# How do I install and use VilaNet on Linux?

Download the AppImage for your computer, make it executable, sign in, and use
VilaNet's one-time **Install for TUN Mode** flow to enable a full system-level
VPN connection.

The VilaNet 2.12.82 packages, shared app labels, architecture requirements and
AppImage TUN installation flow have been checked against the current release
and application source. The desktop prompts and a real VPN tunnel still require
final verification on clean AMD64 and ARM64 Ubuntu systems before publication.

## Before you start

VilaNet's current official Linux builds support:

- **AMD64 / x86_64:** Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later; and
- **ARM64 / aarch64:** Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or later.

You also need an active VilaVPN account and administrator access for the
one-time TUN setup.

To check your architecture, open Terminal and run:

```bash
uname -m
```

- `x86_64` means download the **AMD64** build.
- `aarch64` or `arm64` means download the **ARM64** build.

## 1. Download the AppImage

The AppImage is the preferred starting package because it does not require a
traditional package installation.

- **AMD64:** [Download VilaNet 2.12.82 AppImage for AMD64](https://github.com/vilavpn/vilanet/releases/download/v2.12.82/VilaNet-for-Linux-AMD64-2.12.82.AppImage)
- **ARM64:** [Download VilaNet 2.12.82 AppImage for ARM64](https://github.com/vilavpn/vilanet/releases/download/v2.12.82/VilaNet-for-Linux-ARM64-2.12.82.AppImage)

You can also reach both packages through the
[VilaVPN downloads page](https://vilavpn.com/index.php?rp=/download) or verify
them on the
[public VilaNet 2.12.82 release page](https://github.com/vilavpn/vilanet/releases/tag/v2.12.82).

Do not run a copy received through an unsolicited message or an unofficial
download site.

## 2. Start VilaNet

1. Open Terminal.
2. Change to your Downloads directory:

   ```bash
   cd ~/Downloads
   ```

3. Make the downloaded AppImage executable. Use the command matching your
   computer:

   ```bash
   chmod +x VilaNet-for-Linux-AMD64-2.12.82.AppImage
   ```

   or:

   ```bash
   chmod +x VilaNet-for-Linux-ARM64-2.12.82.AppImage
   ```

4. Start VilaNet with the matching command:

   ```bash
   ./VilaNet-for-Linux-AMD64-2.12.82.AppImage
   ```

   or:

   ```bash
   ./VilaNet-for-Linux-ARM64-2.12.82.AppImage
   ```

The AppImage can initially use proxy mode. Complete the one-time TUN setup
below if you want VilaNet to route full device traffic through a system-level
VPN interface.

## 3. Sign in

1. Open VilaNet.
2. Review the linked EULA and Privacy Policy.
3. If the consent checkbox is not already selected, select it and review the
   minimal-data consent message.
4. Select **Allow** if you agree and want to continue.
5. Enter your VilaVPN account email under **E-mail**.
6. Enter your account password under **Password**.
7. Select **Login**.

VilaNet should open the main screen. An expired or inactive package must be
renewed before it can connect.

## 4. Install TUN support

An AppImage runs from a read-only mounted image, so VilaNet first copies its
runtime to a writable directory under `~/.local/share/VilaNet`. It then asks
for administrator permission to grant the installed runtime the Linux network
capability it needs and restarts from that installed copy.

1. In VilaNet, open **Settings**.
2. Open **Linux Settings**.
3. Read the **Running from AppImage** information panel, then select
   **Install for TUN Mode**. Selecting **TUN Mode** under **Connection Mode**
   starts the same installation when the local runtime is not ready.
4. When Ubuntu asks for administrator authentication, verify that the request
   belongs to VilaNet's TUN installation, then enter your system password.
5. Wait while VilaNet installs the local runtime and restarts. Do not close the
   password prompt or launch a second copy during this step.
6. After restart, confirm **TUN Mode** is selected. The installed VilaNet entry
   is also added to your desktop application menu.

This is separate from your VilaVPN password: the administrator prompt expects
the password for your Linux user account.

## 5. Choose a server and connect

The connection controls are shared with the other VilaNet apps.

1. Open **Server Nodes**.
2. Choose **Auto Select** for the fastest available server, unless you need a
   specific location.
3. Return to the main screen.
4. Select **Connect**.
5. Wait for **Connecting** to change to **Connected**.

If VilaNet asks for administrator permission at this point, finish the TUN
installation steps above and allow the app to restart before connecting again.

## 6. Confirm that it works

1. Leave VilaNet open for a few seconds and confirm it remains **Connected**.
2. Open a browser and load two familiar HTTPS websites.
3. Return to VilaNet and confirm it still shows **Connected**.

The app status and working web traffic together are a stronger check than an
IP-check website alone. See
[Confirm VilaVPN is working](/en/start-here/confirm-vilavpn-is-working/) for
the complete verification steps.

## If something goes wrong

### The AppImage does not start

- Confirm you downloaded the build matching `uname -m`.
- Run the AppImage from Terminal so you can preserve the exact error.
- Confirm the executable bit is set with `chmod +x`.
- Confirm the system meets the Ubuntu version requirement above.
- Download a fresh copy from an official link if the file is incomplete.

### The administrator prompt does not appear

VilaNet uses a graphical password helper for one-time TUN elevation. On Ubuntu,
install the preferred helper and try **Install for TUN Mode** again:

```bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install zenity
```

If elevation is cancelled or fails, VilaNet does not complete TUN setup. Keep
using proxy mode temporarily or preserve the error and contact support.

### TUN mode does not work after restart

- Open **Settings > Linux Settings** and confirm **TUN Mode** is selected.
- Launch VilaNet from the desktop application menu so it uses the installed
  writable runtime, rather than starting the original AppImage again.
- Record any message mentioning `CAP_NET_ADMIN`, elevation, DNS or the TUN
  device.
- Do not repeatedly run the whole app with `sudo`; preserve diagnostics and
  contact support instead.

### Login or connection fails

- Confirm the email address has no extra spaces and the subscription is active.
- Confirm ordinary internet access works while VilaNet is disconnected.
- Try **Auto Select** once.
- Record the exact error and preserve diagnostics before changing advanced
  settings or reinstalling.
- Continue to [Cannot sign in](/en/troubleshooting/cannot-sign-in/) or
  [Cannot connect](/en/troubleshooting/cannot-connect/).

## Next step

Learn [how to choose a specific server](/en/common-tasks/choose-a-server/), or
keep **Auto Select** enabled for normal use.