
To install Proton VPN on Linux, you'll first need to download the Proton VPN client from the official website.
The client is available for various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora.
Proton VPN offers a simple and straightforward installation process.
To begin, open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the client.
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Installation
To install ProtonVPN on your Linux desktop, you'll need to create a ProtonVPN account first.
The VPN leverages the IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN protocols, and we'll be using OpenVPN for this setup.
To install OpenVPN, run the following commands in your terminal:
These commands will get OpenVPN up and running on your Linux desktop.
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Install
To install ProtonVPN on your Linux desktop, you'll need to start by creating a ProtonVPN account.
Create a ProtonVPN account by following the sign-up process on their website.
The VPN leverages the IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN protocols.
OpenVPN protocol supports both TCP and UDP, so we'll use OpenVPN on our Linux desktop.
To install OpenVPN, run the following commands:
The ProtonVPN account already created is a prerequisite for the installation process.
You'll need to run these commands to install OpenVPN and get started with ProtonVPN on your Linux desktop.
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Official Client
To use the official ProtonVPN client, you'll need to install NetworkManager and network-manager-applet. This is a requirement for the VPN to connect.
You can still use your current network manager, but running multiple network managers is not recommended. This can potentially cause issues with your network settings.
Here are the specific steps to follow:
- Install NetworkManager
- Install network-manager-applet
Both NetworkManager and network-manager-applet need to be running for the ProtonVPN official clients to connect.
Configuration
To configure ProtonVPN on Linux, you'll want to start by enabling port forwarding. For paid ProtonVPN users, this is a simple process.
For proton-vpn-gtk-app, you can enable port forwarding as a setting, and the forwarded port will be displayed when you connect to a server.
Protects Your Online Privacy
You can browse privately with Proton VPN by connecting to one of their high-speed servers, which hides your IP address and bypasses digital borders.
Proton VPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means they don't record your browsing history, and they don't sell your data to third parties.
Their zero-access, end-to-end encryption ensures that your data is encrypted from your device to the VPN server, and it can't be accessed by anyone in between.
Proton VPN also has full-disk encrypted servers, which means that even if their servers are compromised, your data will still be protected.
Here are some key features that protect your online privacy:
- Strict no-logs policy
- Zero-access, end-to-end encryption
- Full-disk encrypted servers
- Perfect forward secrecy
- DNS leak protection
- Kill switch
Restrict VPN Access to Specific Apps
vopono supports automatic configuration file generation for ProtonVPN, allowing you to run applications inside temporary network namespaces so only those run through the VPN.
With vopono, you can run certain applications through VPN with network namespaces, giving you more control over your online activities.
Enable Port Forwarding
If you're a paid ProtonVPN user, you're in luck because port forwarding is supported.
To enable port forwarding for proton-vpn-gtk-app, simply toggle the setting and it will display the forwarded port when you connect to a server.
For OpenVPN and Wireguard installations, you'll need to refer to ProtonVPN's documentation for the necessary steps.
Setup Options
To set up WireGuard on your Linux system, you'll need to download the configuration files from ProtonVPN's website. This involves signing into your account, navigating to the Downloads section, and selecting the WireGuard configuration files.
You'll need to move these .conf files into the /etc/wireguard directory. Be aware that WireGuard might not work well with file names that are too long, so consider renaming them if necessary.
You'll also need to start or enable systemd-resolved if you haven't already.
When configuring ProtonVPN on your Linux desktop, you'll be prompted to provide your OpenVPN username and password. Don't worry, you copied these details somewhere safe, right?
You'll then need to choose between the TCP and UDP protocols. While both work fine, we recommend going with UDP for speed, so type 1 and hit ENTER.
Finally, review the configuration summary to ensure everything looks good. If it does, hit 'Y' and press ENTER to confirm.
OpenVPN
To set up OpenVPN on Linux, download the necessary configuration files from the ProtonVPN Downloads page.
You'll need to copy these files into the /etc/openvpn/client/ directory and make a backup of the original files.
Follow the steps outlined in the OpenVPN#The update-systemd-resolved custom script to ensure all network traffic uses the VPN. If you're using an older version of systemd, follow the OpenVPN#The update-resolv-conf custom script instead.
For usage instructions, see the Using OpenVPN section.
To connect to the VPN, provide your OpenVPN/IKEv2 username from the ProtonVPN Account page.
If you're not using the official Proton VPN Linux app, you can configure OpenVPN or WireGuard manually on Linux. This can be useful if you need to access the service using the command line or if you're using a device not supported by the official app.
Here are the options:
- Manually configure OpenVPN for Proton VPN on Linux
- Manually configure WireGuard on Linux
Keep in mind that we don't support installation of the official app through Flatpak or the Arch official extra repositories. However, community contributors have published unofficial versions that you can use at your own risk.
WireGuard
To set up WireGuard with ProtonVPN on Linux, you'll first need to download the configuration files by signing into your ProtonVPN account and navigating to Downloads → WireGuard configuration.
These configuration files will be in the form of .conf files, which you'll need to move into the /etc/wireguard directory.
Consider renaming the .conf files if necessary, as WireGuard may not work well with names that are too long.
If you haven't already, make sure to start or enable systemd-resolved to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Client Management
Client management is crucial for a seamless Proton VPN Linux experience. Proton VPN offers a user-friendly interface that allows for easy client management.
You can manage your Proton VPN clients from the Proton VPN dashboard. This includes the ability to view and manage all connected devices.
Proton VPN allows you to revoke access to any device, which is a convenient feature for when you need to disconnect a device from your account.
System Tray Icon

