How to Install Proton Drive
on Linux

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To begin with, let’s discuss how to install Proton Drive on Linux effectively with the options available today.

This page is part of the Proton Drive FAQ Hub.

Can I download a Proton Drive installer for Linux?

No. If you visit the official Proton Drive download page, you will only see native installers for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. There is currently no official .deb, .rpm, or AppImage file available to download and install on Linux systems. Until Proton releases their official client, Linux users must rely on the workarounds detailed below.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to install Proton Drive on Linux, this section will provide further details.

How do I set up a Proton Drive web shortcut on Linux?

Following the instructions outlined here will ensure you understand how to install Proton Drive on Linux with ease.

The easiest way to “install” Proton Drive on Linux without using the terminal is to create a Progressive Web App (PWA) shortcut. This places a Proton Drive icon in your Linux application launcher and opens your cloud storage in a clean, standalone window without standard browser tabs getting in the way.

Here is exactly how to set up the web app shortcut using Chrome, Brave, or Firefox on Linux:

1. Open your browser and navigate to the official Proton Drive web portal.
2. Log into your encrypted account.
3. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of your browser.
4. Navigate to “Save and Share” or “More Tools” depending on your specific browser version.
5. Select “Install Page as App” or “Create Shortcut”.
6. Name the shortcut “Proton Drive” and ensure the “Open as window” box is checked.
7. Click “Install”.

You can now pin this application to your dock or taskbar. It behaves exactly like a native application while running securely in a sandboxed browser environment.

How do I mount Proton Drive to my Linux file manager?

To integrate Proton Drive directly into your Linux file system, you must use Rclone. Using the command-line interface, you can configure Rclone to connect to your Proton account securely. Once authenticated, Rclone mounts your Proton Drive as a local folder, meaning you can drag and drop files just like a native application.

Here is the exact setup process for mounting Proton Drive via Rclone:

1. Install Rclone. Always download the latest version directly from the Rclone website, as default Linux repository versions are often too outdated to support Proton Drive properly.
2. Open your terminal and type rclone config.
3. Press n to create a new remote and name it something memorable like ProtonDrive.
4. Scroll through the storage options and select the number corresponding to protondrive.
5. Enter your Proton email address when prompted.
6. Enter your Proton password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, Rclone will prompt you to enter your 2FA code.
7. Create a local folder to act as your mount point by typing mkdir ~/ProtonDrive.
8. Mount the drive by running rclone mount ProtonDrive: ~/ProtonDrive --vfs-cache-mode writes &.

The & symbol keeps the process running in the background. Your encrypted cloud storage will now appear in Nautilus, Dolphin, or your preferred native file manager.

Is there a graphical sync app for Proton Drive on Linux?

Yes, if you want the power of Rclone but refuse to use the terminal, you can install Celeste. Celeste is a community built graphical interface written in Rust that manages cloud storage connections, including Proton Drive, visually. For a graphical solution, understanding how to install Proton Drive on Linux is crucial.

Here is how to set up Celeste for Proton Drive:

1. Install Flatpak on your system if your distribution does not include it by default.
2. Open your software center, search for Celeste on Flathub, and install it.
3. Open Celeste and select “Proton Drive” from the list of supported cloud providers.
4. Enter your Proton login credentials to authenticate the secure connection.
5. Select a local folder on your hard drive for your files to sync into.

Celeste will now handle the background syncing automatically. Keep in mind that Celeste is unofficial community software, meaning it can occasionally break if Proton updates their backend authentication systems.

Will there ever be a simple Proton Drive installation for Linux?

Yes. Proton has publicly confirmed that a native Linux client is in active development. Once released, Linux users will be able to download a standard package, install it natively, and enjoy the exact same background syncing experience currently available to Windows and macOS users.

Related questions from the FAQ hub

• Can I use Proton Drive on Ubuntu?
• Is there a Proton Drive app for Linux?

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