---
url: /technical/accessing-mysql-directly.md
description: >-
  The MySQL instance which comes with each MODLR instance can be accessed
  directly using 3rd Party software.
---

# Accessing MySQL Directly

The MySQL instance which comes with each MODLR instance can be accessed directly using 3rd Party software. To do this it is necessary to create a new database user account on the MODLR Instance

1. Click on your account name (in the top right corner of the screen).
2. Click **Manage Account**
3. Make sure the active MODLR Instance is the instance with the intended database.
4. Navigate to the **Settings** Tab
5. Under **Add Datastore User** give the new account a name and click **Add Account**.

You should now be able to use the account username and password provided along with the MODLR Instance IP address (accessible on the **Application Servers** tab) to connect to the Database.

## Connecting from MySQL Workbench

With the account created, set the connection up in MySQL Workbench:

1. Click the **+** icon next to **MySQL Connections**.
2. Give the connection a name - this is local to you, so make it identifiable.
3. Set **Hostname** to your instance address, which takes the form `your-instance.modlr.cloud`, and leave **Port** as `3306`.
4. Enter the username and password of the datastore account you created.

![The MySQL Workbench Setup New Connection dialog, annotated to show the hostname, port and username fields](/technical/accessing-mysql-directly-1.png)

**Test Connection** checks it before you save. A connection that hangs or times out here usually means port 3306 hasn't been opened for the instance yet.

## Opening the port

As part of MODLR's compliance requirements, port 3306 is blocked by firewall by default, so direct connections won't succeed until it's opened. [Submit a request to the MODLR Team](https://support.modlr.co/request?subject=Open%20MySQL%20port%203306\&type=question\&description=Please%20open%20port%203306%20for%20direct%20MySQL%20access%20on%20my%20instance.%0A%0AInstance%20name%3A%20) to have port 3306 opened for your instance.