At some point, you’re probably going to need a VPN. If you happen to be using a Ubuntu Touch device, you’ll be glad to know that the necessary systems for adding a VPN connection are in place. However, depending upon the VPN you connect to, the out-of-the-box configuration might not be enough.

But, this is Linux, so naturally you can add the necessary options (such as ca-certificate only with username and password). Let me show you how.

Installing Terminal

Adding the new options requires installing what is called a click package. In order to do that, you will first have to install the Terminal app from the Ubuntu Store. To install Terminal, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Scopes app.
  2. Swipe to the left until you see the Apps page.
  3. Locate and tap the Ubuntu Store button.
  4. Once the Ubuntu Store opens, tap the Search button.
  5. Search for terminal.
  6. Locate and tap the entry by Ubuntu Core App Developers.
  7. Tap Install.
  8. Allow the installation to complete.

Open the terminal and enter (if required) your lock screen password/PIN. You should be able to use the terminal.

Installing the click package

Download the necessary click package for installation (get the latest iteration here). After it’s downloaded, go back to your terminal window and change into the ~/phablet/Downloads directory. Once in the directory housing the download, issue this command (where XXX is the release number of the package):

pkcon install-local –allow-untrusted ~/Downloads/com.ubuntu.developer.pete-woods.vpn-editor_XXX_all.click

The package will install (Figure A), and you’re ready to go.

Figure A

Installing the vpn editor package on the BQ Aquaris M10 tablet.

SEE: 10 things you should know about the BQ Aquaris M10 tablet

Using the VPN editor

Instead of configuring your VPN through System Settings | VPN, you’ll want to go to Scopes | Apps and search for VPN editor. Click the launcher for the VPN editor app and then click either the VPN 1 or VPN 2 connection. Now, from the Type drop-down, you’ll find more options to choose from (Figure B).

Figure B

New VPN types are now available, thanks to the VPN editor.

You can see the differences between the built-in VPN tool and the VPN editor app in Figure C.

Figure C

The VPN editor is on the left, and the built-in VPN configuration tool is on the right.

You should be able to set up a VPN on your Ubuntu Touch device as needed.

In upcoming iterations of the platform, I hope the developers will roll these options into the default VPN configuration tool. Until then, happy secure connecting!