# edit mysqld.cnf
# change 'bind-address' to the ip of remote machine that serves the mysql db
sudo vim /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf
# restart mysql server
sudo systemctl restart mysql
# create the credential used to connect from local -> remote mysql
CREATE USER 'username'@'local_ip' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON * . * TO 'username'@'local_ip';