diff --git a/import.php b/import.php
index d5433df99e..dd1b929abb 100644
--- a/import.php
+++ b/import.php
@@ -569,10 +569,8 @@ if ($file_to_unlink != '') {
 
 // Reset charset back, if we did some changes
 if ($reset_charset) {
-    $GLOBALS['dbi']->query('SET CHARACTER SET utf8');
-    $GLOBALS['dbi']->query(
-        'SET SESSION collation_connection =\'' . $collation_connection . '\''
-    );
+    $GLOBALS['dbi']->query('SET CHARACTER SET ' . $GLOBALS['charset_connection']);
+    $GLOBALS['dbi']->setCollationConnection($collation_connection);
 }
 
 // Show correct message
diff --git a/index.php b/index.php
index 93a3785322..df4f420250 100644
--- a/index.php
+++ b/index.php
@@ -85,6 +85,17 @@ if (isset($_POST['set_theme'])) {
     header('Location: index.php' . Url::getCommonRaw());
     exit();
 }
+// Change collation connection
+if (isset($_POST['collation_connection'])) {
+    $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->setUserValue(
+        null,
+        'DefaultConnectionCollation',
+        $_POST['collation_connection'],
+        'utf8mb4_unicode_ci'
+    );
+    header('Location: index.php' . Url::getCommonRaw());
+    exit();
+}
 
 
 // See FAQ 1.34
@@ -235,7 +246,7 @@ if ($server > 0 || count($cfg['Servers']) > 1
             }
         } // end if
         echo '    <li id="li_select_mysql_collation" class="no_bullets" >';
-        echo '        <form method="post" action="index.php">' , "\n"
+        echo '        <form class="disableAjax" method="post" action="index.php">' , "\n"
            . Url::getHiddenInputs(null, null, 4, 'collation_connection')
            . '            <label for="select_collation_connection">' . "\n"
            . '                ' . Util::getImage('s_asci')
diff --git a/libraries/classes/Config.php b/libraries/classes/Config.php
index 9387b89454..0f0aeef973 100644
--- a/libraries/classes/Config.php
+++ b/libraries/classes/Config.php
@@ -757,8 +757,6 @@ class Config
         }
 
         if (! $this->checkConfigSource()) {
-            // even if no config file, set collation_connection
-            $this->checkCollationConnection();
             return false;
         }
 
@@ -834,51 +832,21 @@ class Config
 
         $this->checkServers();
 
-        // Handling of the collation must be done after merging of $cfg
-        // (from config.inc.php) so that $cfg['DefaultConnectionCollation']
-        // can have an effect.
-        $this->checkCollationConnection();
-
         return true;
     }
 
     /**
-     * Saves the connection collation
-     *
-     * @param array $config_data configuration data from user preferences
+     * Sets the connection collation
      *
      * @return void
      */
-    private function _saveConnectionCollation(array $config_data)
+    private function _setConnectionCollation()
     {
-        // just to shorten the lines
-        $collation = 'collation_connection';
-        if (isset($GLOBALS[$collation])
-            && (isset($_COOKIE['pma_collation_connection'])
-            || isset($_POST[$collation]))
+        $collation_connection = $this->get('DefaultConnectionCollation');
+        if (! empty($collation_connection)
+            && $collation_connection != $GLOBALS['collation_connection']
         ) {
-            if ((! isset($config_data[$collation])
-                && $GLOBALS[$collation] != 'utf8_general_ci')
-                || isset($config_data[$collation])
-                && $GLOBALS[$collation] != $config_data[$collation]
-            ) {
-                $this->setUserValue(
-                    null,
-                    $collation,
-                    $GLOBALS[$collation],
-                    'utf8_general_ci'
-                );
-            }
-        } else {
-            // read collation from settings
-            if (isset($config_data[$collation])) {
-                $GLOBALS[$collation]
-                    = $config_data[$collation];
-                $this->setCookie(
-                    'pma_collation_connection',
-                    $GLOBALS[$collation]
-                );
-            }
+            $GLOBALS['dbi']->setCollation($collation_connection);
         }
     }
 
