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Setting up the OFFPAD for Linux environments differs slightly from the Windows process due to the tooling available, but is at its core the very same. In this guide we’ll walk through the various steps required to set up your OFFPAD for both debian based and non-debian based Linux environments.
Prerequisites:
An OFFPAD or OFFPAD+.
Make sure it is well charged before starting.
Access to a terminal emulator.
Bluetoothctl, a command-line tool for bluetooth actions.
1. Preparation
Double check to ensure your bluetooth service is currently running via entering the command `systemctl status bluetooth.service`. If it is running but not automatically connecting to the OFFPAD after following this guide, also check your bluetooth configuration, usually located in `/etc/bluetooth/main.conf`. In the file, toward the bottom, the feature `AutoEnable` should equal true.
2. Bluetooth
Press the power button on the OFFPAD to turn on the OFFPAD, then press it again and hold the ON button until the screen displays Pairing Mode.
Start the terminal emulator and enter the command `bluetoothctl scan on`, to detect nearby bluetooth devices.
The devices can then easily be listed via `bluetoothctl devices`, but assuming there are many, it may be easier to use `bluetoothctl devices | grep OFFPAD` to list the OFFPAD.
The result should look something like this: `Device 12:34:56:78:9A:BC OFFPAD`.
Note the MAC address, as we’ll use it to pair the OFFPAD: `bluetoothctl pair 12:34:56:78:9A:BC`
Finally, you should receive a prompt for a pairing code. Once it has been entered, the OFFPAD should complete the pairing.
3. fido2ble
To ensure the OFFPAD connects correctly, there is an additional service you should download from the OFFPAD github repository found here. Navigate to the releases page and download either `fido2ble_0.2.deb` if you’re on a debian based distribution or `fido2ble_0.2.tar.xz` if not. The following section of the guide differs between Linux distributions.
For those on Debian based systems (e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Mint)
Install the `fido2ble_0.2.deb` package via `apt install <yourdirectory>/fido2ble_0.2.deb`
Then use the command `apt update && apt upgrade` to make sure it is at the latest version.
This will create the `fido2ble` service, ensuring your OFFPAD connects as it should when prompted via bluetooth.
Once installed, you can ensure the service is running by entering the command `systemctl status fido2ble.service`, which should show as active.
For those NOT on Debian based systems (e.g. Fedora, Arch, RHEL)
Install `fido2ble_0.2.tar.xz` and unpack it via e.g. `tar -xvf fido2ble_0.2.tar.xz` (though many systems also offer a simple “extract” option in file managers).
Navigate into the unpacked `/fido2ble` and run the command `python3 -m fido2ble.fido2ble` to run the package as a module, running the background service required for OFFPAD connections.
Please note that due to the installation format, new versions would have to be manually installed and there is no automatic background service created by default (for now).
4. Success!
You have now performed all the steps required to get started with your OFFPAD in Linux environments! The very first time you add your passkey to a website, you will be onboarded and prompted to add a PIN to your OFFPAD as well as your fingerprint.
For first time connections, you may have to manually connect to the OFFPAD to ensure it gets properly connected. Subsequent connections will be automatic given all the services are running.
