How-to Use WireGuard on Android and Ubuntu

WireGuard is extremely fast, secure and simple VPN which runs inside the Linux Kernel and uses some best cryptography algorithms to secure your data while it is being transmitted. WireGuard uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP) which provides lesser overhead as compared to TCP. UDP is an ideal protocol where minimal latency is needed such as gaming. You should use Best XBOX one Headset. 

We have had our fair share of using VPNs that are not as secure and may lead to exposing the data being sent over the network which totally kills the reason to use an VPN. WireGaurd is an open source VPN tunnel, with its code available on GitHub. So, If you are a developer who wants to try WireGuard while being able to understand how the VPN works and how your data is being manipulated to make it securely travel through the servers you can follow up on the code here. The repository is managed by Jason A. Donenfeld of Edge Security and the code is being updated regularly which gives the satisfaction of being secure over a VPN always. WireGuard has matured over the time compared to when it was first launched. Now the same amount of satisfaction and security can also be experienced on android as the developers have released the WireGaurd app for android users.

Wireguard is an extremely well written and compact piece of software with only 4000 lines of code thus providing it the capabilities to be more robust and secure as more the lines of code, much harder it is to control the bugs in code which might leave some security issues around. You can learn more about wireguard here.

To use Wireguard, you need a server through which you can send traffic. There are quite a few commercial providers which can be used to setup Wireguard. This post will be focusing on Azire VPN which is free at the time of writing this article. You can always setup your own server, though.

Here are the steps to follow to get Wireguard on your android Phone:

  1. Make sure you’re running a ROM or kernel that supports WireGuard.
  2. Install the WireGuard app. (Check if you have install from unknown sources enabled. Alternatively, you can enable the option by navigating to Settings > Security > Unknown Sources).

Once you have downloaded the APK, you can normally install the APK on your device. If the installer prompts you to enable the Unknown sources option, you can always go to settings and enable the unknown sources installation.

  1. Sign up for Azire VPN. Skip this step if you have already have an account on Azire’s website.

Follow up the registration process on Azire VPN’s website.

  1. Generate and download configuration file from here.

Follow the link to simply generate the configuration file by entering your account credentials through which you just created your account on Azire.

  1. Import it into the Wireguard app using “Add from file” option.

Import the configuration file in the android app to experience the capabilities of the WireGuard app on your android phone.

  1. That should be it setting up Wireguard on your android phone.

Setting up Wireguard on your computer:

  1. Install Wireguard running the following commands from your Ubuntu terminal.
  2. $ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wireguard/wireguard $ sudo apt-get update4.  $ sudo apt-get install wireguard-dkms wireguard-tools linux-headers-$(uname -r)
  3. Sign up for Azire VPN. Skip this step if you have already have an account on Azire’s website.

Follow up the registration process on Azire VPN’s website.

  1. Run the Azire Script.

$ curl -LO https://www.azirevpn.com/dl/azirevpn-wg.sh$ chmod +x ./azirevpn-wg.sh$ ./azirevpn-wg.sh

  1. Run Wireguard.

$ wg-quick up azirevpn-se1

That should be it setting up Wireguard on your computer.