@@ -988,8 +956,8 @@ class Config
             }
         }
 
-        // save connection collation
-        $this->_saveConnectionCollation($config_data);
+        // set connection collation
+        $this->_setConnectionCollation();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1234,33 +1202,6 @@ class Config
             $GLOBALS['PMA_Theme']->filesize_info);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Sets collation_connection based on user preference. First is checked
-     * value from request, then cookies with fallback to default.
-     *
-     * After setting it here, cookie is set in common.inc.php to persist
-     * the selection.
-     *
-     * @todo check validity of collation string
-     *
-     * @return void
-     */
-    public function checkCollationConnection()
-    {
-        if (! empty($_REQUEST['collation_connection'])) {
-            $collation = htmlspecialchars(
-                strip_tags($_REQUEST['collation_connection'])
-            );
-        } elseif (! empty($_COOKIE['pma_collation_connection'])) {
-            $collation = htmlspecialchars(
-                strip_tags($_COOKIE['pma_collation_connection'])
-            );
-        } else {
-            $collation = $this->get('DefaultConnectionCollation');
-        }
-        $this->set('collation_connection', $collation);
-    }
-
     /**
      * checks if upload is enabled
      *
@@ -1403,7 +1344,6 @@ class Config
         $GLOBALS['cfg']             = $this->settings;
         $GLOBALS['default_server']  = $this->default_server;
         unset($this->default_server);
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = $this->get('collation_connection');
         $GLOBALS['is_upload']       = $this->get('enable_upload');
         $GLOBALS['max_upload_size'] = $this->get('max_upload_size');
         $GLOBALS['is_https']        = $this->get('is_https');
diff --git a/libraries/classes/Config/Descriptions.php b/libraries/classes/Config/Descriptions.php
index 97cb9e7b17..70d007bbf0 100644
--- a/libraries/classes/Config/Descriptions.php
+++ b/libraries/classes/Config/Descriptions.php
@@ -1484,6 +1484,8 @@ class Descriptions
                 return __('Order by');
             case 'FontSize_name':
                 return __('Font size');
+            case 'DefaultConnectionCollation_name':
+                return __('Server connection collation');
         }
         return null;
     }
diff --git a/libraries/classes/Config/Forms/User/FeaturesForm.php b/libraries/classes/Config/Forms/User/FeaturesForm.php
index 6e8e30d1d1..9a121e9e40 100644
--- a/libraries/classes/Config/Forms/User/FeaturesForm.php
+++ b/libraries/classes/Config/Forms/User/FeaturesForm.php
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class FeaturesForm extends BaseForm
                 'Servers/1/hide_db', // saves to Server/hide_db
                 'MaxDbList',
                 'MaxTableList',
+                'DefaultConnectionCollation',
             ),
             'Text_fields' => array(
                 'CharEditing',
diff --git a/libraries/classes/DatabaseInterface.php b/libraries/classes/DatabaseInterface.php
index 759075a1b0..dadc4a26d7 100644
--- a/libraries/classes/DatabaseInterface.php
+++ b/libraries/classes/DatabaseInterface.php
@@ -1435,46 +1435,13 @@ class DatabaseInterface
             $default_charset = 'utf8';
             $default_collation = 'utf8_general_ci';
         }
-        $collation_connection = $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->get('collation_connection');
-        if (! empty($collation_connection)) {
-            $this->query(
-                "SET CHARACTER SET '$default_charset';",
-                DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER,
-                self::QUERY_STORE
-            );
-            /* Automatically adjust collation if not supported by server */
-            if ($default_charset == 'utf8'
-                && strncmp('utf8mb4_', $collation_connection, 8) == 0
-            ) {
-                $collation_connection = 'utf8_' . substr($collation_connection, 8);
-            }
-            $result = $this->tryQuery(
-                "SET collation_connection = '"
-                . $this->escapeString($collation_connection, DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER)
-                . "';",
-                DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER,
-                self::QUERY_STORE
-            );
-            if ($result === false) {
-                trigger_error(
-                    __('Failed to set configured collation connection!'),
-                    E_USER_WARNING
-                );
-                $this->query(
-                    "SET collation_connection = '"
-                    . $this->escapeString($collation_connection, DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER)
-                    . "';",
-                    DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER,
-                    self::QUERY_STORE
-                );
-            }
-        } else {
-            $this->query(
-                "SET NAMES '$default_charset' COLLATE '$default_collation';",
-                DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER,
-                self::QUERY_STORE
-            );
-        }
+        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = $default_collation;
+        $GLOBALS['charset_connection'] = $default_charset;
+        $this->query(
+            "SET NAMES '$default_charset' COLLATE '$default_collation';",
+            DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER,
+            self::QUERY_STORE
+        );
 
