Skip to main content

Linux local device login

authentik: 2025.12.0+Enterprise

Prerequisites​

How it works​

  • authentik Agent is integrated with the Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) framework on the Linux device.
  • The end user logs in via the usual Linux login screen but are prompted for their authentik credentials.
  • The Agent authenticates the credentials against the authentik server and the user is logged in.

How to log in to a Linux device​

note

When configured correctly, when logging in you should see a prompt for authentik Password rather than just Password.

  1. On the Linux login screen, you enter your authentik credentials.
  2. Once authenticated, you will be logged in to the Linux device.

Configure device access​

Local device login requires that the authenticating user is authorized to access the device. Access is controlled via device access groups, which always apply. On Enterprise, direct device bindings (users, groups, or policies bound directly to the device) also affect access. If no device access group or direct binding is configured with the appropriate bindings, all login attempts will be denied.

  1. In the Admin interface, navigate to Endpoint Devices > Device access groups and click Create.
  2. Provide a Group name (e.g. linux-devices) and click Create.
  3. Expand the newly created device access group and click Bind existing Policy / Group / User.
  4. Select Group and choose a group that contains the users who should be allowed to log in to the device. Alternatively, bind a specific User or a Policy.
  5. Click Create.
  6. Navigate to Endpoint Devices > Devices and edit the device for which you want to enable login.
  7. Set the Access group to the device access group you created.
  8. Click Update.
info

You can also assign a device access group during enrollment by selecting a Device group when creating the enrollment token.

Known issues​