mysql - #1273 - Unknown collation: 'utf8mb4_unicode_ci' cPanel

Question

I have a WordPress database on my local machine that I want to transfer to a hosted phpMyAdmin on cPanel. However, when I try to import the database into the environment, I keep getting this error:

#1273 - Unknown collation: 'utf8mb4_unicode_ci' 

I have tried to Google around and the only solution I can find is this one phpmysql error - #1273 - #1273 - Unknown collation: 'utf8mb4_general_ci' which as by now isn't much help. I have tried clearing the cookies but it still won't work. Please help!

Answer 1

The technique in this post worked for me

1) Click the "Export" tab for the database

2) Click the "Custom" radio button

3) 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.

4) Scroll to the bottom and click "GO".

I'm not certain if doing this causes any data loss, however in the one time I've tried it I did not notice any. Neither did anyone who responded in the forums linked to above.

Edit 8/12/16 - I believe exporting a database in this way causes me to lose data saved in Black Studio TinyMCE Visual Editor widgets, though I haven't ran multiple tests to confirm.