         /* Locale for messages */
         $locale = LanguageManager::getInstance()->getCurrentLanguage()->getMySQLLocale();
@@ -1522,6 +1489,35 @@ class DatabaseInterface
         $GLOBALS['dblist'] = new DatabaseList();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sets collation connection for user link
+     *
+     * @param string $collation collation to set
+     */
+    public function setCollation($collation)
+    {
+        $charset = $GLOBALS['charset_connection'];
+        /* Automatically adjust collation if not supported by server */
+        if ($charset == 'utf8' && strncmp('utf8mb4_', $collation, 8) == 0) {
+            $collation = 'utf8_' . substr($collation, 8);
+        }
+        $result = $this->tryQuery(
+            "SET collation_connection = '"
+            . $this->escapeString($collation, DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER)
+            . "';",
+            DatabaseInterface::CONNECT_USER,
+            self::QUERY_STORE
+        );
+        if ($result === false) {
+            trigger_error(
+                __('Failed to set configured collation connection!'),
+                E_USER_WARNING
+            );
+        } else {
+            $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = $collation;
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Function called just after a connection to the MySQL database server has
      * been established. It sets the connection collation, and determines the
diff --git a/libraries/classes/Header.php b/libraries/classes/Header.php
index 6a56b5cc4e..8a3cbdac24 100644
--- a/libraries/classes/Header.php
+++ b/libraries/classes/Header.php
@@ -219,17 +219,11 @@ class Header
         $pftext = isset($_SESSION['tmpval']['pftext'])
             ? $_SESSION['tmpval']['pftext'] : '';
 
-        // not sure when this happens, but it happens
-        if (! isset($GLOBALS['collation_connection'])) {
-            $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf8_general_ci';
-        }
-
         $params = array(
             'common_query' => Url::getCommonRaw(),
             'opendb_url' => Util::getScriptNameForOption(
                 $GLOBALS['cfg']['DefaultTabDatabase'], 'database'
             ),
-            'collation_connection' => $GLOBALS['collation_connection'],
             'lang' => $GLOBALS['lang'],
             'server' => $GLOBALS['server'],
             'table' => $table,
diff --git a/libraries/classes/Url.php b/libraries/classes/Url.php
index 423abd6d0d..36219e17e4 100644
--- a/libraries/classes/Url.php
+++ b/libraries/classes/Url.php
@@ -57,11 +57,6 @@ class Url
         if (empty($_COOKIE['pma_lang']) && ! empty($GLOBALS['lang'])) {
             $params['lang'] = $GLOBALS['lang'];
         }
-        if (empty($_COOKIE['pma_collation_connection'])
-            && ! empty($GLOBALS['collation_connection'])
-        ) {
-            $params['collation_connection'] = $GLOBALS['collation_connection'];
-        }
 
         if (! is_array($skip)) {
             if (isset($params[$skip])) {
@@ -217,11 +212,6 @@ class Url
         if (empty($_COOKIE['pma_lang']) && ! empty($GLOBALS['lang'])) {
             $params['lang'] = $GLOBALS['lang'];
         }
-        if (empty($_COOKIE['pma_collation_connection'])
-            && ! empty($GLOBALS['collation_connection'])
-        ) {
-            $params['collation_connection'] = $GLOBALS['collation_connection'];
-        }
 
         $query = http_build_query($params, null, $separator);
 
diff --git a/libraries/classes/UserPreferences.php b/libraries/classes/UserPreferences.php
index 69fd8905dc..3680b31607 100644
--- a/libraries/classes/UserPreferences.php
+++ b/libraries/classes/UserPreferences.php
@@ -169,7 +169,6 @@ class UserPreferences
         // whitelist some additional fields which are custom handled
         $whitelist['ThemeDefault'] = true;
         $whitelist['lang'] = true;
-        $whitelist['collation_connection'] = true;
         $whitelist['Server/hide_db'] = true;
         $whitelist['Server/only_db'] = true;
         $whitelist['2fa'] = true;
diff --git a/libraries/common.inc.php b/libraries/common.inc.php
index 1abd66e263..cb3323afa3 100644
--- a/libraries/common.inc.php
+++ b/libraries/common.inc.php
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ if (Core::checkPageValidity($_REQUEST['back'])) {
  * mis-match does not make sense
  *
  * @todo variables should be handled by their respective owners (objects)
- * f.e. lang, server, collation_connection in PhpMyAdmin\Config
+ * f.e. lang, server in PhpMyAdmin\Config
  */
 
