Proton VPN has removed OpenVPN support for Android – here's what you need to know

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Proton VPN has removed support for OpenVPN, an older, open-source VPN protocol, from its Android app.

The change comes in a recent update to one of the best VPNs that shifts Android connections fully to newer protocols, including WireGuard and Proton VPN's proprietary Stealth protocol.

What is included in the update?

The update removes OpenVPN from Proton VPN's Android VPN app settings, meaning users can no longer select it as a connection protocol within the app. Proton VPN said the decision reflects the protocol's age and comparative performance.

In a support update, the company described OpenVPN as "old, slow, and bloated compared to modern protocols like WireGuard, and our own Stealth protocol."

According to Proton VPN, removing OpenVPN reduces the Android app's size by around 36%, cutting down on storage use and speeding up downloads. The company also argues that newer protocols such as WireGuard and Stealth deliver faster, more efficient connections while maintaining comparable security standards.

Proton VPN previously removed OpenVPN from its Apple apps, and said fewer than 1% of its Android users were still using the protocol prior to the change.

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What if I use OpenVPN?

Although OpenVPN has been removed from the Android app itself, Proton VPN said its servers continue to support OpenVPN connections. Users who rely on the protocol can still configure it manually using third-party apps such as OpenVPN for Android or OpenVPN Connect.

That said, not all existing configurations will continue to work. Proton VPN has confirmed that manual OpenVPN configuration files downloaded before September 2023 are no longer supported. Users still running those older files need to download updated configuration files before February 28, 2026. After that date, legacy configs will stop working.

Proton VPN said the change is part of a broader effort to modernize its infrastructure and phase out older protocol implementations within its official apps.

For most Android users, the company recommends using the built-in WireGuard or Stealth protocols instead, both of which remain fully supported in the app.

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Krishi Chowdhary
Krishi Chowdhary
Contributor

Krishi is a VPN writer covering buying guides, how-to's, and other cybersecurity content here at Tom's Guide. His expertise lies in reviewing products and software, from VPNs, online browsers, and antivirus solutions to smartphones and laptops. As a tech fanatic, Krishi also loves writing about the latest happenings in the world of cybersecurity, AI, and software.

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