Install OpenVPN Connect on Chromebook

OpenVPN Connect lets you connect to Private Internet Access (PIA) on a Chromebook using an OpenVPN configuration file. This guide explains how to download our OpenVPN files, install OpenVPN Connect, import the OpenVPN files, and connect to a PIA VPN server.

Step 1: Download Our OpenVPN Files

First, you need to download our OpenVPN files, which will later be configured in OpenVPN Connect.

1. On your Chromebook, open our guide to finding your OpenVPN (OVPN) configuration files. 
2. Download the configuration file that suits your needs. 
3. Select the circle icon in the lower-left corner of the screen to open Launcher. 

4. Open Files. 

5. Double-tap your mouse pad to open the context menu, then click New Folder. Alternatively, press Ctrl+E.

6. Name your folder OpenVPN Configuration Files or similar.

7. Click Downloads.

8. Open the configuration files you downloaded.

9. Press CTRL+A to select the files, or pick the country you wish to import in Step 3. Double-tap your mouse pad and click Copy. Alternatively, press Ctrl+C.

10. Navigate to the folder you created earlier and double-tap your mouse pad. Click Paste or press Ctrl+V.

Step 2: Install OpenVPN Connect

You now need to install OpenVPN from the Google Play Store.

1. Select the circle icon in the lower-left corner of the screen to open Launcher. 

2. Select Play Store. If it doesn’t appear in Launcher, search for it using the search bar. 

3. Click Search.

4. In the Search Bar, type OpenVPN Connect and press Enter.

5. Click Install. 

6. When the installation is finished, press Open.

Step 3: Configure OpenVPN

Now, you need to configure OpenVPN to work with the files you downloaded earlier. 

Note: If the OpenVPN Connect interface is too small, you can change it to Landscape mode using the drop-down menu at the top of the app. You can also select Resizeable for an even larger view, but this can cause incompatibility issues with some apps. 

1. Choose whether you want OpenVPN Connect to send you notifications.

2. Agree to the terms provided.

3. Click Upload File.

4. When you go to the Upload file tab for the first time, you may be asked to give OpenVPN permissions. If so, click Allow.
5. Click Browse.

6. Navigate to the folder you created in Step 1. 

7. Select the OpenVPN file you want to use and click Open. 

8. Click OK when asked to import an .ovpn profile. 

9. Enter your PIA Username. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to purchase a PIA subscription. 

10. Click the Save password checkbox. 

11. Enter your PIA Password, then click Connect.

12. Click OK when the connection request appears.

13. When asked about a connection certificate, click Continue.

14. If everything is successful, you’ll see Connected under Profiles and a green toggle.

15. You can confirm you are connected by checking your IP and DNS addresses.