 $token_mismatch = true;
@@ -291,12 +291,6 @@ if (! defined('PMA_MINIMUM_COMMON')) {
      * @todo should be done in PhpMyAdmin\Config
      */
     $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->setCookie('pma_lang', $GLOBALS['lang']);
-    if (isset($GLOBALS['collation_connection'])) {
-        $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->setCookie(
-            'pma_collation_connection',
-            $GLOBALS['collation_connection']
-        );
-    }
 
     ThemeManager::getInstance()->setThemeCookie();
 
diff --git a/prefs_manage.php b/prefs_manage.php
index a87ec2c63c..740ec36187 100644
--- a/prefs_manage.php
+++ b/prefs_manage.php
@@ -160,11 +160,6 @@ if (isset($_POST['submit_export'])
         ) {
             $params['lang'] = $config['lang'];
         }
-        if (isset($config['collation_connection'])
-            && $config['collation_connection'] != $GLOBALS['collation_connection']
-        ) {
-            $params['collation_connection'] = $config['collation_connection'];
-        }
 
         // save settings
         $result = UserPreferences::save($cf->getConfigArray());
diff --git a/test/classes/ConfigTest.php b/test/classes/ConfigTest.php
index 20e067ff58..e85e3345d6 100644
--- a/test/classes/ConfigTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/ConfigTest.php
@@ -545,22 +545,6 @@ class ConfigTest extends PmaTestCase
         );
     }
 
-    /**
-     * test for CheckCollationConnection
-     *
-     * @return void
-     */
-    public function testCheckCollationConnection()
-    {
-        $_REQUEST['collation_connection'] = 'utf-8';
-        $this->object->checkCollationConnection();
-
-        $this->assertEquals(
-            $_REQUEST['collation_connection'],
-            $this->object->get('collation_connection')
-        );
-    }
-
     /**
      * test for IsHttp
      *
diff --git a/test/classes/Database/SearchTest.php b/test/classes/Database/SearchTest.php
index d60afd3593..d2da90c801 100644
--- a/test/classes/Database/SearchTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/Database/SearchTest.php
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ class SearchTest extends PmaTestCase
         $this->object = new Search('pma_test');
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 0;
         $GLOBALS['db'] = 'pma';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf-8';
 
