How to install Proton VPN on Fedora

Reading: 4 mins
Category: Linux

In this article, we describe how to use the Proton VPN for Linux app on your Fedora system. Our app officially supports the latest stable Fedora version running the GNOME desktop environment.

Download the repository configuration and keys required to install the Proton VPN app. Enter:

1. Download the package. Enter:

wget "https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-$(cat /etc/fedora-release | cut -d' ' -f 3)-stable/protonvpn-stable-release/protonvpn-stable-release-1.0.1-2.noarch.rpm"

2. Install the Proton VPN repository containing the new app. Run:

sudo dnf install ./protonvpn-stable-release-1.0.1-2.noarch.rpm

3. If you’re running the old (v3) Proton VPN app or CLI (stable or beta versions), simply run:

sudo dnf check-update && sudo dnf upgrade

If you don’t have Proton VPN installed, run:

sudo dnf install --refresh proton-vpn-gnome-desktop

As part of the install process, you’ll be asked to accept two GPG keys. To do this when promoted, tap y <enter>.

Importing GPG key 0x19940E11: Userid : "Proton Technologies AG <opensource@proton.me>" Fingerprint: A884 41BD 4864 F95B EE08 E63A 71EB 4740 1994 0E11 From : https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-39-stable/public_key.asc(new window) Is this ok [y/N]: y 
Importing GPG key 0xF43719CA: Userid : "Proton Technologies AG <opensource@proton.me>" Fingerprint: 9E72 DFDF 2AF0 19F0 CCFC 68F3 8DD4 8989 F437 19CA From : https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-39-stable/public_key.asc(new window) Is this ok [y/N]: y

To check for updates and ensure that you’re running the latest version of the app, enter:

sudo dnf check-update && sudo dnf upgrade

System tray icon (optional)

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.

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

A warning about using pip and PyPI(new window)

Notes

1. How to remove the official Linux app

To uninstall the new Linux app, open a terminal and enter:

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

2. How to remove the old (v3) Proton VPN app

To uninstall our old (v3) Linux app, open a terminal and enter:

sudo dnf remove protonvpn -y; sudo dnf autoremove -y; sudo dnf clean packages

Check if all Proton VPN packages are uninstalled:

dnf/yum list installed | grep proton

Check if any Proton VPN folders remain on your system:

ls -ld /usr/lib/python3.*/site-packages/proton*

If any folders are found then remove them using:

sudo rm -rf /usr/lib/python3.*/site-packages/proton*

Check again that all folders are removed (see last step above).

3. How to disable the kill switch after you have uninstalled the app

You can easily turn off the kill switch inside our Linux app, but this isn’t possible if you have already uninstalled it. In this case, you can remove the kill switch and restore access to the internet as follows:

a) Identify Proton VPN connection names by running the command:

nmcli connection show --active

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

b) Look for any connections with the 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) 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.

4. 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.

If you already have the Linux app installed, to enable beta access, simply open the 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 by opening a terminal window and:

1. Download the beta package. Enter:

wget "https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-$(cat /etc/fedora-release | cut -d' ' -f 3)-unstable/protonvpn-beta-release/protonvpn-beta-release-1.0.1-2.noarch.rpm"

2. Install the Proton VPN beta repository containing the new app. Run:

sudo dnf install ./protonvpn-beta-release-1.0.1-2.noarch.rpm