/phpbb
NOTE: If your WordPress is served under https, then force also phpBB to be https, and vice versa, or http, if WP is http. See this post in case it is needed an help on how to resolve this https/http
Use the wp_w3all transfer and check options, and add all old existent WordPress users into phpBB. This is a mandatory step
You should consider to do the same transferring all old existent phpBB users into WordPress, checking for problems between users and considering that the integration works by email now.
Activate, configure and save Login and Topics Last Posts Widgets if needed
Done
If it is all working, you have now a site that you’ll like to use. phpBB and WP together as one: remember to help on maintain the plugin’s health. Report bugs on forums and donate!
To embed phpBB into a WordPress page with iframe height responsive, follow read. Iframe or NOT
read also all the After Install Questions Help and the Common How To section more below on this same page
Template embed phpbb into WordPress
If you wish to follow adding the phpBB responsive embedded iframe into a WordPress page:
open Settings WP_w3all, under WP_w3all -> phpBB embedded on WordPress Template option
READ with care all inline hints and instructions, and avoid know problem: WP page named like the phpBB install folder and that reside into same WP root. After created the template forum page, this is mandatory step even if you add manually the template page into the WP template folder
Common How To:
How to: no panic instructions
How to secure your phpBB WordPress integration
How to 1001 ways to integrate phpBB and WordPress
How to WordPress Multisite: WP_w3all for WordPress MS MU (Network installations)
How to SHORTcode – phpBB PM notification in WordPress
How to SHORTcode – to parse/display phpBB posts into WordPress
How to SHORTcode – last phpBB topics/posts into WordPress
How to SHORTcode – last phpBB topics/posts into WordPress by Forums IDS
How to SHORTcode – last topics grid in WordPress with topic’s attachment (img or file)
How to SHORTcode – phpBB RSS last posts and/or any other FEED into WordPress
How to SHORTcode – w3all custom iframe
How to style widgets and shortcode output if they need to be adjusted to look like my theme
How to force users addition in WordPress when they register OR login only in phpBB side
How to set cookie in phpBB to be available on domain and subdomains
How to WordPress phpBB integration without linking users
How to WordPress and Buddypress phpBB full profile fields integration
How to WordPress and phpBB mChat integration
What about phpBB usernames that contains characters not allowed in WordPress?
For several more answers check Sticky Posts on phpBB WordPress forum (and possible add or improve one) and on WP_w3all – phpBB and WordPress – common help forum
After Install Questions Help
BEWARE that since 2.4.0 the WP uid1 and phpBB uid2 (cms install admins) are not linked anymore. Be sure that their email are not shared between any other user into the related and integrated CMS!
WHAT ABOUT phpBB BANNED USERS?
Banned users in phpBB can’t login or register in WordPress.
The banned phpBB user (by username, IP or email) will result effectively banned also in WordPress.
UPDATING PHPBB to a more recent version: may it’s required that you disable registrations and the WP_w3all plugin in WordPress.
Correct procedure:
disable wp_w3all plugin on WP admin, and disable registration in WordPress, remove the phpBB overall_header.html javascript code if on iframe mode and it has been applied, or comment out the js line that cause/force the page reload/redirect, set recompile stale templates to yes (or may disable javascript on browser, that’s the more fast way).
Re-enable options after phpBB has been updated. Reset recompile template to no, if in the while switched for the update time to yes.
THE VERY FIRST TIME after wp_w3all has been activated, if an user with same username is not already logged into phpBB, the user will be logged out and will have to re-login (excluded ID1 in WP)
NOTE: you may have to clean cookies on your browser if you experience problems on login. Use the default WP login page to login and test all is working ok if experiencing any problem on login WP side.
It is required that the default profile fields in phpBB exists (or on update WP profile fields, changes not affect in phpBB, except for Email address and Password): read this post if you added custom profile fields for users in phpBB, or you removed some default phpBB profile field, and you may want also the user URL updated, that is the unique notable and available/considered field into a WordPress default install. For Buddypress profile fields (advanced) follow the same link above.
Important note about Profile and profile fields: any profile fields (URL, EMAIL and PASSWORD) modification/update, if done in WordPress by admin or user, is done at same time also on phpBB. Instead, any profile modification about url, email and password done on phpBB side by admin or user, is updated on WordPress when the same edited username will visit WordPress side. In this way, user experience do not change, admin experience instead can be confused, if you are not noticed about this behavior (that is maybe obvious, because this is just a WordPress plugin, that so run only on WP side). It is strongly recommended that you install the phpBB WordPress extension instead, so to avoid this kind of problems. Read on top of this help page.
