How to redirect HTTP to HTTPS using Apache

HTTPS provides encrypted traffic with the use of SSL or TLS. As websites are moving away from HTTP to HTTPS, it's good to automatically redirect the HTTP traffic (normally on port 80) to HTTPS (normally on port 443). It's a foolproof way to secure the connection of those who mistakenly access your HTTP website.

You can automatically redirect HTTP requests to HTTPS in Apache using either a .htaccess file, RewriteRule directive, or Redirect directive.

1. Enable rewrite module for Apache.

   $ sudo a2enmod rewrite # Ubuntu, Debian and SUSE variants
   Enabling module rewrite.
   To activate the new configuration, you need to run:
     systemctl restart apache2

   • Distribution with a2enmod support can simply run the command above without having to manually enable the required modules.
   • CentOS and Red Hat enables the module by default so requires no manual action to enable the modules.

   Related: How to enable or disable Apache modules

   Options	Debian, Ubuntu	openSUSE and SLES	Fedora Core, CentOS, RHEL	macOS	homebrew	xampp
   a2enmod support	yes	yes	no	no	no	no
   Modules to install	none
   Module name	n/a			rewrite
   Loadmodule directive	n/a			LoadModule rewrite_module <module_locations>/mod_rewrite.so

2. Open or create a .htaccess file on the web folder where you want to set the redirection from using your preferred text editor.

   $ sudo vi /var/www/html/.htaccess

3. Add redirect directive from within the .htaccess file.

   RewriteEngine On
   RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
   RewriteRule (.*) https://www.simplified.guide/$1 [R,L] 

4. Hard-reload the web page to test the redirect.

1. Enable rewrite module for Apache.

   $ sudo a2enmod rewrite # Ubuntu, Debian and SUSE variants
   Enabling module rewrite.
   To activate the new configuration, you need to run:
     systemctl restart apache2

   • Distribution with a2enmod support can simply run the command above without having to manually enable the required modules.
   • CentOS and Red Hat enables the module by default so requires no manual action to enable the modules.

   Related: How to enable or disable Apache modules

   Options	Debian, Ubuntu	openSUSE and SLES	Fedora Core, CentOS, RHEL	macOS	homebrew	xampp
   a2enmod support	yes	yes	no	no	no	no
   Modules to install	none
   Module name	n/a			rewrite
   Loadmodule directive	n/a			LoadModule rewrite_module <module_locations>/mod_rewrite.so

2. Open VirtualHost config that you want to set up the redirection from using your favorite text editor.

   $ sudo vi /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/000-default.conf

   Related: Location for Apache VirtualHost configuration

3. Add RewriteRule and related directive in the VirtualHost configuration just as the htaccess method.

   <VirtualHost *:80>
       RewriteEngine On
       RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
       RewriteRule (.*) https://www.simplified.guide/$1 [R,L] 
   </VirtualHost>

4. Restart Apache for the changes to take effect.

   Related: How to manage Apache service

1. Open VirtualHost config for HTTP that you want to set up the redirection from using your favorite text editor.

   $ sudo vi /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/000-default.conf

   Related: Location for Apache VirtualHost configuration

2. Add redirect directive within the VirtualHost configuration to redirect to the HTTPS URL.

   <VirtualHost *:80>
       ServerName simplified.guide
       Redirect permanent / https://www.simplified.guide/
   </VirtualHost>

   permanent is equivalent to 301 redirect and you can use temporary instead for 302 redirect.

3. Restart Apache for the changes to take effect.

   Related: How to manage Apache service