🔐 How to Set Up and Use a VPN in Termux on Android (Step-by-Step)

If you're using Termux, the powerful Linux terminal emulator for Android, you might want to stay private and secure by using a VPN directly from the command line. In this guide, we’ll show you how to install and use a VPN in Termux using OpenVPN, one of the most reliable and popular VPN tools available.

🧰 What You Need

• Android phone with Termux installed

• Internet connection

• VPN configuration file (.ovpn) from your VPN provider

• A VPN account (from free or paid providers like ProtonVPN, VPNBook, etc.)

🛠 Step 1: Update Termux Packages

Open Termux and type the following to update:

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

📦 Step 2: Install Required Packages

Install proot, wget, git, and openvpn:

pkg install proot-distro git wget -ypkg install openvpn -y

📁 Step 3: Add Your VPN Configuration File

You need a .ovpn config file. You can:

• Download it from your VPN provider

• Or create your own if you run your own VPN server

Move the file to your Termux home directory or a folder of your choice.

Example if your file is vpnfile.ovpn:

mv /sdcard/Download/vpnfile.ovpn ~/

(Allow Termux access to storage if you get a permission error by running termux-setup-storage first.)

🔌 Step 4: Connect to the VPN

Run this command to start the VPN:

sudo openvpn --config ~/vpnfile.ovpn

If it prompts for a username and password, enter the credentials provided by your VPN provider.

You’ll see logs of the VPN connecting. Once successful, your connection is encrypted and secure.

🛑 Step 5: Disconnect VPN

To disconnect the VPN, simply press:

Ctrl + C

This will stop the OpenVPN process and disconnect your connection.

⚠️ Notes

• Not all VPNs support OpenVPN config files. Check with your provider.

• Make sure your .ovpn file includes the right certificates and routes.

• If you want to make it run in the background, consider using tmux or nohup.

Using OpenVPN with Termux gives you full control over your privacy and lets you run a VPN from the terminal just like on a regular Linux system. It's perfect for privacy lovers, ethical hackers, and Android power users.