# Installation

> How to install FlowLock on macOS, Windows and Linux, what to do about the “unidentified developer” warning, and how updates arrive.

FlowLock is a free client for the subscription you bought from a VPN provider. You can download it on the
[“Downloads”](https://flowlock.cc/en/download/) page: the website offers the right file for your system.

## macOS

You need macOS 14 or later; one build runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel.

1. Open the DMG and drag FlowLock to “Applications”.
2. FlowLock is signed without an Apple certificate, so macOS stops it on the first launch. Open “System Settings” →
   “Privacy & Security” and click “Open Anyway”.

The same result with one command in Terminal:

```sh
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/FlowLock.app
```

For TUN mode FlowLock asks for the administrator password once: it installs a small helper that starts the network
adapter.

## Windows

Two files to choose from:

- **Installer** `…-Windows-x64-setup.exe`: the app goes to Program Files together with the “FlowLock VPN” service, so
  TUN mode works without extra prompts. Settings and subscriptions are kept when you uninstall.
- **Portable version** `…-Windows-x64-portable.exe`: a single file, no installation. System proxy mode needs no
  administrator rights; when you choose TUN, FlowLock restarts with administrator rights and Windows asks for
  permission.

The builds aren't signed with a Microsoft certificate, so SmartScreen may show a warning: “More info” → “Run anyway”.

## Linux

You need Linux x64 with glibc 2.35 or later (Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12, Fedora 36, Mint 21 and newer) and an X11 or
Wayland desktop.

**Installer**: the app goes to `/opt/flowlock`, with a menu entry and a systemd service:

```sh
sudo sh FlowLock-*-Linux-x64-setup.run
```

To uninstall, run `sudo /opt/flowlock/uninstall.sh` (with `--purge` the settings are removed too).

**Portable version**: a single file:

```sh
chmod +x FlowLock-*-Linux-x64-portable && ./FlowLock-*-Linux-x64-portable
```

When you choose TUN, the system asks for the administrator password, and only the core restarts with those rights.

The tray icon works in KDE, Cinnamon, Xfce, MATE and Budgie; GNOME needs the AppIndicator extension (it is turned on
in Ubuntu).

## Updates

FlowLock updates itself: it checks for new versions after launch and every few hours, and offers “Update and
restart”. Before installing, it checks the file's signature and checksum. The channels are stable, beta and nightly;
what's new in each build is shown on the [“Releases”](https://flowlock.cc/en/releases/) page.

Next: [add a subscription](https://flowlock.cc/en/docs/subscriptions.md).