iOS app needs to be able to run constantly in background

VPN
1

If you’re using PVPN with iOS, go to: Settings, General, Background App Refresh.

Notice anything missing? No entry for PVPN. This means it won’t run in the background, at least not properly.

For me, this means that when I lock the screen, PVPN disconnects.

I notice this when I’m on WiFi, because when I’m at home, connected to WiFi, literally every time I wake up my phone and unlock the screen, it shows LTE instead of the WiFi symbol. I switch over to PVPN, and it’s always the same: connecting. But the clock isn’t at zero.

It often happens that when I’m using an app, like the one I’m using now for Reddit, and I’m on the same page, after a while, the WiFi symbol will disappear, replaced with LTE. Why? Because PVPN has gone to sleep because it can’t do background refresh, and so my phone loses WiFi connection.

This just happened now as I’m typing this on my phone. But when I tap “send”, it’ll wake it back up because I’m using my internet connection again. However, there will be a delay of a couple seconds while PVPN re-establishes it’s connection.

Note: yes, I’ve submitted a bug report. Yes, I also submitted feedback when the troubleshooting basically revealed all this, and the support agent I was speaking to said they have to look into it more. This issue has not been resolved.

The fix is for PVPN devs to get with Apple and figure out how to get a toggle for background app refresh. Then I can turn it on and maintain my connection when the phone goes to sleep.

2

Indeed, we’ve been reported about this issue (only a part of the iOS user-base is affected). We have identified the problem which lies in a part of iOS that is completely outside of our control and thus affects other clients and VPN providers. E.g. you can check the following bug report that Passpartout has about the very same issue: https://github.com/passepartoutvpn/tunnelkit/issues/138
Apple has been reported about the issue by us and other VPN providers but we do not have an estimation when this bug is going to be fixed. A factory reset of the mobile has proven to solve the issue.

3

I have the same issue with proton VPN on both my iPad & iPhone, I now have adapted my behaviour patterns to manually connecting every time I unlock both devices lol. Would be great though if the VPN did stay connected once the devices are locked, I’m sure It would not be too hard for proton to fix this issue.

4

Also what iOS Version are you using, the latest? Connect on Demand is on? (in the Settings → VPN)

5

But if I try the 1.1.1.1 app it has background app refresh. Why is that? Yes I know 1.1.1.1 is technically not a VPN but it still sets up a VPN WireGuard connection.

6

I had a lot of disconnections and provided a lot of reports. And nothing was changed, no any fix, just recommendation to switch to openvpn and do some tests with it. Does PVPN not have QA in their company to test their own products before releasing?
I plan to stop using PVPN as soon as subscription finished if they don’t fix ios app. Sorry but it is not the level of payed application.

7

I think this is not an issue with ProtonVPN not being able to run in background since it uses the vpn.ikev2 to connect IKEv2 which handles the connection for them. I suspect that it’s disconnecting either because of unstable wifi, or maybe your phone is set to disconnect from WiFi on sleep (to conserve battery). If ProtonVPN disconnects, it shouldn’t disconnect you from Wifi.

8

Happens to me too, everything fully updated, tried everything. the constant switching nuked my apple homekit stuff and i got sick of logging in and out of my icloud to resync, so now its uninstalled.

9

Thanks for the answer! at OP: /u/On3KI9oC9I7ERmJI maybe try a Network Reset Setting? I’d not like to reset the full phone.

10

I knew it! There’s more of us! I don’t think anyone had said anything, honestly.

11

Relevant wireguard statements:

https://nitter.net/ProtonVPN/status/1202913080767893506#m
https://nitter.net/ProtonVPN/status/1202970891656867841#m

12

Connect on Demand is on by default. Yes, I’m using the latest. This has been a problem for a very long time, but it’s gotten really painful the last couple months.

13

I just bought a new phone. Persisted across devices. Didn’t restore from backup either. Rebuilt what was on my phone from scratch. Didn’t help.

14

How would my phone be set to disconnect from WiFi on sleep?

15

They’re highly regarded as one of the most private and secure VPNs available. They don’t even require an email address during signup. The one downside though is they don’t have their own iOS app yet, you have to use OpenVPN app.
I find their servers to be very fast, they offer Wireguard across all platforms, and they’re cheap at around $5 per month.

16

A statement from over a year ago saying that they like Wireguard…thanks I guess?

17

I know it should be on by default, however each iOS update can reset that setting, therefore I asked wether you checked it (in the “Settings > VPN > ProtonVPN (i) > Connect on demand”, not in the protonvpn app).

18

The radio is turned off when phones sleep to conserve battery sometimes.

19

Yeah. No iOS app though.

20

No iOS app? There’s a recipe for success.