NOTE: if you want to force user addition also into WordPress when user register OR login in phpBB check this:
Add user at same time into WordPress when register/login in phpBB side
So, if the above trick isn’t applied, and you let register users in phpBB side, an admin could see that in WP admin Users Lists, still not exist an user, that instead exist in phpBB. This simply mean that the user registered into phpBB, but this user still have not visit the WP side, so has not still been added into WP. If updates or registrations are done in phpBB side, the update or addition of the user, will be done in WP when the same user, as logged in, will visit WP side (or when will login on WP side): remember that this is a WP plugin! It is possible to use these features for different scenarios, adapting any aspect with easy. If default phpBB profiles fields have been modified, then may only email and password will be updated, when user updates done in WordPress. The “at same time user addition in WordPress when/if user register in phpBB”, happen without tricks when on iframe mode, due to Javascript code logic.
If you DELETED or ADDED custom user’s profile fields into phpBB, read this: WordPress and Buddypress phpBB full profile fields integration
As said more above, it is required that default profile fields in phpBB exists (or on update profile fields, changes not affect, except for email address field and password). Remember: profile changes, updates at same time if update is done on WP side, when user will visit WP side, if profile update is done in phpBB side.
A deleted user in WordPress, will be deactivated (not deleted) in phpBB at same time.
How to DELETE USERS on both CMS: wp_w3all do not add a delete option for users, but you can remove users on both phpBB and WP with easy in this way: delete users in WordPress, so wp_w3all will set as deactivated in phpBB all these deleted WP users accounts: go in phpBB ACP, choose -> Users and Groups TAB: prune/delete (in one click) all phpBB deactivated users accounts (use with care powerful phpBB options about this!) at once.
More about DELETION of users: you could use this behavior as an antispam method: a deleted user in WP with WP_w3all plugin active, is deactivated into phpBB, until admin do not change his state. And until the user isn’t removed or reactivated in phpBB, the associated username/email, will not more be able to login/register in WP.
About users permissions, and how they are added on WP. On phpBB, users groups legend say: “Pre-defined groups are special groups, they cannot be deleted or directly modified. However you can still add users and alter basic settings”. Based on this, the WP w3all plugin will add users on WordPress, following this rules:
- Administrators on phpBB = Administrators on WP
- Global moderators on phpBB = Editors on WP
- All others phpBB groups = Subscribers on WP
- NOT active users in phpBB = not added in WordPress
If there are existent users on WP when you start the integration, it is mandatory to transfer WP users into phpBB with the transfer process (old existent phpBB users are added on fly when they login in WP side or when they visits as logged in phpBB the WP side).
PASSWORDS NOTE: an OLD EXISTENT WP transferred user, is transferred in phpBB with his WP password. If the old WP password contain special chars inside, then maybe this user (may not) will have to reset his password in order to be able to login using the login in phpBB (or need to reset the pass one time on WP or phpBB, than the pass will be updated and recognized by both WP and phpBB login). Once the integration is running, passwords for users in WordPress are stored using the phpBB hash. Once the plugin will be uninstalled, WordPress will not be able to recognize these passwords, so WordPress users will need to reset the password to correctly login in WordPress.
WP MU-MS (Network installations) please read carefully this:
WP_w3all for WordPress MS MU (Multisite, Multiuser network installations)
About permalinks: if you are using plain permalinks into your WP, for the specific forum page, you’ll set manually the Permalink when you create or edit the page for the embedded forum. The WP page Permalink that will contain the forum iframe, need to contain the name of the page you chosen into wp_w3all config page as forum template page name.
There are some useful Sticky Posts on WordPress phpBB forum you may can check (or contribute to) for furthers common helps.
How i can DISABLE THIS PLUGIN to test, or disable it to remove safely without problems? Normally you’ll remove/disable this plugin completely as any other plugin! You can also remove the path setting on WP_w3all config page or set it wrong for testing purpose: when red info about path setting display, the plugin not affect in any way WordPress. If any HELP i’m in trouble! No panic. If using manual config path to custom config.php file folder, it is also possible to open the config.php file and reset the line
|
1 |
@define('PHPBB_INSTALLED', true); |
to
|
1 |
// @define('PHPBB_INSTALLED', true); |
If you’re using the default root phpBB config.php file included, you can do the same into the phpBB config.php file (but in the while the board will result as not installed!), SO better way,
open wp_w3all.php file, more or less on top of the file you’ll find this code:
|
1 2 |
// Force Deactivation WP_w3all plugin // to clean uninstall if something goes wrong // $w3deactivate_wp_w3all_plugin = 'true'; |
remove // chars in front of second line:
|
1 |
$w3deactivate_wp_w3all_plugin = 'true'; |
In this state, the plugin is disabled and not affect in any way WordPress.
This essential wp_w3all working online installation example at axew3.com, is updated and run with: latest available WordPress and phpBB releases.
Run fine tested on WordPress 5.0 or > AND phpBB 3.2 or >
Said that, here we go!