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This tutorial will show you how to set up the ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux.

ExpressVPN is compatible with these Linux operating systems:

  • Ubuntu: 20.04 and above
  • Debian: 10 and above
  • Fedora: 38 and above
  • Arch: Latest rolling release
  • Raspberry Pi (armhf): Pi OS 10 and above
  • Mint: Linux Mint 20 and above
Important: ExpressVPN does not officially support any distro not listed above. If your distro is not based on any of the above operating systems, you can still set up and use ExpressVPN on it by following this tutorial. However, ExpressVPN will not provide fixes for any issues on these distros.

If you prefer to control the ExpressVPN Linux app with a command line interface (CLI) via the Terminal, follow this guide.

Jump to…

Download the installer
Install and activate the app
Connect to a VPN server location
Disconnect from a VPN server location
Choose a different VPN server location
Switch to a different VPN protocol
Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites
Launch and connect to ExpressVPN on startup
Use split tunneling
Advanced kill switch
Use the auto-connect feature
Change languages in the app
Uninstall the app

Download the installer

  1. Go to the ExpressVPN setup page. If prompted, enter your ExpressVPN credentials and click Sign In.
  2. Enter the verification code that is sent to your email.
  3. On the right, select Download Universal Installer. Note that the ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux only supports 64-bit operating systems.
  4. Click Download.
  5. Select Save File. Click OK.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Install and activate the app

To install the app:

  1. Open the Terminal.
  2. Locate the installer you just downloaded and run the command:
    <cd Downloads>
  3. Run the installer using the command:
    <sh [installer filename]>
  4. Enter your Linux device password to continue with the installation.
  5. Once installation is complete, the app will launch automatically.
  6. You can then sign in via one of three options:
    • Activation code
    • Your ExpressVPN account email and password
    • Sign-in link

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a VPN server location

To connect to a VPN server location:

  1. Open the ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux.
  2. Click On button.. By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the optimal experience for you, called Smart Location.
  3. Once you see the Connected message on the app screen, you can begin surfing with freedom and security!

Note: With a single ExpressVPN subscription, you can connect to the VPN on up to eight different devices at the same time, regardless of platform.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from a VPN server location:

  1. Click On button. to disconnect from the server location.
  2. You will know you are disconnected when the screen says, Not Connected.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a different VPN server location

To connect to a specific VPN server location:

  1. Click >.
  2. A list of server locations will appear. Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find a specific location.
  3. Click on your desired server location.
  4. Click On button. to connect to your chosen server location.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Switch to a different VPN protocol

Important: Disconnect from the VPN before switching to another protocol.

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server. For the best experience, ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol option. This is selected by default and automatically picks the protocol most appropriate for your network.

In some cases, switching to a different protocol can give you faster connection speeds.

To switch to a different VPN protocol:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click VPN Settings.
  3. Click the protocol you want to use.

Learn more about using advanced options for Lightway, the VPN protocol we built from the ground up.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites

Customize your online experience and take back control over what companies know about you. You can block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content from within the ExpressVPN app.

A lot of the apps and websites you visit keep a record of and share your activity with third-party companies, including trackers, scammers, and malware sites. This information is used to serve you more targeted ads and content, usually without your knowledge or permission.

These advanced protection features prevent all apps and websites you visit on your device from communicating with the third-party companies in our open-source blocklists.

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable advanced protection features:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click Privacy and security tools.
  3. Check the boxes for the advanced protection features you wish to enable.

Read more about ExpressVPN’s advanced protection features.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Launch and connect to ExpressVPN on startup

You can configure whether ExpressVPN automatically launches and connects after your Linux starts up. To do so:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click General.
  3. Check the boxes for Launch on system startup and Connect on launch.

To disable:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click General.
  3. Uncheck the boxes for Launch on system startup and Connect on launch.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Use split tunneling

Split tunneling lets you exclude some apps from ExpressVPN, so that they connect to the internet directly.

To change your split-tunnel settings:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click Split Tunnel.
  3. Check the box for Split tunneling settings to enable split tunneling.

From there, you can adjust your split tunneling settings. Expand the list below to learn more about each settings option:

Add Apps

  1. Click + Add App.
  2. Find and click on the app you want to add.
  3. Click Open.
  4. Click the dropdown next to the app you just added.
  5. Choose either Bypass VPN or Only VPN.

Add IP Address

  1. Click + Add IP Address.
  2. Enter an IPv4/IPv6 address or a subnet in CIDR notation.
  3. Click OK.
  4. Click the dropdown next to the IP address or subnet you just added.
  5. Choose either Bypass VPN or Only VPN.

All Other Apps

This option enables you to decide the split tunneling rules for all the other apps on your device.

To adjust the settings for other apps:

  1. Click the dropdown menu next to All Other Apps.
  2. Choose either Bypass VPN or Use VPN.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Advanced kill switch

The ExpressVPN app for Linux includes an advanced kill switch. When enabled, this advanced kill switch prevents data leaks even when the VPN is off. All internet traffic is blocked unless the VPN is active.

In the ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux, the advanced kill switch is indicated by a checkbox for Enable at all times (always blocks your internet unless you’re connected to the VPN):

  • When checked: All your internet traffic is blocked unless you’re connected to the VPN. This offers an extra layer of security to protect your data.
  • When unchecked: The kill switch works as normal, only blocking internet traffic if your active VPN connection unexpectedly drops.

To adjust the settings of the advanced kill switch:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click Privacy and security tools.
  3. Under Network Lock (kill switch), check/uncheck Enable at all times.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Use the auto-connect feature

You can set the ExpressVPN app to automatically connect to your last connected location on start-up. You can use this feature to set automation rules when using different network types.

To enable auto-connect:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click Auto-connect.
  3. Check the box for Auto-connect settings.
  4. Click + Add Setting.
  5. From here, you can choose when the VPN automatically connects and disconnects. You can choose from the following options:
    • When I join a secure Wi-Fi network…
    • When I join an unsecured Wi-Fi network…
    • When I’m using Ethernet…
    • The Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to
  6. Select either:
    • Connect to VPN
    • Disconnect from VPN
  7. Click Save.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Change languages in the app

The ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux is available in 17 languages.

To change languages in the app:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click General.
  3. Click Language and select the language you want to use. The language of the app will change immediately.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Uninstall the app

To uninstall the ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux:

  1. Click More icon. > Settings.
  2. Click Help.
  3. Click Uninstall ExpressVPN.
  4. The Terminal will open. Type y to proceed with uninstalling the app.
  5. Enter your Linux device’s password.
  6. Once uninstalled, press any key to continue.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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