- OpenVPN is no longer available in Proton VPN’s Android app to save space
- Users are pushed toward faster protocols like WireGuard and Stealth
- You can still use OpenVPN on Proton servers via third-party configuration
If you are using Proton VPN on your Android device today, you might notice a lighter, faster experience, but one classic feature is missing. Following an announcement made in January, the Swiss privacy giant has officially removed support for the OpenVPN protocol from its Android application.
The update, which rolled out on the Google Play Store on February 17, forces users to switch to modern protocols like WireGuard or Proton’s own obfuscation-focused Stealth protocol. While OpenVPN has long been the gold standard for secure tunnelling, Proton VPN says the decision was driven by a need to modernize the app and reduce “bloat.”
In a support document explaining the change, the provider didn’t mince words regarding the aging protocol. “Put simply, it’s old, slow, and bloated compared to modern protocols like WireGuard and our own Stealth protocol,” the company stated.
Why is OpenVPN going away?
For the vast majority of users, this change will likely go unnoticed, or arguably, make things better. OpenVPN is a secure workhorse, but it is code-heavy. By excising it, Proton claims it has significantly optimized the application’s footprint.
“We also found that removing OpenVPN reduces the app’s size by around 36%, reducing the storage space it uses and speeding up downloads,” the provider noted.
Beyond the file size, there is the issue of usage. According to Proton’s data, “less than 1% of you use it on Android.” With the industry moving largely toward WireGuard for its lightning-fast speeds and efficient code base, maintaining a legacy protocol for a tiny fraction of the user base became difficult to justify.
This isn’t the first time Proton has cleaned house; the provider noted that it has “already removed it from our Apple apps.” It also mirrors a wider industry trend where top providers are prioritizing lightweight, mobile-friendly protocols to ensure they remain the best VPN for speed and battery life.
What to do if you still need OpenVPN
While the protocol is gone from the app, it isn’t gone from Proton’s servers. This is a crucial distinction for power users who may rely on OpenVPN for specific router setups or legacy network compatibility.
If you absolutely must use the older protocol on your phone, you will need to do it the hard way. Proton confirmed that “our servers still support OpenVPN connections,” but you will need to manually configure them using third-party clients. To do this:
- Log in to your Proton VPN dashboard via a web browser.
- Download the OpenVPN configuration files for your desired server.
- Install a third-party app like OpenVPN for Android or OpenVPN Connect.
- Import the configuration files to connect.
For everyone else, the default settings on Proton’s Android VPN app will now default to WireGuard or Stealth. These offer near-instant connection times and are far less likely to drain your battery than their predecessor, making this a cut that, ultimately, most users will thank Proton for making.
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