         //mock DBI
         $dbi = $this->getMockBuilder('PhpMyAdmin\DatabaseInterface')
@@ -216,14 +215,13 @@ class SearchTest extends PmaTestCase
                 . '</td><td><a name="browse_search"  class="ajax browse_results" '
                 . 'href="sql.php?db=pma&amp;table'
                 . '=table1&amp;goto=db_sql.php&amp;pos=0&amp;is_js_confirmed=0&amp;'
-                . 'server=0&amp;lang=en&amp;'
-                . 'collation_connection=utf-8" '
+                . 'server=0&amp;lang=en" '
                 . 'data-browse-sql="column1" data-table-name="table1" '
                 . '>Browse</a></td><td>'
                 . '<a name="delete_search" class="ajax delete_results" href'
                 . '="sql.php?db=pma&amp;table=table1&amp;goto=db_sql.php&amp;pos=0'
                 . '&amp;is_js_confirmed=0&amp;server=0&amp;'
-                . 'lang=en&amp;collation_connection=utf-8" '
+                . 'lang=en" '
                 . 'data-delete-sql="column2" '
                 . 'data-table-name="table1" '
                 . '>Delete</a></td></tr>'
diff --git a/test/classes/DatabaseInterfaceTest.php b/test/classes/DatabaseInterfaceTest.php
index 6823c4ed8b..35b236d407 100644
--- a/test/classes/DatabaseInterfaceTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/DatabaseInterfaceTest.php
@@ -442,6 +442,45 @@ class DatabaseInterfaceTest extends PmaTestCase
             array('10.1.22-MariaDB-', 100122, 10, false),
         );
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Tests for DBI::setCollationl() method.
+     *
+     * @return void
+     * @test
+     */
+    public function testSetCollation()
+    {
+        $extension = $this->getMockBuilder('PhpMyAdmin\Dbi\DbiDummy')
+            ->disableOriginalConstructor()
+            ->getMock();
+        $extension->expects($this->any())->method('escapeString')
+            ->will($this->returnArgument(1));
+
+        $extension->expects($this->exactly(4))
+            ->method('realQuery')
+            ->withConsecutive(
+                array("SET collation_connection = 'utf8_czech_ci';"),
+                array("SET collation_connection = 'utf8mb4_bin_ci';"),
+                array("SET collation_connection = 'utf8_czech_ci';"),
+                array("SET collation_connection = 'utf8_bin_ci';")
+            )
+            ->willReturnOnConsecutiveCalls(
+                true,
+                true,
+                true,
+                true
+            );
+
+        $dbi = new DatabaseInterface($extension);
+
+        $GLOBALS['charset_connection'] = 'utf8mb4';
+        $dbi->setCollation('utf8_czech_ci');
+        $dbi->setCollation('utf8mb4_bin_ci');
+        $GLOBALS['charset_connection'] = 'utf8';
+        $dbi->setCollation('utf8_czech_ci');
+        $dbi->setCollation('utf8mb4_bin_ci');
+    }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/test/classes/Display/ResultsTest.php b/test/classes/Display/ResultsTest.php
index f620c358d7..fed7bdb676 100644
--- a/test/classes/Display/ResultsTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/Display/ResultsTest.php
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
         $GLOBALS['PMA_Config'] = new Config();
         $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->enableBc();
         $GLOBALS['text_dir'] = 'ltr';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf-8';
 
         $dbi = $this->getMockBuilder('PhpMyAdmin\DatabaseInterface')
             ->disableOriginalConstructor()
@@ -965,7 +964,6 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 'routine_name',
                 'db_routines.php?item_name=circumference&db=data'
                 . '&item_type=FUNCTION&server=0&lang=en'
-                . '&collation_connection=utf-8'
             ),
             array(
                 'information_schema',
@@ -979,7 +977,6 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 'routine_name',
                 'db_routines.php?item_name=area&db=data'
                 . '&item_type=PROCEDURE&server=0&lang=en'
-                . '&collation_connection=utf-8'
             ),
             array(
                 'information_schema',
@@ -993,7 +990,6 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 'index.php?sql_query=SELECT+%60CHARACTER_SET_NAME%60+FROM+%60info'
                 . 'rmation_schema%60.%60CHARACTER_SETS%60&db=information_schema'
                 . '&test_name=value&server=0&lang=en'
-                . '&collation_connection=utf-8'
             )
         );
     }
@@ -1160,7 +1156,6 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 . '<input type="hidden" name="db" value="mysql" />'
                 . '<input type="hidden" name="table" value="user" />'
                 . '<input type="hidden" name="lang" value="en" />'
-                . '<input type="hidden" name="collation_connection" value="utf-8" />'
                 . '<input type="hidden" name="token" value="token" />'
                 . '<input type="hidden" name="sql_query" value="SELECT * FROM `user`" />'
                 . '<input type="hidden" name="pos" value="0" />'
@@ -1340,7 +1335,7 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 $url_params,
                 null,
                 '<a href="tbl_get_field.php?db=foo&amp;table=bar&amp;server=0'
-                . '&amp;lang=en&amp;collation_connection=utf-8'
+                . '&amp;lang=en'
                 . '" class="disableAjax">1001</a>'
             ),
             array(
@@ -1355,7 +1350,7 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 $url_params,
                 null,
                 '<a href="tbl_get_field.php?db=foo&amp;table=bar&amp;server=0'
-                . '&amp;lang=en&amp;collation_connection=utf-8'
+                . '&amp;lang=en'
                 . '" class="disableAjax">0x123456</a>'
             ),
             array(
@@ -1370,7 +1365,7 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 $url_params,
                 null,
                 '<a href="tbl_get_field.php?db=foo&amp;table=bar&amp;server=0'
-                . '&amp;lang=en&amp;collation_connection=utf-8'
+                . '&amp;lang=en'
                 . '" class="disableAjax">[BLOB - 4 B]</a>'
             ),
             array(
@@ -1494,7 +1489,6 @@ class ResultsTest extends PmaTestCase
                 '<td class="left   hex">' . PHP_EOL
                 . '    <a href="tbl_get_field.php?'
                 . 'db=foo&amp;table=tbl&amp;server=0&amp;lang=en'
-                . '&amp;collation_connection=utf-8'
                 . '" '
                 . 'class="disableAjax">[BLOB - 4 B]</a>' . PHP_EOL
                 . '</td>' . PHP_EOL
diff --git a/test/classes/FooterTest.php b/test/classes/FooterTest.php
index cc98b84427..8eef4a75ed 100644
--- a/test/classes/FooterTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/FooterTest.php
@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@ class FooterTest extends PmaTestCase
         $GLOBALS['text_dir'] = 'ltr';
         $GLOBALS['PMA_Config'] = new Config();
         $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->enableBc();
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf8_general_ci';
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['Server']['verbose'] = 'verbose host';
         $GLOBALS['server'] = '1';
         $_GET['reload_left_frame'] = '1';
@@ -155,8 +154,8 @@ class FooterTest extends PmaTestCase
 
