# Using Meshnet on Linux

## Before you begin <a href="#before-you-begin" id="before-you-begin"></a>

Verify that you have [NordVPN installed](https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/20196094470929-Installing-NordVPN-on-Linux-distributions) on your device.

Meshnet is available for these Linux distributions:

* **Ubuntu** (Linux Mint)
* **Debian** (Raspberry Pi OS, Kali Linux)
* **Fedora** (CentOS, RHEL)
* **SUSE** (openSUSE)

## Enable Meshnet on Linux <a href="#enable-meshnet-on-linux" id="enable-meshnet-on-linux"></a>

Complete the following steps to turn on Meshnet on your device:

1. Open **Terminal**.
2. Type in the following command and press **Enter**:&#x20;

   <pre class="language-bash" data-overflow="wrap"><code class="lang-bash">nordvpn set meshnet on
   </code></pre>

You should now see a message confirming that you've enabled Meshnet:&#x20;

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FN9QNugdzP23RbKvQmoc9%2Flinux_enable_meshnet.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7d4e4655-d824-4390-9df3-2cf16a7f1738" alt="Displaying the &#x27;nordvpn set meshnet on&#x27; command in the terminal."><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

When connected to Meshnet, your device is assigned a unique Nord name and a Meshnet IP address, both of which you can use to access the device from other linked devices.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

Nord names are unique, automatically assigned host names for all devices in Meshnet.

The format is `<username>-<mountain>.nord`, where `<username>` is the username of your Nord Account email address and `<mountain>` is the name of a mountain or mountain range. For example, `secret.meerkat-altai.nord`.

Additionally, you can [rename devices](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/renaming-devices/linux) with custom nicknames for more convenient device management.
{% endhint %}

## Add devices to Meshnet <a href="#add-your-devices-to-meshnet" id="add-your-devices-to-meshnet"></a>

You can add devices to your Meshnet in two ways, depending on whether the device is your own or belongs to another NordVPN user.

### Add your own devices

To add more devices to your Meshnet, just install the NordVPN app on the devices you want to connect, log in with your account, and enable Meshnet. They will connect automatically.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**

Meshnet allows you to add up to 10 devices that use the same NordVPN account.
{% endhint %}

### Add trusted external devices

To add a device owned by another NordVPN user, send an invitation through the NordVPN app specifying their email address. As soon as they accept the invitation in their NordVPN app, their device becomes part of your Meshnet.

For detailed guidance on adding external devices, refer to [Adding external Meshnet devices on Linux.](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/linking-devices-in-meshnet/adding-external-meshnet-devices-on-linux)

## Manage devices

To view a list of your Meshnet devices, run the following command:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
nordvpn meshnet peer list
```

{% endcode %}

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F9xzQhhC7gIiNY5akJRPJ%2Flinux_peer_list.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0474fa1b-1745-46fc-a1de-6aacf87e6140" alt="Terminal window showing the output of the &#x27;nordvpn meshnet peer list&#x27; command."><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Unlink devices <a href="#remove-your-device-from-meshnet" id="remove-your-device-from-meshnet"></a>

To unlink a peer device from your Meshnet, enter the following command, where `<device>` is the device’s Nord name or Meshnet IP address:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
nordvpn meshnet peer remove <device>
```

{% endcode %}

**Example**

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FqdrVO8Xo4LkUnUAWjDdT%2Flinux_unlink_device.png?alt=media&#x26;token=26f5a9d9-6494-4c2c-875b-758a52985260" alt="Terminal window showing that a peer device has been removed."><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip**

To find your peer's Nord name faster, start typing the name and press **Tab**. The system will auto-complete the name based on matching peers.
{% endhint %}

### Manage devices via the Nord Account dashboard

Alternatively, you can view a list of linked devices for each of your devices on the [Nord Account](https://my.ndaccount.com/) website. To access this feature:&#x20;

1. Log in to your Nord account dashboard.
2. Select the **Meshnet (by NordVPN)** card.

You should now see a list of your linked devices.

<figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F28ig8PjsLsm7vmHhG5Qx%2Fucp_meshnet_page2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=105de454-8b50-4b4b-89a6-0f3658ac5e0d" alt="A list of linked devices is displayed at the Nord account dashboard in the Meshnet section"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Unlink devices via the dashboard

The Nord Account dashboard allows you to unlink both peer devices and your own.

1. Go to the [Nord Account](https://my.ndaccount.com/) website and log in to your NordVPN account.
2. Select the **Meshnet (by NordVPN)** card.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FxpqHfJyxPLb25uHSZ74I%2Fucp_meshnet_card.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c9bc9798-bc96-4dfc-8ac7-8a3cf1b4538a" alt="&#x22;Meshnet (by NordVPN)&#x22; card highlighted."><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

   &#x20;
3. Find the device that you want to unlink and select **Manage device** next to it.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FyJAD6nz7INzSRuRE7eiW%2Fucp_manage_linux.png?alt=media&#x26;token=908cb52e-e8fa-4e73-963e-9b3ccdc807f3" alt="&#x22;Manage device&#x22; button highlighted next to a Linux device."><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

   &#x20;
4. Click **Remove from Meshnet**.

   <figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FvC5aAYRNqFQjD2AzuOQJ%2Fucp_remove_linux.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d4d3c668-a2ef-400c-b7c1-0a580ace8b51" alt="&#x22;Remove from Meshnet&#x22; button highlighted."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

   &#x20;\
   If you wish to disconnect peer devices, select **Unlink device** next to the device you want to remove.

   <figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FuZV1430F7AbrO2bkKIXW%2Fucp_remove_mesh_mac.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a235b626-265b-4269-a9fd-2bc27eed7df4" alt="&#x22;Unlink device&#x22; button highlighted."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

   &#x20;
5. Click **Unlink** to confirm.

## See also <a href="#next-steps" id="next-steps"></a>

For information on managing device access within your network, see [Explaining permissions](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/features/explaining-permissions).