# 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/Connectivity/Linux/1182453582/Installing-and-using-NordVPN-on-Linux.htm) on your device.

Meshnet is available for these Linux distributions:

* Debian, Ubuntu, Elementary OS, and Linux Mint
* Fedora and QubesOS
* RHEL and CentOS
* 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 the Linux terminal.
2. Type the following command and press **Enter**:<br>

   ```bash
   nordvpn set meshnet on
   ```

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%2FAvxbXoa37eEax09Yk5dc%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fd5207da-212a-4f60-b5cd-02657a8e2766" alt="Dispalaying the nordvpn set meshnet on command in the terminal" width="556"><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. This feature allows more convenient device access since you don’t have to memorize each device’s Meshnet IP address.

Nord names are composed of three parts and follow this format — `<username>-<mountain>.nord`, where:

* `<username>` is the username of your Nord Account email address.
* `<mountain>` is a name of a mountain or mountain range.

For example, `secret.raccoon-fuji.nord`.
{% endhint %}

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

As you start using Meshnet, you may want to connect multiple devices to your Meshnet to unlock its full potential. Expanding your network enhances device communication, enabling seamless [file sharing](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/5hiVtBuK6qwLGxb0SjCm/features/sharing-files-in-meshnet/sharing-files-linux) across your network and [traffic routing ](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/5hiVtBuK6qwLGxb0SjCm/features/routing-traffic-in-meshnet)through a chosen connected device, among other benefits.

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 of your devices to your Meshnet:

1. [Install the NordVPN app](https://support.nordvpn.com/FAQ/NordVPN-setup-tutorials/) on the device you want to connect.
2. Log in to your NordVPN account.
3. Turn on Meshnet.

Once you enable Meshnet on your other devices, they should be connected automatically.

Meshnet allows you to add up to 10 devices that use the same NordVPN account.

### Add external devices

To add an external device, meaning a device owned by another NordVPN user, you need to send an invitation through the NordVPN app specifying their email address. They will receive the invitation on all their devices that have NordVPN installed and Meshnet activated. As soon as the other user accepts the invitation on each device individually, their devices will become part of your Meshnet network.

For detailed guidance on adding external devices, refer to [Adding external Meshnet devices on Linux.](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/5hiVtBuK6qwLGxb0SjCm/features/linking-devices-in-meshnet/adding-external-meshnet-devices-on-linux)

## View your Meshnet device list

To view a list of your Meshnet devices, run the following command:&#x20;

```bash
nordvpn meshnet peer list
```

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. Scroll down to **NordVPN Meshnet free**.
3. Select **View details**.

<figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FFOHPPt34c6nExgiNsVsc%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3e7cae86-92d9-45b5-b0d6-5cae19b018d8" alt="A list of linked devices is displayed at the Nord account dashboard in the Meshnet section"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Remove your device from Meshnet <a href="#remove-your-device-from-meshnet" id="remove-your-device-from-meshnet"></a>

If you want to unlink your device from Meshnet, you can use either the CLI (command-line interface) or the GUI method, as explained below.

### Unlinking devices via CLI

Enter the following command, where `<device>` is the device’s Nord name or Meshnet IP address:

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

**Example**

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FOn1jgfhw4ZsE1XAZ3ACy%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f5f46923-aaaa-4d22-952a-514a051ff094" alt="Removing Meshnet device" width="550"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Unlinking devices via the Nord Account dashboard

1. Go to the [Nord Account](https://my.ndaccount.com/) website and log in to your NordVPN account.
2. Scroll down to **NordVPN Meshnet free**.
3. Select **View details**.
4. Find the device that you want to remove another device from and select **See linked devices** next to it.
5. Next to the name of the device you want to remove, click **Unlink device**.<br>

   <figure><img src="https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FKeYUa7uHNAmd3Gcf9oM1%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=07b0a815-61c4-4696-ac70-09d04342e32a" alt="The pointer hovers over the Unlink button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
6. Confirm that you want to unlink the device by clicking **Unlink**.

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

To link the device back, restart Meshnet on the unlinked device.
{% endhint %}

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

For insights on how you can manage device access within your network, see [Explaining Permissions](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/5hiVtBuK6qwLGxb0SjCm/features/explaining-permissions).