Tails OS - Realtek RTL8812AU - Quick Wi-Fi Setup Guide

Tails OS + WIF02 (RTL8812AU) — Quick Wi-Fi Setup

This guide helps you use the WIF02 USB Wi-Fi adapter on Tails OS. It also applies to many standard Linux distributions (we verified Ubuntu works out of the box).

Important: Tails is a privacy-focused OS and intentionally restricts low-level Wi-Fi features. Standard Wi-Fi connectivity works, but monitor mode and packet injection are not supported in Tails (by design).

Products used

 

NOTE: For Tails, it's best to use plug-n-play (works out of the box) WIF01 Ralink MT7601U Wi-Fi Dongle: View product

What you can do in Tails (and what you can’t)

Works in Tails:

  • ✅ Connect to Wi-Fi networks normally
  • ✅ Use Tor Browser and other Tails applications
  • ✅ Secure, privacy-focused internet access

Not supported in Tails (by design):

  • ❌ Monitor mode
  • ❌ Packet injection
  • ❌ airmon-ng / aireplay-ng testing
  • ❌ Custom driver/module installs

If you need monitor mode/injection, use Kali Linux and follow our Kali guide.

1) Boot into Tails OS

Boot Tails normally and reach the desktop. If you use Persistent Storage, unlock it as usual.

2) Plug in the WIF02 USB Wi-Fi adapter

Insert the WIF02 dongle into a USB port. On many laptops, Tails may limit or disable internal Wi-Fi hardware — using an external USB Wi-Fi adapter is a common and recommended approach.

3) Verify it’s detected (optional, but recommended)

Open a Terminal (Console) in Tails and run:

lsusb

You should see a Realtek USB wireless adapter listed (RTL8812AU / 802.11ac class device).

4) Connect to Wi-Fi (GUI)

  1. Click the network icon in the top-right panel
  2. Select your Wi-Fi network (SSID)
  3. Enter the password and connect
  4. Wait for Tails to establish its network connection (Tor will connect automatically)

No driver installation is required for normal Wi-Fi use in Tails.

If Wi-Fi doesn’t show up (you will need to connect to the internet some other way to load the driver before you can use Realtek RTL8812AU to connect to Wi-Fi Access Point)

Boot Tails with Administrator Password:

  1. Start your computer with the Tails USB.
  2. On the "Welcome to Tails" screen, click on + Additional Settings.
  3. Click on Administration Password.
  4. Type a password of your choice in both boxes, then click Add.
  5. Click Start Tails.
  6. Once logged in, open the terminal and run: sudo -i or open Applications > System Tools > Root Terminal.

 In Root Terminal console run:

sudo apt update
apt search 8812au
apt search 88xxau

sudo apt install realtek-rtl88xxau-dkms
sudo modprobe 88XXau

 

Note: Tails is intentionally restrictive. If you require advanced Wi-Fi testing features (monitor mode/injection), use Kali Linux instead.

Also works on other Linux distributions

The WIF02 adapter is compatible with many standard Linux distributions.

  • Verified: Ubuntu (works out of the box)
  • Expected: Linux Mint, Debian-based distros, Pop!_OS (driver availability depends on kernel/distro version)

For monitor mode/injection and full control, follow the Kali setup guide.

Need monitor mode / injection?

Tails is not designed for monitor mode or injection testing. If that’s your goal, use Kali Linux and follow the Kali guide:

Kali Linux (Bootable USB) — View product