How to set up Surfshark VPN on Linux Manjaro

In this tutorial, you will learn how to install the Surfshark OpenVPN client on your Manjaro device.

You will need a computer running the Linux Manjaro operating system and an active Surfshark subscription, which you can purchase on Surfshark's pricing page.

You will learn how to:

1. Get your credentials 
2. Choose a Surfshark server
3. Download Certificates
4. Install the Surfshark VPN
5. Connect to the VPN
6. Ensure your connection was successful

Get your credentials

NOTE: These are not your regular credentials, such as your email address and password.

1. Enter the Surfshark login page and log in. Then, click on VPN > Manual Setup. This is the page where all the details required for manual connection are stored.
   
   
2. Click Desktop or Mobile > OpenVPN. Proceed to the Credentials tab.
   
   NOTE: Keep this tab open as we'll need it for later.
   

Choose a Surfshark server

1. 1. Open the same page on another browser tab, go to the Locations tab, and locate the server that you wish to connect to.
      
      
   2. Download configuration files by clicking on the arrow pointing downwards next to your chosen location.
      
      
      
   3. Choose which file to download: UDP or TCP.
      
      These are 2 different VPN protocols. We recommend the UDP protocol because it tends to be faster, but feel free to find out more about Surfshark protocols and decide for yourself.
      

Download Certificates

1. Under the Locations tab, scroll to the very bottom of the page until you see CA&TLS certificates. Click on the Download button on the right side.
   
   
   
2. In the new pop-up, click on Save File and press OK.
   
   
   
3. Once downloaded, extract the two files onto your desktop.

Install the Surfshark VPN

1. Open the Terminal on your Manjaro device.
   
   
   
2. Enter the following command to install the Network Manager for the OpenVPN Client:
   

   pacman -Q networkmanager-openvpn

   
   If the Network Manager is already on your device, you will see the following command:
   

   networkmanager-openvpn 1.8.6-1 (the version number could be different depending on your system's version).

   
   If the Network Manager is not installed, run the following two commands:
   

   pacman -S networkmanager-openvpn systemctl restart networkmanager

   
   
3. Click the Networks icon on the bottom right corner of your screen, then click on VPN Connections, and Add a VPN connection.
   
   
   
4. In the new window, change the connection type to Import a saved VPN configuration and hit Create.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Navigate to the location where you have downloaded the configuration file (refer to Choose a Surfshark server section in this article) and hit on Open at the top-right corner.
   
   
   
6. Select the authentication type as Password.
   
   
   
7. Enter the Surfshark Service credentials (refer to Get your credentials section in this article) and click Save.
   
   
   

Connect to the VPN

1. Click the Network icon again, go to VPN connections. Click on the Surfshark VPN configuration to connect.
   
   
   
2. You will see a notification at the top-right corner of your desktop stating that your connection has been established successfully.
   
   

Ensure the connection is successful

We always recommend checking if Surfshark VPN is working after setting it up for the first time. You can easily do it by performing Surfshark IP leak test and a DNS leak test. For your convenience, both are available on our website.

You may also be interested in:

• How to make sure if Surfshark VPN is working
• How to configure custom DNS on a Linux device
• Linux unstable connection troubleshooting