         $this->assertEquals(
             '<div id="selflink" class="print_ignore"><a href="index.php?db=&amp;'
-            . 'table=&amp;server=1&amp;target=&amp;lang=en&amp;collation_connection='
-            . 'utf8_general_ci" title="Open new phpMyAdmin window" '
+            . 'table=&amp;server=1&amp;target=&amp;lang=en'
+            . '" title="Open new phpMyAdmin window" '
             . 'target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Open new phpMyAdmin window</a></div>',
             $this->_callPrivateFunction(
                 '_getSelfLink',
@@ -180,8 +179,8 @@ class FooterTest extends PmaTestCase
 
         $this->assertEquals(
             '<div id="selflink" class="print_ignore"><a href="index.php?db=&amp;'
-            . 'table=&amp;server=1&amp;target=&amp;lang=en&amp;collation_connection='
-            . 'utf8_general_ci" title="Open new phpMyAdmin window" '
+            . 'table=&amp;server=1&amp;target=&amp;lang=en'
+            . '" title="Open new phpMyAdmin window" '
             . 'target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="themes/dot.gif" title="Open new '
             . 'phpMyAdmin window" alt="Open new phpMyAdmin window" '
             . 'class="icon ic_window-new" /></a></div>',
diff --git a/test/classes/InsertEditTest.php b/test/classes/InsertEditTest.php
index 75e4f2adf3..44eea3babd 100644
--- a/test/classes/InsertEditTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/InsertEditTest.php
@@ -280,7 +280,6 @@ class InsertEditTest extends TestCase
      */
     public function testShowTypeOrFunction()
     {
-        unset($GLOBALS['collation_connection']);
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['ShowFieldTypesInDataEditView'] = true;
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['ServerDefault'] = 1;
         $url_params = array('ShowFunctionFields' => 2);
diff --git a/test/classes/MessageTest.php b/test/classes/MessageTest.php
index 95a1ab3d96..519bbf26fc 100644
--- a/test/classes/MessageTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/MessageTest.php
@@ -425,7 +425,6 @@ class MessageTest extends PmaTestCase
     public function testDecodeBB($actual, $expected)
     {
         unset($GLOBALS['server']);
-        unset($GLOBALS['collation_connection']);
         $this->assertEquals($expected, Message::decodeBB($actual));
     }
 
diff --git a/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationConfigTest.php b/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationConfigTest.php
index 3fe0f16e7d..c8cd6ffa7d 100644
--- a/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationConfigTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationConfigTest.php
@@ -97,7 +97,6 @@ class AuthenticationConfigTest extends PmaTestCase
         $GLOBALS['error_handler'] = new ErrorHandler;
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['Servers'] = array(1);
         $GLOBALS['allowDeny_forbidden'] = false;
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf-8';
 
         $dbi = $this->getMockBuilder('PhpMyAdmin\DatabaseInterface')
             ->disableOriginalConstructor()
@@ -129,8 +128,7 @@ class AuthenticationConfigTest extends PmaTestCase
         );
 
