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How to Share Full Access to the Server and VPN

Overview​

If you have set up a VPN on your server using the AmneziaVPN app, you can share either full or guest VPN access. Make sure you understand the difference between the two. In the app, these options are shown as Share full access to the server and VPN and Share VPN Access. In this guide, we use the shorter terms full access and guest access.

A full access key provides:

  • full control of the server
  • access to the VPN through any protocol installed on the server
  • use on any number of devices

If a full access key is leaked, third parties could change the server's root password and lock you out completely. If this happens, the only way to get access back is to contact your hosting provider's support. To reduce this risk, we recommend creating full access connections only for your personal devices.

You cannot revoke or reset a full access connection key. If a key is leaked, change the server's root password right away and remove Amnezia protocols and services from the server.

Important limitations of guest access:

  • it only allows the user to connect to the VPN and does not provide any server management access
  • each guest connection works with only one VPN protocol, which is selected when the guest connection is created
  • each guest connection can be used on one device only

If a guest connection is leaked, third parties may learn your server's IP address. They may also use the VPN and consume your server's bandwidth. Unlike full access, a guest connection can be revoked at any time.

How to Share Full Access​

  1. Open the AmneziaVPN app with an existing full access connection to the server, then click the Share icon on the bottom bar to the left of the gear icon.
  2. Click ⋮ (three dots icon) in the top right corner, then click Share.
  3. Select the server you want to share full access to, then click Share.
  4. Choose how you want to share the connection key:
    • Click Share to save an amnezia_config.vpn file or send it to a contact. This is a text file that contains only the connection key in vpn://... format.
    • Click Copy to copy the connection key in vpn://... format to the clipboard.
    • Scan the QR code on another device in the AmneziaVPN app to create a full access connection to the server.