Linux

The Linux build is experimental. Some features are missing, and the rest may be unstable.

Installation

On Ubuntu, Debian and similar distributions, install the DEB; on Fedora and other RPM-based distributions, the RPM. Both install the input helper described below. AppImage runs without installation. Snap is not in the Snap Store; install it from the downloaded file:

sudo snap install ./identityproxy_*.snap --dangerous --classic

AppImage, DEB and RPM update from within the app, as on Windows and macOS. DEB and RPM ask for an administrator password when installing an update. The AppImage must be in a folder you can write to, otherwise the update fails. Snap does not update itself; download new versions from the downloads page. Get the new version there as well if the app does not offer it.

The interface needs WebKitGTK 2.40 or newer. With an older version the windows may render incorrectly; the app warns you about this on launch.

Shortcuts are the same as on Windows: use the Windows column in the tables, and press Ctrl wherever the docs say Ctrl/Cmd. On Wayland, global shortcuts are registered through the system, which may ask you to confirm them on first launch. GNOME supports this only from version 48, so global shortcuts do not work on Ubuntu 24.04 and other distributions with an older GNOME.

Screen recording protection

The overlay is hidden from screen sharing only in KDE Plasma on Wayland. In all other environments, including GNOME and any X11 session, the interviewer will see the overlay if you share the whole screen. Share a single window or browser tab there instead.

In KDE, the app first checks that the protection works. If Settings → Application → System says the protection is not confirmed, assume it is off. You can test it on the compatibility check page. A screenshot taken by Sobes itself is no proof: the overlay is never in it.

Input helper

Mouse button and CapsLock shortcuts, modifier key blocking and cursor protection work through a separate system helper. DEB and RPM install it already. For AppImage, install it once from a terminal:

./identityproxy_*.AppImage --appimage-extract
sudo bash ./squashfs-root/usr/share/sobes-input-helper/install-input-helper.sh

For Snap:

sudo bash /snap/identityproxy/current/app/usr/share/sobes-input-helper/install-input-helper.sh

Restart Sobes after installing. When you turn these features on, the system asks for an administrator password. You can remember the permission so the password is not asked again, but then other programs running as your user can also start the helper.

If your mouse or keyboard stops responding, hold both Shift keys and press Esc: the helper releases input immediately. After connecting a new mouse or keyboard, turn modifier key blocking on again.

What works differently

There is no virtual cursor. Area screenshots are selected with the regular cursor.
Cursor protection works only on X11 and KDE Wayland, and only with a mouse. Touchpads, touchscreens and pens are not supported.
Clicking a text field in the overlay takes focus from the call window. Buttons and scrolling do not.
On Wayland, the system may ask which screen to share with the app when you take a screenshot or record an interview.
System audio needs PulseAudio or PipeWire with pipewire-pulse. Most distributions already have one of them.
On X11 without a compositor, the app windows are not transparent.

Disguise

Disguise is not available in Snap. In other formats it creates a copy of the app with the chosen name and icon and adds it to the applications menu. Launch the copy from that shortcut. Updates install only into the original app, not from the copy. After an update, open the original and it updates the copy.