How to install Proton VPN on Fedora

Proton VPN offers a Linux GUI app (with a graphic user interface) and a Linux CLI (command-line tool). These are officially supported on the latest stable Fedora version running the GNOME desktop environment. Currently, this is Fedora 44.

• Other ways to use Proton VPN on Linux
• How to use the Proton VPN Linux GUI app
• How to use the Proton VPN CLI

In this support guide, we show you how to install Proton VPN on Fedora using our official repositories. These instructions install both the Linux GUI app and Linux CLI. Note that you can’t run the GUI app and the CLI at the same time.

• How to install Proton VPN
• How to enable the system tray icon (GUI only)
• How to disable the kill switch if you have uninstalled Proton VPN
• How to install our beta Linux GUI app and CLI
• How to uninstall Proton VPN the app

How to install Proton VPN

1. Open a terminal window.

2. Download the package that contains the repository configuration and keys required to install the Proton VPN GUI app and CLI. Run:

wget "https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-$(cat /etc/fedora-release | cut -d' ' -f 3)-stable/protonvpn-stable-release/protonvpn-stable-release-1.0.4-1.noarch.rpm"

3. Install the Proton VPN repository containing GUI app and CLI. Run:

sudo dnf install ./protonvpn-stable-release-1.0.4-1.noarch.rpm && sudo dnf check-update --refresh 

4. You can install both the GUI app and the CLI, but you can’t run both at the same time. To install the GUI app, run:

sudo dnf install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop

To install the CLI, run:

sudo dnf install proton-vpn-cli

As part of the install process, you’ll be asked to accept an OpenPGP key. To do this when prompted, tap y <enter>.

• UserID : “Proton Technologies AG (Fedora 44) <opensource@proton.me>”
  Fingerprint: 6929133BDE1CE1CFA9EDB286D84176F6844830D4
  From : https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-44-stable/public_key.asc(new window)(new window)

Note: This fingerprint is only correct for the latest version of Fedora (v. 44). If you’re using an older version of Fedora, the fingerprint will be different.

How to enable the system tray icon (optional)

The system tray icon is only available while running the GUI app (not the CLI). By default, the GNOME desktop doesn’t support tray icons. To enable this functionality:

1. Run:

sudo dnf install libappindicator-gtk3 gnome-shell-extension-appindicator gnome-extensions-app

2. Restart your computer.

Once you’ve done this, open the Extensions app and ensure that AppIndicator and KStatusNotifierItem Support is toggled on before opening the app.

How to disable the kill switch if you have uninstalled Proton VPN

1. Identify the Proton VPN connection name with the command:

nmcli connection show --active

This will show a list of your system’s active connections.

2. Look for any connections that begin with 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

3. Re-run the following command to check that all Proton VPN connections have been removed:

nmcli connection show --active

If you see any Proton VPN connections left, delete them as described above.

How to use our beta Linux GUI app and CLI

The beta versions of our GUI app and CLI give you access to new features before they are released publicly, but they are still in development. By using the beta versions and sharing your feedback, you can help us find and address bugs. 

If you already have Proton VPN installed, simply open the GUI app and go to Settings and toggle the Beta access switch on.

If you haven’t installed the Linux app yet, you can either install the app and then enable beta access (as above). Or you can install the beta app directly.

To do this, open a terminal window and run the following commands:

wget "https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-$(cat /etc/fedora-release | cut -d' ' -f 3)-unstable/protonvpn-beta-release/protonvpn-beta-release-1.0.4-1.noarch.rpm"

sudo dnf install ./protonvpn-beta-release-1.0.4-1.noarch.rpm && sudo dnf check-update --refresh

sudo dnf install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop

Verify the following fingerprint: 6929133BDE1CE1CFA9EDB286D84176F6844830D4 (correct for Fedora 44 only).

A warning about using pip and PyPI

How to uninstall Proton VPN

Run:

sudo dnf remove proton-vpn-gnome-desktop protonvpn-*-release