Disable VPN when on trusted Wifi Connections
I love ProtonVPN. I use it on my Android phone, and have it installed on my home router to protect all my devices on my home network. When I connect my Android phone to my home wifi network, I would love for my ProtonVPN app to sense the new connection and disconnect it on my phone--so that I only use the mobile app when I'm out in the world on 4G/5G and public wifi connections.
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Elect-Ron commented
Sharing a very similar use case for Proton VPN developers review...
TL;DR...
Proton VPN Windows (+ other OS) app 'profile' settings to auto-disconnect/connect configured on detection of wireless SSID's AND network interfaces (e.g. virtual ethernet devices).
Detail...
OP's ticket is useful to prevent 'VPN within VPN' on Wi-Fi so "known" wireless access points or networks auto-disconnect Android app VPN. This is needed on Windows / Mac Proton VPN app also, for use case I explain below.
Scenario...
I use many roaming internet connections, hence Proton VPN is configured 'always-on' my Android and Windows clients, and a GL.iNet router. This caused "VPN-within-VPN" issues.
To avoid this while I am on the road, I hotspot/tethered my laptop to phone running Proton VPN, disabled Windows VPN, and assumed laptop traffic was protected.
Proton support has advised that traffic from devices connected to an Android Hotspot or USB tether may bypass Proton VPN Android app interface. Not good.
Workaround to protect tethered PC...
I now use 'Easy Tether Pro' (ETP) Android app and Windows client. Nearly all other OS are also supported. http://www.mobile-stream.com/easytether/drivers
ETP auto-connects my PC to internet and routes traffic via the phone handset network interface, which bypasses mobile carrier detection and blocking.
Testing confirms Windows VPN client disconnected and Android VPN client connected protects traffic for both devices.
After driver install, Windows shows an ETP ethernet network device interface, which I know runs Proton VPN always-on phone app so Proton VPN Windows app needs to be manually disabled.
Ask...
Hoping the developer team will consider 'interfaces' as profiles for auto-connnect/disconnect in addition to trusted WiFi.
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Henrik commented
Just got one year of Proton VPN and I generally like it.
However, I never thought this feature would not be included, as I've become accustomed to having it while using other VPN solutions.
Please, consider adding it to your Android app. I feel like this is a critical feature, really.
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Steven Nissley Jr commented
Please add this, this is a big reason I’m sticking with Nord VPN
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Anthony Stonebraker commented
I’ve used ProtonVPN for about a week or so now and it’s been working fantastically, and I’ve read about them and they seem like a great company. However, it is a shame that a request for such a critical feature like this - that I had with NordVPN - is more than 3 years old. Please implement this feature as soon as possible.
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Dario commented
I also think this feature is super important as having a VPN in my trusted home network interferes with some other products that require direct communication.
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Kimmo Kulovesi commented
I've used various other VPN providers and all of them have this feature, so I didn't even consider for a moment that ProtonVPN might not have it. I consider this a must for mobile devices in particular, that may spend a lot of time on "safe" networks but at any time move to an untrusted one where VPN should be enabled.
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Bula commented
This critical to me as i.e. streaming content stutters when having VPN turned on both on my home router and phone. It is annoying to keep manually switching it off and on. I forget sometimes to turn it back on when leaving home and it bothers me when I forgot to turn it on while i.e. on a public wifi.
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Bula commented
DEAR TEAM PROTON THIS LOCATION CONDITIONAL TURNING VPN ON / OFF FEATURE IS HIGHLY REQUESTED ACCORDING TO MANY PREVIOUS COMMENTS. I AM ALSO VOTING THIS TO BE INPLEMENTED ASAP. KIND REGARDS. LOVE YOUR WORK AND UNDERSTAND THIS TAKES TIME. BUT PLEASE MAKE THIS FEATURE HAPPEN !!!
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Richard Shutes commented
This option is the only thing holding me back from becoming a user of all your products. Several VPN providers provide this service. I use my VPN on all my mobile devices and while I travel. If I am not on my home network, the automatic protection would be a much needed benefit. Thank you
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Justin Brash commented
I think this is an important feature for the VPN apps on any mobile device. I have a proton VPN connection setup on my home router, so don't need the VPN app on my mobile devices to be connected when they're on the home network. But, i would like to enable "Always On VPN" on my phones. It needs to be able to automatically connect/disconnect when off/on the home network.
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Greg commented
It would be very helpful to have this feature to overcome objections from other members of my family who don't realize the importance of using a VPN while 'out in the wild' using public wifi.
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PrinceKorvin commented
Guys, please add this functionality, this would be really helpful!
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Rizzp commented
Yes! This is a feature I really missed when changing from NordVPN to ProtonVPN. I dont really need a VPN when in my home network and when using my mobile carrier, but I do use it all the time when in "public/work" wifis, so making it change automatically is a game changer.
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[Deleted User] commented
This is a must have feature when and if I have my phone connected to my home network's router which already has ProtonVPN implemented.
Occasionally there are weird unknown conflicts when connecting and is very frustrating.
For now I permanently have my phone only stay connected to my phones 5G network as a workaround when at home, which is just a dumb false economy!! -
Ed Berrevoets commented
To complete this request it would also be an improvement, if the VPN was turned back on again automatically, when the device would be disconnected from the trusted wifi network and connects to an untrusted network. Also it would be useful if cellular networks could be "trusted" or excluded as well. I only need this to be turned on on open and untrusted networks.
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S3tc2 commented
This would make things much better! I would add here that this would be great to have on Android as well, to automatically connect to the VPN when not in one of the whitelisted networks, and would help to save so much battery life for those of us who keep the VPN on most of the time, despite being in one of the trusted networks.
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JK commented
I was dumbfounded as to why I couldn't connect to local network resources when I had "LAN connections" enabled and tried every permutation of split tunneling with local IP's and apps that use local resources excluded from VPN. Also tried disabling NetShield until I realized that the Always on & kill switch was preventing local access. Not sure why local network access and kill switch/always on are mutually exclusive. They aren't on any other VPN provider app that I've ever used.
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gadgetguy commented
Currently Proton VPN for Android just allows always on or off connections. When on a VPN connected wifi network, it doesn't need to be on.
Either allow VPN to be off for certain Wifi connections or allow VPN to be on always for just mobile connections. -
Don Wallingford commented
This is an exact situation I've come across. When I get home, for example, I cannot connect to my Chromecast unless I turn off parts of my ProtonVPN. I'd like the ability to setup location rules or something that is automatic so I don't have to constantly manually change settings.
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DanL commented
Yes, this is a feature that I really like with NordVPN. Please include with ProtonVPN because I already have ProtonVPN on my router protecting my household devices. Don't need a double VPN when my phone is at home.