Need help setting up manual OpenVPN settings. Can’t find any decent step-by-step. Using ExpressVPN. Have username/password, activation code. Prompted to download ovpn files. I don’t know what exactly to do. Stumped. Help?
What prompted you to download an ovpn file because the inbuilt OpenVPN client can’t use them?
You need to get a working ovpn file wjhich contains keys and certificates. Which every android client read out of the box btw. Then you hve to create an onc config file, recombine the keys with openssl and some other stuff. You can try your luck here https://docs.google.com/document/d/18TU22gueH5OKYHZVJ5nXuqHnk2GN6nDvfu2Hbrb4YLE/pub
I went into that rabbit hole, got n onc file and could connect but i couldn’t get any traffic through. So i gave up and used an android client.
I know you said you don’t to install Play Store, but the Android OpenVPN client just works… and provides VPN services for chromeos, Android, Crostini & Crouton.
Express VPN used to have instructions on their own website for manual configuration on Chrome OS, but it was well buried deep in the bowels of the site.
If you can’t find it ask Express support and they’ll give you the link, or forward you a copy of the instructions.
I will also add you are far better using the Express VPN Android app on Chrome OS than a manually configured setup. You’ll experience near 100% reliability using their app, whereas you will experience regular enough pauses/dropouts or failures when connecting using a manually configured setup.
Been using Express VPN for 4+ years on Chrome OS, and their android app is definitely the way you need to go.
Hi folks. I’m really just trying to test it out. I don’t want to re-install Play Store. I also don’t want to hotspot from my phone. Any help is appreciated?
Hi magick, thanks for your reply. And, I have now seen the thread you created.
My wording wasn’t right due to my lack of understanding. I wasn’t prompted to download a file per se. I was on ExpressVPN’s page for manual configuration of openvpn settings where they list all of the servers, and if you click on them it will download the corresponding ovpn file. So, no I was not prompted. I was then looking at that files contents trying to decypher what information I needed to use.
I now understand that it’s not as simple as that and there are several steps involved. Thanks for posting that Google Doc. That’s exactly what I need to do to get started.
I was hoping to try to have this set up for a small trip I was about to take but I think I’m going to hotspot off my phones connection while I try to figure it out. And, I may never figure it out. Rabbit hole like you said.
I know mate. What can I say? I’m a sucker for punishment. I also gain a lot of satisfaction doing it the hard way.
Thanks for your reply Motor. I was able to find the manual configuration pages.
ExpressVPN only seems to offer manual instructions using L2TP/IPsec and not OpenVPN.
I was concerned when I read the following on their webpage:
L2TP/IPsec provide weak security benefits and should only be used for anonymization or for changing locations.
This is why I thought it would be prudent to stick with OpenVPN.
For OpenVPN protocol they refer you to download the Android app.
I think I kind of understand guys. I’m going to start here:
https://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/how-tos-and-troubleshooting/openvpn-manual-setup
and here:
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1282338?hl=en#zippy=%2Copenvpn-support
See the positive side. Even if you shouldn’t succeed you’ll learn a lot on the way.
Yeah, as mentioned in my earlier comment their Android app is the best way to go on Chrome OS. It’s a cliche, but - it just works!
Enabling the Play Store and installing just one android app isn’t going to have any performance hit on your machine. I’d strongly recommend it, just for the convenience and reliability.
That’s why I love computers. There always seems to be a new challenge to take on. 