         $this->assertContains(
-            '<a href="index.php?server=0&amp;lang=en'
-            . '&amp;collation_connection=utf-8" '
+            '<a href="index.php?server=0&amp;lang=en" '
             . 'class="button disableAjax">Retry to connect</a>',
             $html
         );
diff --git a/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationCookieTest.php b/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationCookieTest.php
index b0e1caa74a..8587d46fad 100644
--- a/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationCookieTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/Plugins/Auth/AuthenticationCookieTest.php
@@ -371,11 +371,10 @@ class AuthenticationCookieTest extends PmaTestCase
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['Servers'] = array(1, 2, 3);
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['Server']['LogoutURL'] = 'https://example.com/logout';
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['Server']['auth_type'] = 'cookie';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf-8';
 
         $_COOKIE['pmaAuth-2'] = '';
 
-        $this->mockResponse('Location: /phpmyadmin/index.php?server=2&lang=en&collation_connection=utf-8');
+        $this->mockResponse('Location: /phpmyadmin/index.php?server=2&lang=en');
 
         $this->object->logOut();
     }
@@ -727,10 +726,9 @@ class AuthenticationCookieTest extends PmaTestCase
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 2;
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['LoginCookieStore'] = true;
         $GLOBALS['from_cookie'] = false;
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf-8';
 
         $this->mockResponse(
-            $this->stringContains('&server=2&lang=en&collation_connection=utf-8')
+            $this->stringContains('&server=2&lang=en')
         );
 
         $this->object->storeCredentials();
diff --git a/test/classes/SanitizeTest.php b/test/classes/SanitizeTest.php
index bf87ef1193..e719b1d6d2 100644
--- a/test/classes/SanitizeTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/SanitizeTest.php
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ class SanitizeTest extends TestCase
 
         unset($GLOBALS['server']);
         unset($GLOBALS['lang']);
-        unset($GLOBALS['collation_connection']);
         $this->assertEquals(
             '<a href="./url.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phpmyadmin.net%2F" target="target">link</a>',
             Sanitize::sanitize('[a@https://www.phpmyadmin.net/@target]link[/a]')
diff --git a/test/classes/Server/PrivilegesTest.php b/test/classes/Server/PrivilegesTest.php
index 3a9d06ad8e..d3b9d8c16d 100644
--- a/test/classes/Server/PrivilegesTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/Server/PrivilegesTest.php
@@ -70,7 +70,6 @@ class PrivilegesTest extends TestCase
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 1;
         $GLOBALS['hostname'] = "hostname";
         $GLOBALS['username'] = "username";
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = "collation_connection";
         $GLOBALS['text_dir'] = "text_dir";
         $GLOBALS['is_reload_priv'] = true;
 
@@ -2406,14 +2405,12 @@ class PrivilegesTest extends TestCase
         $this->assertContains('<td>Z</td>', $actual);
         $this->assertContains(
             '<a class="ajax" href="server_privileges.php?initial=-&amp;'
-            . 'server=1&amp;lang=en&amp;collation_connection='
-            . 'collation_connection">-</a>',
+            . 'server=1&amp;lang=en">-</a>',
             $actual
         );
         $this->assertContains(
             '<a class="ajax" href="server_privileges.php?initial=%22&amp;'
-            . 'server=1&amp;lang=en&amp;collation_connection='
-            . 'collation_connection">"</a>',
+            . 'server=1&amp;lang=en">"</a>',
             $actual
         );
         $this->assertContains('Show all', $actual);
diff --git a/test/classes/ThemeManagerTest.php b/test/classes/ThemeManagerTest.php
index 9de8994d06..33fd46756f 100644
--- a/test/classes/ThemeManagerTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/ThemeManagerTest.php
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ class ThemeManagerTest extends PmaTestCase
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['ServerDefault'] = 0;
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 99;
         $GLOBALS['PMA_Config'] = new Config();
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf8_general_ci';
 
         $dbi = $this->getMockBuilder('PhpMyAdmin\DatabaseInterface')
             ->disableOriginalConstructor()
diff --git a/test/classes/ThemeTest.php b/test/classes/ThemeTest.php
index 63a3291286..977258bb34 100644
--- a/test/classes/ThemeTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/ThemeTest.php
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ class ThemeTest extends PmaTestCase
         $GLOBALS['text_dir'] = 'ltr';
         include 'themes/pmahomme/layout.inc.php';
         $GLOBALS['server'] = '99';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf-8';
     }
 