To enable a system tray icon on Debian-based distributions, you'll need to run a specific command. The command is: sudo apt-get install gnome-shell-extension-appindicator.
This will allow you to use tray icons, but you'll need to restart the Proton VPN app after installation. To do this, click V → Quit and open the app again.
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Save Login Information
To save login information for easy access, create a file with your VPN credentials on two lines and place it in the directory where you'll run the startup script.
This file should contain your login information, which will be used for subsequent connections.
Add the line auth-user-pass login.conf to any relevant *.ovpn files to enable the use of the saved login information.
Connection
To connect to ProtonVPN in Linux, you'll need to run a command in your terminal. The Free plan gives you a choice of 3 countries: Japan, the Netherlands, and the US.
You can connect to any of these countries. For this example, we've selected Japan. Next, pick a server location from the country you've selected.
A few seconds later, a secure connection will be established. You can confirm the IP change by visiting https://whatismyip.com.
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Alternative Uses

If you're using Linux and want to access Proton VPN without our official app, you have a few options. You can manually configure OpenVPN or WireGuard using either NetworkManager or the command line.
This method can be useful on devices not supported by our Proton VPN Linux app. For example, you can manually configure OpenVPN for Proton VPN on Linux or learn how to manually configure WireGuard on Linux.
If you're looking for alternative installation methods, you might consider using Flatpak or the Arch official extra repositories. However, we don't currently support installation of our official app through these methods.
Instead, you can try using community-contributed versions, but be aware that these are not developed by us and we can't provide support for them.
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Connect to
Connecting to ProtonVPN can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered.
To start, you need to make sure you're using the official client, which requires both NetworkManager and network-manager-applet to be installed and running.

If you're using the GUI or CLI application, you'll need to install and configure these two packages first.
For OpenVPN, you'll need to provide your username from the ProtonVPN Account page to connect to the VPN.
To connect to ProtonVPN in Linux, you'll need to run a specific command to establish a secure connection to one of the ProtonVPN servers.
The Free plan gives you a choice of three countries: Japan, the Netherlands, and the US, which will all work just fine.
You can pick any of these countries, and then select a server location within that country.
A few seconds later, a secure connection will be established, and you can confirm the IP change by visiting https://whatismyip.com.
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Disconnect
Disconnecting from a VPN is a straightforward process. To disconnect from ProtonVPN, you can use the command mentioned in the guide.
If you're using ProtonVPN on Linux, you've probably seen the command to disconnect. The command is straightforward and easy to remember.
Once you're done using the VPN, simply type the command to disconnect. This will end your VPN session and disconnect you from the ProtonVPN service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police track Proton VPN?
While Proton VPN encrypts your internet traffic, law enforcement agencies may still be able to track your online activity using alternative methods. Learn more about the limitations of VPNs and how to maintain online security.
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