
Cloudflare WARP is a free service that enhances your internet security and privacy by encrypting your connection and routing it through Cloudflare’s network. This guide will walk you through the process of installing and configuring Cloudflare WARP on various Linux distributions.
Prerequisites
- A Linux-based operating system (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux).
- Root or sudo privileges.
- An active internet connection.
Step 1: Open the Terminal
This is where you type commands. Don’t worry – we’ll guide you!
- Press
Ctrl + Alt + T
on your keyboard. - A black/white window will pop up – that’s your terminal!
Step 2: Install WARP
Follow the steps below for your Linux type:
For Ubuntu or Debian (e.g., Linux Mint, Pop!_OS):
-
Add the Security Key (like a password for safe software):
Copy-paste this into the terminal:curl -fsSL https://pkg.cloudflareclient.com/pubkey.gpg | sudo gpg --yes --dearmor --output /usr/share/keyrings/cloudflare-warp-archive-keyring.gpg
Press Enter. Type your computer password if asked. Note: on most linux terminal you won’t see anything while typing password. That’s normal behavior.
-
Add Cloudflare’s Software Library:
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/cloudflare-warp-archive-keyring.gpg] https://pkg.cloudflareclient.com/ $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/cloudflare-client.list
Press Enter.
-
Install WARP:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install cloudflare-warp
Press Enter. Type
Y
if asked to confirm.
For Fedora/CentOS/Red Hat:
- Install WARP Directly:
Press Enter. Typesudo yum install cloudflare-warp
Y
if asked.
Step 3: Turn On WARP
Unlike Windows and MacOS, Warp doesn’t have an official GUI (or graphical user interface) on Linux, so you’ll have to run it from the command line.
-
Start the Protection:
warp-cli registration new
Press Enter. This sets up your account.
-
Connect to WARP:
warp-cli connect
Press Enter. You’re now protected!
-
Every time you want to connect you need to run
warp-cli connect
in the terminal. And if you want to disconnect runwarp-cli disconnect
Step 4: Check if It’s Working
Let’s make sure WARP is active:
curl https://www.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/trace/
Press Enter. Look for warp=on
in the text. If you see it – success! 🎉
Extra Options
Change Protection Modes
-
Basic Mode (just safer internet):
warp-cli mode doh
-
Full Protection (safer internet + privacy tunnel):
warp-cli mode warp+doh
Block Bad Websites (Like for Kids)
-
Block Viruses/Malware:
warp-cli dns families malware
-
Block Adult Content:
warp-cli dns families full
Troubleshooting
- Stuck? Close the terminal and reopen it.
- Still not working? Restart your computer.
- Visit Cloudflare’s Help Page for more help.
You’re Done!
Now your internet connection is safer and faster. No need to do anything else – WARP works quietly in the background. 🌟
What WARP Is Not
WARP is like a seatbelt for your internet – it adds basic safety but isn’t a magic invisibility cloak. Here’s what it doesn’t do:
🚫 Hide your location – Websites you visit can still see your general location (like your city).
🚫 Unblock Netflix/geo-restricted content – It won’t let you watch shows only available in other countries.
🚫 Replace advanced privacy tools – It’s not for spies or hackers (use Tor or a VPN for that).
WARP is designed for everyday safety, like stopping hackers at coffee shops or keeping your ISP from selling your browsing habits. Think of it as a “good enough” shield for most people, not a superhero cape!
WARP vs. Traditional VPN: What’s the Difference?
Feature | WARP 🛡️ | Traditional VPN 🕵️♂️ |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Secures your connection | Hides your location/IP address |
IP Address | Websites see your real IP | Websites see a fake IP (e.g., UK/US) |
Server Choice | No options – automatic routing | Pick servers in specific countries |
For… | Casual users (like parents) | Techies, travelers, privacy buffs |
Blocks Ads/Trackers | No (unless using Family modes) | Some VPNs include ad-blocking |
Setup | One-click ON/OFF | Complicated settings/apps |
When to use WARP:
- You want basic protection on public Wi-Fi.
- You don’t care about hiding your location.
When to use a VPN:
- You need to access country-specific websites (e.g., Netflix libraries).
- You want to hide your IP address completely.