If you are using Bazzite OS and want to install a VPN there are a couple of different options available. You can open the Bazzar and install a VPN client from there, if they have a flatpack version of one that you want. Or you can manually install one using a conf file from your providers website using WireGuard. Which is what this guide is going to show you how to do, because it's one of the easiest methods available. Especially if your particular VPN provider doesn't have an app on the Bazaar.
Takeaways:
- Learn how to set up a WireGuard VPN connection on Bazzite.
- What's the easiest way to set up a VPN connection on Bazzite OS?
Table of Contents
First Check Your Desktop Environment
If you don't remember what you are using, either GNOME or KDE Plasma, you can check your current desktop environment using the terminal. Run:
echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
The output will indicate which desktop environment is active. Use the appropriate instructions from this guide based on that information.
How to Set up a WireGuard VPN connection on Bazzite OS
Bazzite OS uses an immutable filesystem, so install with rpm-ostree:
sudo rpm-ostree install wireguard-tools
Reboot afterward:
sudo systemctl reboot
This will make sure that the wg and wg-quick tools are available.
Note: If you install a flatpack VPN client like Proton VPN from the Bazzar it will also install Wireguard on your system as well so if the above command doesn't work for you, you can install the Proton VPN tool to get Wireguard support, even if you don't intend to us it.
Download a WireGuard conf file from your VPN Provider
Once you know what your system is you can set up a WireGuard VPN conf file with all the details that you want. Remember to enable Port Forwarding i you plan on doing and P2P stuff and remember to choose a server location that actually allows it as well. A lot of providers do not offer either of these, so keep that in mind as well.
When you have downloaded your conf file, you can use either of the options below to set everything up.
GNOME: Using Settings
GNOME integrates WireGuard via NetworkManager:
- Open Settings > Network > VPN.
- Click + and select Import from file.
- Choose your wg0.conf file.
- Enable Connect automatically if you want that.
- Toggle the VPN on.
You can verify the connection in terminal:
wg show
KDE Plasma: Using NetworkManager
KDE Plasma uses plasma-nm, which also supports WireGuard:
- Click the Network icon in the system tray.
- Select VPN > Configure VPN > Import from file.
- Choose your wg0.conf.
- Enable Connect automatically or connect manually.
Check the connection with:
wg show
