How to Solve “You must enable the intl extension to use CakePHP”

Introduction

When you first install CakePHP3, I guess “enable the intl extension” is the first hurdle.
It’s been a while since I first dealt with this problem, but I remember it was complicated a little.

Today, I’m going to introduce some solutions worked for me.

The Terminal command might intimidate you, but don’t worry!
I’m going to share every step I took.

Environment

macOS High Sierra
XAMPP 7.0.26
CakePHP3

Let’s get started!

Step1: Open Terminal and Check if Homebrew is installed

If it returns:
/usr/local/bin/brew → Step3
not found → Step2

Step2: Install Homebrew

Access to https://brew.sh/, then copy and Paste a install command.

Step3: Check PHP path

If it returns:
/usr/bin/php → Step4
/Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/bin/php → Step5

Step4: Change Path

Step5: Install icu4c

Step6: Install intl

If you get “Cannot find autoconf” message:

Succeed → Step7
Failed → Skip Step7

Step7: Activate intl & Restart XAMPP

Open /Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/etc/php.ini , and find extension=intl.so

Then, restart XAMPP.

Another way to install Intl

The above steps may not work for you. In this step, I’ll introduce you a different way.

1. Open a new window in Terminal.

2. Search available intl version.

You’ll get the result like this:

3. Install Intl according to your PHP version.

4. Activate intl & Restart XAMPP

Open /Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/etc/php.ini , and find extension=intl.so

Then, restart XAMPP.

References

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/27886117/php-intl-installation-on-xampp
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/36408338/compiling-php-intl-extension-on-mac-book-pro-el-capitan-10-11-4