Please note that we only officially support Linux on Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora. Reports indicate that our Linux app works on Kali, but support for this distribution may be limited.
1. Download our DEB package to install our repository
This package contains the repository configuration and keys that are required to install the Proton VPN app.
Download the Proton VPN DEB package
2. Install the Proton VPN repository
In the terminal, enter the following text (followed by <enter>).
sudo apt-get install {/path/to/}protonvpn-stable-release_1.0.3_all.deb
Replace {/path/to/} with the path to where you download the file. For example:
sudo apt-get install ~/Downloads/protonvpn-stable-release_1.0.3_all.deb
Please don’t try to check the GPG signature of this release package (dpkg-sig –verify). Our internal release process is split into several part and the release package is signed with a GPG key, and the repo is signed with another GPG key. So the keys don’t match.
If you want to check the repo package integrity, you can check its checksum with the following command:
echo "c409c819eed60985273e94e575fd5dfd8dd34baef3764fc7356b0f23e25a372c protonvpn-stable-release_1.0.3_all.deb" | sha256sum --check -
3. Update the apt-get package list
The following command updates the list of available packages and their versions. Doing this allows you to install the Proton VPN App. Run:
sudo apt-get update
4. Install the app
Now run:
sudo apt-get install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
Reboot your Linux PC and log in to the Proton VPN app with your Proton Account details. If you do not already have a Proton Account, you can sign up for a Proton VPN Free plan for Linux.
The Proton VPN Linux app is now ready to secure your internet browsing and allow you to access the free and open internet.
Learn how to use the Proton VPN Linux app
Notes
1. How to remove the official Linux app
To uninstall the new Linux app, open a terminal and enter:
sudo apt autoremove "protonvpn*" proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
2. How to remove the old (v3) Proton VPN app
To remove the old (v3) Proton VPN app from your Kali system, open the terminal and run:
sudo apt-get autoremove protonvpn
Remove any leftover files:
rm -rf ~/.cache/protonvpn
Followed by:
rm -rf ~/.config/protonvpn
3. Disable the kill switch if you have uninstalled the official app
You should disable the kill switch before uninstalling our official app. Failure to do this will likely prevent you from accessing the internet. Fortunately, this is easily fixed:
a) Open the terminal and use the following command to identify connections belonging to Proton VPN:
nmcli connection show --active
b) You will see a list of active connections. Look for any of them with the prefix pvpn- This usually includes pvpn-killswitch and pvpn-ipv6leak-protection, and may include pvpn-routed-killswitch. Delete all these connections using the following command:
nmcli connection delete [connection name]
For example:
nmcli connection delete pvpn-killswitch
c) Run the following command again to ensure that you have deleted all Proton VPN connections:
nmcli connection show --active
If any remain, delete them as described above.
4. Required dependencies
You’ll need one of the following Linux keyrings installed on your Kali system for our Linux app to work. But the chances are that one of them is already installed (you don’t want both, though, as this can cause problems).
- KWallet
- Gnome-keyring
Also needed (but probably already installed) is:
- systemd
5. Try out our beta Linux app
The beta version of our Linux app gives you access to new features before they are released publicly, but it is still in development. By using the beta version and sharing your feedback, you can help us find and address bugs.
Please note that we only officially support the beta app on Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora. It should work on Kali, but support for this distribution may be limited.
Important: You cannot upgrade from the beta version of our Linux app to the stable version. You will need to uninstall the beta app and then install the official app. Similarly, if you are using the stable version of our Linux VPN app, you should uninstall it before installing the early beta version.
If you would like to install the beta version instead of the stable release of this app, open a terminal window and:
1. Download the beta package. Enter:
wget https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian/dists/unstable/main/binary-all/protonvpn-beta-release_1.0.3-2_all.deb
2. Install the Proton VPN beta repository containing the new app. Run:
sudo dpkg -i ./protonvpn-beta-release_1.0.3-2_all.deb && sudo apt update
3. If you’re running the old (v3) Proton VPN app or CLI (stable or beta versions), simply run:
sudo apt update && apt upgrade
If you don’t have Proton VPN installed, run:
sudo apt install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
To check for updates and ensure that you’re running the latest version of the app, enter:
sudo apt update && apt upgrade
