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ForestVPN for Debian, Ubuntu

Install ForestVPN on Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Pop!_OS from a signed apt repository, or download the .deb.

Get it

Get it

amd64 .debarm64 .deb

Current version 1.1.15.

Links that always point at the newest release, for scripts and bookmarks — no version in the URL, so they never go stale: amd64 .deb · arm64 .deb

Requirements

Requirements

Distributions
Ubuntu 22.04 or later, Debian 12 or later, Linux Mint 21 or later, Pop!_OS 22.04 or later.
Processor
amd64 or arm64.
Package manager
apt, with sudo rights.
Install

Install

  1. 01

    Add the signing key and the repository

    The repository is signed with the same key our servers trust, and apt refuses an unsigned repository. The first command fetches the key.

  2. 02

    Install

    Run sudo apt update && sudo apt install forestvpn.

  3. 03

    Open ForestVPN

    Start it from your applications menu. Updates arrive with apt upgrade.

apt — Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS
curl -fsSL https://apt.fvpn.net/forestvpn-archive-keyring.gpg \
  | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/forestvpn-archive-keyring.gpg > /dev/null

# /etc/apt/sources.list.d/forestvpn.sources
Types: deb
URIs: https://apt.fvpn.net
Suites: stable
Components: main
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/forestvpn-archive-keyring.gpg

sudo apt update && sudo apt install forestvpn

If the network stays blocked

sudo systemctl stop fvpn first — it's the running service that keeps reapplying the block, so stopping it opens the network immediately. Then sudo fvpnctl firewall reset clears the nftables tables it leaves behind. Both work with no service running.

If our main domain is blocked where you are

Everything above is mirrored on Amazon S3, byte for byte and signed by the same key. Use these addresses instead — the direct downloads each carry a mirror link beside them.

If our main domain is blocked where you are
# apt: same as above, with this URI instead
URIs: https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/fvpn-apt

# dnf
sudo dnf config-manager addrepo --from-repofile=https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/fvpn-rpm/forestvpn.repo
First run

First run

  1. 01

    Press Connect

    Open ForestVPN and press Connect. Free needs no sign-up, no email and no password.

  2. 02

    Choose a location

    Pick where you want to appear from the location list. Premium unlocks more of it.

  3. 03

    Use the same Premium elsewhere

    On another device, enter your account number to sign in. Restore on a new device explains it.

What works on Debian, Ubuntu

What works on Debian, Ubuntu

Kill switch
nftables rules block traffic outside the tunnel while ForestVPN is connected. It is not absolute.
Split tunneling
Choose which apps skip the VPN.
systemd service
The tunnel runs as a system service, started and stopped by the app.

Not on Linux: Siri, Shortcuts and Control Center. They are Apple features.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

What's new on Debian, Ubuntu

What's new on Debian, Ubuntu

1.1.15

  • Switching to a location you haven't used before no longer fails when the network drops out for a moment. It tries once more.

1.1.14

  • Fixes a case where ForestVPN said connected but IPv4 sites would not load while your private network was on.
  • Get a pay code under Account so someone else can pay for your Premium without ever seeing your account number. You can also change your account number there, and Help can give you a support code to share with support.
  • The backup route is now explained on Account and Connect, with a note when your backup-route data is running low or used up.
  • On small screens the app scrolls, and its window never opens larger than the screen.

1.1.12

  • See every device on your account with its private-network name and address, and rename or remove them.
  • See how much backup-route data you have left.

All release notes

Updates

Updates

Updates arrive with the rest of your system: apt upgrade or dnf upgrade. The app never updates itself on Linux, and Settings says so rather than checking on its own.

Read the changelog

Verify your download

Verify your download

Check the SHA-256 of what you downloaded against SHA256SUMS, and check that file against its signature SHA256SUMS.asc.

Signing key fingerprint
826C FFED B70C E81E 2439 9223 A9D7 CDF8 40F6 A71C
Uninstall

Uninstall

Run sudo apt remove forestvpn. This removes the service. To delete your account too, see Delete your account.

Guides for Debian, Ubuntu

Guides for Debian, Ubuntu

Questions

Is it free?
Yes to start. The Free plan allows 2 GB per connection and 5 connections a day, with no sign-up. Premium is optional and bought through the App Store, Google Play or on the web.
Do I have to add the repository?
No. The direct .deb works too, but then you update by downloading the next one yourself.
Can I install the .deb with apt?
Yes: `sudo apt install ./forestvpn_amd64.deb` installs a downloaded file and resolves its dependencies.
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