---
title: "NetworkManager"
category: "Networking and remote access"
tagline: "Manages your wired, Wi-Fi and VPN connections behind GNOME's network settings."
source: "pacman"
package: "networkmanager"
command: "nmcli"
website: "https://networkmanager.dev/"
code: "https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/NetworkManager/NetworkManager"
---

## What it is

NetworkManager is the service that brings your network connections up and keeps them working: it joins Wi-Fi networks, configures wired links, and handles VPNs and mobile broadband. GNOME's network settings and Quick Settings menu talk to it. It also has two terminal tools: `nmcli` for commands and scripts, and `nmtui` for a simple menu.

```
nmcli device wifi list
```

## Why it's here

- **Networking that just works.** Connections come up on their own and roam between networks.
- **GNOME integration.** Wi-Fi and VPNs are managed in **Settings › Wi-Fi** and **Settings › Network**.
- **Terminal tools too.** `nmcli` and `nmtui` when there's no desktop.

## On CoreDesktop

NetworkManager is installed from pacman and `NetworkManager.service` is enabled. CoreDesktop masks `NetworkManager-wait-online.service` so the desktop doesn't wait for the network at boot. `update` keeps it current with the pacman packages.