Hey there Proton community! I wanted to know the best and easiest way to get ProtonVPN working on the Steam Deck. I have very little knowledge of Linux, so I’m looking for someone to help me.

Edit: thanks for the tips guys!

  • cosmic_cowboy@reddthat.comEnglish
    12·
    6 months ago

    You can download it directly from the software center by going into desktop mode! It runs like it normally would on any desktop, although you either need to enter desktop mode after restarts/power off to ensure its on. Feel free to send a message if you need help!

    • dneaves@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      There is some way to get things going on startup on Steamdeck, even in Steam-mode (Big Picture mode? Not-desktop mode?). I had to do it for Syncthing, I just don’t remember exactly what I did. I probably made a service file if I had to take a guess, but I think an “@reboot” cron job might work too

    • GregorGizeh@lemmy.zipEnglish
      5·
      6 months ago

      I am also very new to Linux (on a PC, but with a distro that also relies mostly on flatpaks for its software selection). Could you explain what makes them un- or less trustworthy? Or alternatively recommend a link to read? I know next to nothing about the different software distribution methods used on Linux.

      • piracysails@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        6 months ago

        Steam is immutable (you cannot change the system, think something like Android) you download apps that have somewhat isolation with the flatpak format which is open source.

        On normal systems the packages are installed through a package manager from repos that the OS is hosting, usually. Most people prefer this way as flatpaks may not have all the necessary rights to run the apps completely as expected out of the box. (Firefox did not stop the screen from going to sleep for me when I was watching videos and permission changes made the app unable to start.) That was my experience.

        There is also snap which pretty much gets all the hate in the world and the only good think that I have heard about is the seamless installation and updates for nextcloud. IIRC the server is not open source and is linked to canonical.

        Also, they made the Firefox packages only available as snap on Ubuntu which you cannot expect anyone to like since they also removed the choice. (Apt install Firefox which is the package manager still installed the snap package)

        The proton app, I supposed, it’s not trusted because it is not published on flathub.org by proton themselves. Which is fair to assume something like that, but the app is widely used so one can assume that is safe. I however, like to stay on the safe side.

        On steam OS it would be best to install apps from the default source to avoid any issues. Also note, that VPNs may not be welcome on some online games.

        That is it from me. Please note that I am just a casual user and an internet stranger, take any advise regarding your OS with a grain of salt. Especially if someone suggests to run commands on the terminal. :)

  • harsh3466@lemmy.mlEnglish
    2·
    6 months ago

    Can you access the command line and install wireguard? If so you can pretty easily set up and connect to proton vpn without needing the proton von app.

    • Neilia_1@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      6 months ago

      Not a huge fan of having to use the command line, but if I get the instructions, I can give it a shot.

    • timepencil@mastodon.social
      23·
      6 months ago

      @harsh3466 @Neilia_1
      Proton has released Von App?

      Well, it was bound to happen.

      If a bunch of scientists and coders get together where the world’s largest and expensive man-made ring (the LHC) was forged deep underground, it was only a matter of time before Tolkein’s writing started to influence the decisions made by Proton.

      Von App to rule them all,
      Von App to find them,
      Von App to bring them all
      and in the darkness bind them.

  • Deconceptualist@lemm.eeEnglish
    2·
    6 months ago

    If you have a browser installed, the extension is probably the easiest way to get ProtonVPN. That is, assuming you just want it for the web.

  • alecto@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    5 months ago

    SteamOS natively supports WireGuard - so you can generate a WireGuard configuration for ProtonVPN on the web and configure it in system settings > network > connections > add new connection.