Studio app cannot activate WordPress plugins using Freemius if using MySQL database

[codex-m]

Quick summary

The Studio app can support a MySQL database as provided by this documentation. However, it does not work with plugins that are using Freemius.

If we activate these plugins (for Studio app + MySQL database), they cannot be activated and appear stuck. It keeps loading, and nothing will happen. Of all local development app platforms (e.g., Local by Flywheel, XAMPP, Laragon, WAMP, MAMP), this issue seems to occur only with Studio App.

Steps to reproduce

1.) Start studio app (either Windows or Mac).
2.) Create a test site using MySQL database (not SQL Lite). This is the documented procedure.
3.) Once the WordPress site is up and running with MySQL database - log in as administrator.
4.) Install and activate any WordPress plugins using Freemius. You can find the complete list here

What you expected to happen

I expected that these plugins would activate normally—without errors, hangs, or freezes—just like when activated on other platforms.

What actually happened

The plugin will never be activated, so any of these plugins will be unusable with Studio App + MySQL.

Impact

Some (< 50%)

Available workarounds?

No and the app is unusable

Platform

Windows, Mac Intel

Logs or notes

Even if we enable WordPress debugging, no debug.log is generated explaining why this is happening. We tried restarting the app or the MySQL server. It didn't help either. Take note that this only affects WordPress plugins using Freemius (if the Studio app is used with MySQL). Other WordPress (non-Freemius-based) plugins appear to be activated.

We tried changing the PHP version and are using the latest Studio app. The issue remains.

[merkushin]

Hi @codex-m 👋

I think I'm missing something here.

I followed your instruction, but stumbled upon the step 4.
If I install a plugin from the list you referred to, everything works fine.
But I suppose "Install and activate ... using Freemius" means I need to use something in-between? Like a plugin to install other plugins?

[codex-m]

Hello, thanks for looking into this. I could reproduce this with any Freemius plugin. But you can install TablePress or Prime Mover, which are the ones I've used in my local setup.

I never see these plugins activated with the MySQL database used with Studio App. Do you think you're using MySQL with your Studio App? I've tested this with Windows and Mac OSX, and it never works.

You'll need to install and activate the plugin mentioned because it already includes the Freemius library; you don't need to install other plugins. I use MacOSX (or Windows) with the Studio App on a virtual machine (using VirtualBox). The MySQL version I've used is MySQL 8.0.

[merkushin]

Thanks @codex-m!

I could reproduce it with both TablePress and Prime Mover.

When I click Activate, I see something is loading, then it finished and nothing changes. The plugin remains deactivated.

Even though debugging and showing errors was turned on, nothing appeared on the screen or in log files.

@Automattic/yolo could you investigate it further?