RaspAP lets you quickly get a WiFi access point up and running to share the connectivity of many popular [Debian-based devices](#supported-operating-systems), including the Raspberry Pi. Our popular [Quick installer](#quick-installer) creates a known-good default configuration that "just works" on all current Raspberry Pis with onboard wireless. A responsive interface gives you control over the relevant services and networking options. Advanced DHCP settings, OpenVPN client support, SSL, security audits, themes and multilingual options are included.
RaspAP has been featured on sites such as [Instructables](http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-As-Completely-Wireless-Router/), [Adafruit](https://blog.adafruit.com/2016/06/24/raspap-wifi-configuration-portal-piday-raspberrypi-raspberry_pi/), [Raspberry Pi Weekly](https://www.raspberrypi.org/weekly/commander/) and [Awesome Raspberry Pi](https://project-awesome.org/thibmaek/awesome-raspberry-pi) and implemented in countless projects.
We hope you enjoy using RaspAP as much as we do creating it. Tell us how you use this with [your own projects](https://github.com/billz/raspap-awesome).
Start with a clean install of the [latest release of Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) Lite](https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/). The Raspberry Pi OS desktop and 64-bit beta distros are unsupported.
3. If you have a device without an onboard WiFi chipset, the [**Edimax Wireless 802.11b/g/n nano USB adapter**](https://www.edimax.com/edimax/merchandise/merchandise_detail/data/edimax/global/wireless_adapters_n150/ew-7811un) is an excellent option – it's small, cheap and has good driver support.
**Note:** As the name suggests, the Quick Installer is a great way to quickly setup a new AP. However, it does not automagically detect the unique configuration of your system. Best results are obtained by connecting to ethernet (`eth0`) or as a WiFi client, also known as managed mode, with `wlan0`. For the latter, refer to [this FAQ](https://docs.raspap.com/faq/#headless). Special instructions for the Pi Zero W are [available here](https://docs.raspap.com/ap-sta/).
This feature uses DNS blacklisting to block requests for ads, trackers and other undesirable hosts. To enable ad blocking, simply respond to the prompt during the installation. As a beta release, we encourage testing and feedback from users of RaspAP.
By default RaspAP configures a routed AP for your clients to connect to. A bridged AP configuration is also possible. Slide the **Bridged AP mode** toggle under the **Advanced** tab of **Configure hotspot**, then save and restart the hotspot.
**Note:** In bridged mode, all routing capabilities are handled by your upstream router. Because your router assigns IP addresses to your device's hotspot and its clients, you might not be able to reach the RaspAP web interface from the default `10.3.141.1` address. Instead use your RPi's hostname followed by `.local` to access the RaspAP web interface. With Raspbian default settings, this should look like `raspberrypi.local`. Alternate methods are [discussed here](https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/remote-access/ip-address.md).
RaspAP lets you create an AP with a Wifi client configuration, often called [AP-STA mode](https://docs.raspap.com/ap-sta/). With your system configured in managed mode, enable the AP from the **Advanced** tab of **Configure hotspot** by sliding the **Wifi client AP mode** toggle. Save settings and start the hotspot. The managed mode AP is functional without restart.
**Note:** This option is disabled until you configure your system as a wireless client. For a device operating in [managed mode](https://docs.raspap.com/faq/#headless) without an `eth0` connection, this configuration must be enabled [_before_ a reboot](https://docs.raspap.com/ap-sta/).
RaspAP is free software, but powered by your support. If you find RaspAP useful for your personal or commercial projects, please [become a GitHub sponsor](https://github.com/sponsors/billz), join the project on [Open Collective](https://opencollective.com/raspap) or make a one-time donation with [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/billzgithub). Any of these options makes a big difference!
RaspAP provides an 802.11ac wireless mode option for supported hardware (currently the RPi 3B+/4 and compatible Orange Pi models) and wireless regulatory domains. See [this FAQ](https://docs.raspap.com/faq/#80211ac) for more information.
We find Armbian particularly well-suited for this project. Please note that "supported" is not a guarantee. If you are able to improve support for your preferred distro, we encourage you to [actively contribute](#how-to-contribute) to the project.
RaspAP uses [GNU Gettext](https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/) to manage multilingual messages. In order to use RaspAP with one of our supported translations, you must configure a corresponding language package on your RPi. To list languages currently installed on your system, use `locale -a` at the shell prompt. To generate new locales, run `sudo dpkg-reconfigure locales` and select any other desired locales. Details are provided on our [documentation site](https://docs.raspap.com/translations/)
If your language is not in the list above, why not [contribute a translation](https://docs.raspap.com/translations/#contributing-to-a-translation)? Contributors will receive credit as the original translators.
The Quick Installer may be used to [generate SSL certificates](https://docs.raspap.com/ssl-quick/) with `mkcert`. The installer automates the manual steps [described here](https://docs.raspap.com/ssl-manual/), including configuring lighttpd with SSL support.
OpenVPN may be optionally installed by the Quick Installer. Once this is done, you can manage client configuration and the `openvpn-client` service with RaspAP.
To configure an OpenVPN client, upload a valid .ovpn file and, optionally, specify your login credentials. RaspAP will store your client configuration and add firewall rules to forward traffic from OpenVPN's `tun0` interface to your configured wireless interface.
