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-39-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 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 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.
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. Required dependencies
You’ll need one of the following dependencies installed for the Proton VPN app to work (do not install both as this will cause problems):
- KWallet
- Gnome-keyring
Most Fedora Spins have one of them installed by default, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to take further action. Also required is:
- Systemd
But again, on most Fedora Spins, this is pre-installed.
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.
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/fedora-39-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
3. If you’re running the old (v3) Proton VPN app or CLI (stable or beta versions), simply run:
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
If you don’t have Proton VPN installed, run:
sudo dnf install --refresh proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
To check for updates and ensure that you’re running the latest version of the app, enter:
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
How to remove the beta Linux app
To uninstall the new Linux app, open a terminal and enter:
sudo dnf remove "protonvpn*" proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
