How to set up and use the ExpressVPN GUI app for Linux

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

ExpressVPN is compatible with these Linux operating systems:

• Ubuntu: 24.04 and above
• Debian: 10 and above
• Fedora: 30 and above
• Arch: Latest rolling release
• Raspberry Pi: Pi OS (64-bit)
• Mint: Linux Mint 20 and above

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

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.

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. Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the installer.
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. Click Sign In.
7. You can then sign in via one of two options:
   • Sign in with an Email Sign-In Link
     1. Click Sign In with Email Sign-In Link.
     2. Enter the email address associated with your ExpressVPN account. Click Email My Sign-In Link.
     3. Open the email on any device and select Sign In to ExpressVPN. The app will be activated automatically and sign you in.
   • Sign in with Your Password
     1. Click Sign in with Your Password.
     2. Enter your ExpressVPN account Email and Password, then click Sign In.
8. Once signed in, your device will ask your permission to set up the VPN. Click Continue.
9. You will be asked if you want the app to launch automatically on startup. Select your preference to continue.
10. You will be asked whether you want to share anonymous diagnostics with ExpressVPN. This helps ExpressVPN continually improve its products and services. Select your preference to continue.
11. If Advanced Protection is part of your subscription, you will be asked if you want to block display ads and enable additional safeguards. Select your preference to continue.

You have successfully set up ExpressVPN on your Linux machine. You are now ready to access our many VPN server locations.

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 . 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: The number of devices you can connect to the VPN at the same time depends on the subscription tier you chose at checkout:

• Basic: 10 devices at the same time.
• Advanced: 12 devices at the same time.
• Pro: 14 devices at the same time.

If you try to connect more devices than your subscription tier allows at once, you will need to either disconnect one of your fourteen devices from the VPN or purchase an additional subscription.

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 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 > next to Selected Location to access the list of VPN locations.
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 and ExpressVPN will automatically connect you to your selected server location.

The Recommended tab includes four sections:

• Fastest Servers: a list of up to five of the fastest servers based on your current location.
• Recent Locations: a list of up to five of the most recent server locations you have connected to.
• Favorites: server locations you have marked as your favorites. You can add up to 10 server locations.
• Most Popular in Your Country: the server locations most often used by other ExpressVPN users in your country.

How to add locations to your Favorites

To add server locations to your Favorites, click next to the server location name.

The All Locations tab lists the VPN server locations by region.

You can sort the locations by either Name or number of Endpoints.

You can also search for your desired server location by using the search bar. Inside the search bar, type the name of your desired server location and then click the server location in the search results to connect to it.

After disconnecting from a server location you selected, you can return to your Smart Location (the location recommended for optimal experience) by clicking Smart Location. 

You can also connect to the server location you most recently connected to by clicking Recent Location.

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

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Switch to a different VPN 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. On the VPN tab, click VPN Protocol.
2. Click the protocol you want to use.
   • If connecting to a protocol other than Automatic, you will see a pop-up asking if you are sure. Click Change Anyway to continue.

Note: When Advanced Protection features are turned on, only Automatic or Lightway protocols are available.

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 the Add-ons tab.
2. Under Advanced Protection, toggle on/off the features to fit your needs.
3. Reconnect to the VPN to apply the changes.

Read more about ExpressVPN’s advanced protection features.

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

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Speed test

You can run a speed test within the ExpressVPN. Here you can compare the speed of your current VPN location versus the speed of your internet service provider (ISP).

To run a speed test:

1. Click the Speed Test tab.
2. Click the Play button to start the speed test. You will get the results after a few minutes.

You can find more information about ExpressVPN’s speed test here.

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 Profile.
2. Under Settings, toggle Launch ExpressVPN on Startup and Connect on Launch on. You might need to scroll down to find them.

To disable:

1. Click Profile.
2. Under Settings, toggle Launch ExpressVPN on Startup and Connect on Launch off.

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 Profile.
2. Click Split tunneling.
3. Toggle Enable Split Ttunneling on.

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

Note: The standard kill switch is enabled by default.

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:

• 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 Profile.
2. Under Settings, click Internet Kill Switch.
3. Click Enable at all times to toggle the advanced kill switch on/off.

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 Profile.
2. Click Auto-connect.
3. Click Enable Auto-connect.
4. Once enabled, 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
6. Select either:
   • Connect to VPN
   • Disconnect from VPN
7. Click Confirm.

To delete an auto-connect setting, click the Trash icon next to the auto-connect setting you wish to delete.

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 Profile.
2. Click the dropdown menu next to Language and select your language of choice.
3. Click Change Language.

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

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Change app appearance

You can change the color scheme of the app to tailor it to your personal preference.

To change the color scheme of the ExpressVPN app:

1. On the VPN tab, click the color palette icon.
2. Under Color scheme, click the theme you want to use. The app color scheme 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 Profile.
2. Scroll down to Actions and click Uninstall ExpressVPN.
3. The Terminal will open. Type y to proceed with uninstalling the app.
4. Enter your Linux device’s password.
5. Once uninstalled, press any key to continue.

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

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