Proton VPN Drops OpenVPN Support on Android
What You Need To Know
Proton VPN is shaking things up for its Android user base. If you have updated your app recently, you might have noticed a missing protocol option. OpenVPN is officially gone from the native Android application settings. Here is a full breakdown of why they made the change and what you need to do next.
Quick Verdict
The End of an Era for OpenVPN
Proton VPN is transitioning all its Android connections fully towards newer, faster protocols like WireGuard and its own proprietary Stealth protocol. Because of this, OpenVPN has been entirely removed from the app settings. You can no longer select it directly.
The Solution: The vast majority of users should simply stick with WireGuard or Stealth. However, if you are running a specific setup that absolutely demands OpenVPN, you will now need to route your traffic using third party applications.
Why Has OpenVPN Been Removed?
The VPN industry as a whole is moving towards lighter, modernised codebases. OpenVPN served the security community well for years, but the company explicitly described it as "old, slow, and bloated compared to modern protocols."
By cutting OpenVPN out completely, Proton VPN managed to reduce the Android app's size by an impressive 36 percent. This directly cuts down on the storage space required on your phone and significantly speeds up download times. Furthermore, the company noted that prior to the removal, fewer than 1 percent of their Android user base was still actively using the protocol.
How to Keep Using OpenVPN
If you are part of that 1 percent, do not panic. The protocol is gone from the official app, but Proton VPN servers still fully support OpenVPN connections behind the scenes.
You can continue using it by setting up a manual connection. You will need to download your configuration files from your Proton VPN dashboard and load them into a reliable third party client, such as OpenVPN for Android or the official OpenVPN Connect app.
For a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough directly from the source, you can review the official Proton VPN support guide here.
Crucial Deadline: Update Your Config Files
There is an important catch for users who are already routing manually.
The 28th February 2026 Cutoff
Proton VPN is actively modernising its infrastructure. As part of this, they have confirmed that any manual OpenVPN configuration files downloaded prior to September 2023 are no longer supported. If you are still running these legacy files, they will completely stop working after the 28th of February 2026. You must download brand new configuration files from your dashboard before this date to stay connected.
Modern Alternatives: WireGuard and Stealth
If you are not tied to a specific manual setup, the smartest move is to simply switch to the protocols still built natively into the app.
- WireGuard: This has become the gold standard across the industry. It has a tiny, easily auditable codebase and delivers incredibly fast speeds without compromising your security.
- Stealth: This is Proton VPN's custom, proprietary protocol. It is specifically designed to bypass deep packet inspection. If you are connecting from a highly restrictive network environment, Stealth is your best option for maintaining a solid connection.
FAQs: Proton VPN Protocol Update
Is OpenVPN completely dead on Proton VPN?
No. While it has been removed from the official Android and Apple applications, the backend servers still support it. You just have to configure it manually with a third party application.
Will my old configuration files stop working?
Yes. If you downloaded your manual OpenVPN configuration files before September 2023, you need to replace them. They will permanently expire after the 28th of February 2026.
Should I use WireGuard or Stealth?
For standard daily browsing and streaming, WireGuard is highly optimised and will give you the fastest connection. If you are trying to bypass severe network restrictions or firewalls, switch over to Stealth.