     /**
@@ -294,7 +293,6 @@ class ThemeTest extends PmaTestCase
             $this->object->getPrintPreview(),
             '<div class="theme_preview"><h2> (0.0.0.0) </h2><p><a class="take_'
             . 'theme" name="" href="index.php?set_theme=&amp;server=99&amp;lang=en'
-            . '&amp;collation_connection=utf-8'
             . '">No preview available.[ <strong>take it</strong> ]'
             . '</a></p></div>'
         );
diff --git a/test/classes/UrlTest.php b/test/classes/UrlTest.php
index 56232c1bfa..2bce450315 100644
--- a/test/classes/UrlTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/UrlTest.php
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class UrlTest extends TestCase
      */
     public function setUp()
     {
-        unset($_COOKIE['pma_lang'], $_COOKIE['pma_collation_connection']);
+        unset($_COOKIE['pma_lang']);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -37,14 +37,10 @@ class UrlTest extends TestCase
     public function testDbOnly()
     {
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 'x';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'x';
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['ServerDefault'] = 'y';
 
         $separator = Url::getArgSeparator();
-        $expected = 'server=x' . htmlentities($separator)
-            . 'lang=en' . htmlentities($separator)
-            . 'collation_connection=x'
-            ;
+        $expected = 'server=x' . htmlentities($separator) . 'lang=en' ;
 
         $expected = '?db=db'
             . htmlentities($separator) . $expected;
@@ -60,14 +56,10 @@ class UrlTest extends TestCase
     public function testNewStyle()
     {
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 'x';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'x';
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['ServerDefault'] = 'y';
 
         $separator = Url::getArgSeparator();
-        $expected = 'server=x' . htmlentities($separator)
-            . 'lang=en' . htmlentities($separator)
-            . 'collation_connection=x'
-            ;
+        $expected = 'server=x' . htmlentities($separator) . 'lang=en' ;
 
         $expected = '?db=db'
             . htmlentities($separator) . 'table=table'
@@ -84,14 +76,10 @@ class UrlTest extends TestCase
     public function testWithAlternateDivider()
     {
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 'x';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'x';
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['ServerDefault'] = 'y';
 
         $separator = Url::getArgSeparator();
-        $expected = 'server=x' . $separator
-            . 'lang=en' . $separator
-            . 'collation_connection=x'
-            ;
+        $expected = 'server=x' . $separator . 'lang=en' ;
 
         $expected = '#ABC#db=db' . $separator . 'table=table' . $separator
             . $expected;
@@ -111,14 +99,10 @@ class UrlTest extends TestCase
     public function testDefault()
     {
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 'x';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'x';
         $GLOBALS['cfg']['ServerDefault'] = 'y';
 
         $separator = Url::getArgSeparator();
-        $expected = '?server=x' . htmlentities($separator)
-            . 'lang=en' . htmlentities($separator)
-            . 'collation_connection=x'
-            ;
+        $expected = '?server=x' . htmlentities($separator) . 'lang=en' ;
         $this->assertEquals($expected, Url::getCommon());
     }
 }
diff --git a/test/classes/UserPreferencesTest.php b/test/classes/UserPreferencesTest.php
index 9264c47161..d3cd41d470 100644
--- a/test/classes/UserPreferencesTest.php
+++ b/test/classes/UserPreferencesTest.php
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ class UserPreferencesTest extends PmaTestCase
         include 'libraries/config.default.php';
         $GLOBALS['server'] = 0;
         $GLOBALS['PMA_PHP_SELF'] = '/phpmyadmin/';
-        $GLOBALS['collation_connection'] = 'utf8_general_ci';
     }
 
     /**
@@ -355,7 +354,7 @@ class UserPreferencesTest extends PmaTestCase
     {
         $GLOBALS['lang'] = '';
 
-        $this->mockResponse('Location: /phpmyadmin/file.html?a=b&saved=1&server=0&collation_connection=utf8_general_ci#h+ash');
+        $this->mockResponse('Location: /phpmyadmin/file.html?a=b&saved=1&server=0#h+ash');
 
         $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->set('PmaAbsoluteUri', '');
         $GLOBALS['PMA_Config']->set('PMA_IS_IIS', false);