Unknown collation: ‘utf8mb4_unicode_ci’ Cpanel

Sometimes when we import MySQL from other MySQL installations we have trouble importing them into another installation.  A common error is:

Unknown collation: ‘utf8mb4_unicode_ci’ Cpanel

To fix this, when you export using phpMyAdmin follow these steps;

• Click the “Export” tab for the database
• Click the “Custom” export radio button
• Go the section titled “Format-specific options” and change the dropdown for “Database system or older MySQL server to maximize output compatibility with:” from NONE to MYSQL40.
• Procede to export the database by clicking “go”.

That should do it for you.