How to Connect to Wi-Fi Using `iwd` on Arch Linux

Arch Linux is renowned for its minimalist design and hands-on approach, giving users complete control over their system configuration. This philosophy extends to network management as well. While tools like NetworkManager and wpa_supplicant are popular choices for managing Wi-Fi connections, another lightweight and modern alternative has emerged: iwd, short for iNet Wireless Daemon.

Developed by Intel, iwd aims to replace the older wpa_supplicant with a more efficient, streamlined, and faster wireless daemon. It is especially useful for systems that prefer minimal dependencies or headless environments where graphical tools are unnecessary. In this guide, we’ll explore how to install, configure, and use iwd to connect to Wi-Fi on Arch Linux.

What is iwd?

iwd (iNet Wireless Daemon) is a wireless management daemon developed by Intel. It is written in C and designed to work with the Linux kernel’s nl80211 interface for managing wireless devices.

Key Features

• Minimal memory and CPU usage.
• No dependencies on wpa_supplicant or heavy frameworks.
• Built-in support for WPA/WPA2 and WPA3.
• Command-line interface (iwctl) for ease of use.
• Can work standalone or integrate with systemd-networkd or NetworkManager.

Prerequisites

Before diving into setup, ensure your system meets the following prerequisites:

• A functioning Arch Linux installation.
• A wireless network interface card (NIC) supported by the Linux kernel.
• Internet access for package installation (initially via Ethernet or mobile tethering, if Wi-Fi isn’t configured yet).

Step 1: Install iwd

iwd is available in the official Arch Linux repositories. To install it, run:

sudo pacman -S iwd

This will install the daemon along with the iwctl command-line interface used for managing wireless connections.

Step 2: Enable and Start the iwd Service

Once installed, you need to enable and start the iwd systemd service:

sudo systemctl enable iwd.service
sudo systemctl start iwd.service

You can check the status to ensure everything is working properly:

systemctl status iwd.service

If your wireless card is supported and detected, the service should start without any issues.

Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi Using iwctl

With iwd running, you can now use the iwctl utility to manage your wireless connections.

Launch iwctl

Open the iwctl interface:

iwctl

This drops you into an interactive shell where you can enter commands directly.

Check Available Devices

To list available network devices:

[iwd]# device list

You’ll see output like:

Devices:
  wlan0  -  Intel Wireless-AC

Here, wlan0 is the name of your wireless device. Note this, as you’ll use it in subsequent steps.

Scan for Available Networks

To see which networks are in range:

[iwd]# station wlan0 scan
[iwd]# station wlan0 get-networks

This will list SSIDs and their security types (e.g., PSK, SAE, etc.).

Connect to a Network

To connect to a Wi-Fi network:

[iwd]# station wlan0 connect SSID_NAME

Replace SSID_NAME with the actual name of your Wi-Fi network.

If the network is secured, iwctl will prompt you for the password. If entered correctly, the system will authenticate and associate with the access point.

Automatic IP Assignment

By default, iwd doesn’t manage IP addresses. You’ll need a DHCP client for that. If you have systemd-networkd enabled and configured, it will automatically assign an IP. Alternatively, you can install and use dhcpcd:

sudo pacman -S dhcpcd
sudo systemctl enable --now dhcpcd

Once connected and DHCP is handled, you’ll have full network access.

Step 4: Verify the Connection

You can confirm the status of the connection with:

[iwd]# station wlan0 show

This will display details such as the connected SSID, signal strength, frequency, and security protocol.

To exit the iwctl shell, simply type:

[iwd]# exit

Step 5: Connect Automatically on Boot

By default, iwd stores known networks and will attempt to reconnect automatically on boot. No need for additional configuration unless you use multiple network interfaces or advanced setups.

The configuration files are stored under:

/var/lib/iwd/

Each network has its own .psk file (for WPA/WPA2) or .8021x file (for enterprise networks). You can edit or remove these files to manage known networks.

Advanced Configuration

Using iwd with systemd-networkd

If you’re managing your entire network with systemd-networkd, iwd integrates cleanly. Here’s a basic setup:

1. Create a .network file for wlan0:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/network/25-wireless.network

[Match]
Name=wlan0

[Network]
DHCP=yes

2. Enable the relevant services:

sudo systemctl enable systemd-networkd
sudo systemctl enable systemd-resolved
sudo systemctl start systemd-networkd
sudo systemctl start systemd-resolved

Link resolv.conf to systemd-resolved:

sudo ln -sf /run/systemd/resolve/stub-resolv.conf /etc/resolv.conf

This setup ensures DNS and IP configuration are handled automatically after iwd connects.

Troubleshooting Tips

Even though iwd is generally straightforward, you may encounter issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

1. No Wireless Devices Found

• Make sure your wireless card is detected with:

ip link

• Check kernel modules:

lspci -k | grep -A 3 -i network

• Some cards may require firmware from the linux-firmware package.

2. Can’t Connect to WPA3 Networks

• Ensure your system uses a recent kernel.
• Some older wireless cards may not support WPA3.

3. DHCP Not Working

• Make sure a DHCP client is installed (dhcpcd, systemd-networkd, NetworkManager, etc.).
• If using systemd-networkd, verify your .network files and their [DHCP] sections.

Why Choose iwd?

Here are a few reasons users prefer iwd over other options:

If you’re running a headless server, minimal desktop, or embedded device, iwd is an excellent choice. For users needing full GUI support or more complex enterprise Wi-Fi configurations, NetworkManager or connman might be better suited.

Conclusion

iwd is a modern, efficient alternative for managing Wi-Fi on Arch Linux. Its simplicity, speed, and reliability make it a compelling choice for minimal or headless systems. While it doesn’t yet support every edge case that wpa_supplicant can handle, it works well for the majority of use cases.

To summarize:

1. Install iwd and enable the service.
2. Use iwctl to scan and connect to networks.
3. Pair it with a DHCP client like dhcpcd or systemd-networkd.
4. Let iwd remember your connections for seamless automatic reconnects.

With a little setup, you’ll enjoy stable and secure wireless networking on your Arch Linux system using just the terminal and a few efficient tools.

If you’re interested in integrating iwd into a more complex setup, such as with connman, NetworkManager, or even scripting your own network manager, there’s plenty of room for customization. That’s the Arch way: simple, flexible, and under your control.