The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Proton VPN not working on Android usually comes down to one of a few things. Android’s VPN permission prompt was dismissed, another VPN app has claimed Always-on VPN, the phone has no working connection underneath, or battery management is closing the app. On Android 13 there is also a known network-switching bug.
The nine fixes below run from quickest and least disruptive to most specific. They come from Proton’s official support guidance, which we’ve reorganized by symptom. Proton doesn’t publish this exact list, and we haven’t independently tested the steps. Menu names differ by phone maker and Android version.
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Which fix matches your symptom?
| Symptom | Start with |
|---|---|
| Never connects, or the Connect button does nothing | Fixes 1 and 2 |
| Fails on every server | Fixes 3, 4 and 5 |
| Disconnects after the screen locks or you switch apps | Fix 6 |
| Disconnects when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data on Android 13 | Fixes 7 and 8 |
| Still broken after the matching fixes | Fix 9 |
Risk rises as you go down the list. Checking connectivity, servers and updates changes nothing important. Battery exceptions affect how the phone manages the app in the background. The kill-switch and APN changes in Fix 8 are the most disruptive, so keep them for the Android 13 symptom.
Fix 1: Accept Android’s VPN connection prompt
The first time you connect, Android shows a connection request. Tap OK. If you canceled it, go back to Proton VPN, tap Connect again and accept it.
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If Connect seems to do nothing, Proton says another app may be interfering. Its examples are screen-filter apps such as Twilight or f.lux. Close or pause them and try again. (Proton: Android permissions and always-on VPN issues; Proton: Action needed to connect to VPN)
Fix 2: Turn off Always-on VPN for any competing VPN app
Android lets only one VPN app use Always-on VPN at a time. If Android reports a conflict, open Android’s VPN settings, tap the gear icon beside the other VPN and turn off its Always-on VPN. Proton notes that the path varies by manufacturer and Android version. On most phones it sits under Settings, then network or connections, then VPN. (Proton)
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Fix 3: Confirm the phone has internet without the VPN
Disconnect Proton VPN and load a website or use another app on Wi-Fi or mobile data. A VPN can’t work without a functioning, stable connection underneath. If the plain connection is down or flaky, fix that first by restarting the router or switching networks. (Proton: How to fix common VPN connection problems)
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Proton says servers are sometimes taken offline for maintenance, and it recommends connecting to another one. Pick a different server or country. This is a diagnostic step, not a guarantee that a given server will work. If every server fails, the cause is likely elsewhere on this list. (Proton)
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Fix 5: Check that Proton VPN is current
Open Google Play, or wherever you installed the app, and look for an update. Install it and retry. Proton’s release notes listed stable Android version 5.20.39.0 on September 17, 2026. Treat that as a dated snapshot, because newer builds may have replaced it. (Proton: Android release notes)
Fix 6: Let Proton VPN run in the background
If the VPN drops after the screen locks or you leave the app, Android’s battery management or a third-party battery-saver app may be closing it. Proton’s example is Samsung One UI 4.1 on Android 12:
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- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Proton VPN.
- Tap Usage, then Battery.
- Select Unrestricted.
Other makers use different names for the same idea. Look for battery optimization, background usage or app sleep settings, and exempt Proton VPN. Also check any battery-saver apps you’ve installed. (Proton: How to stop Android from killing Proton VPN)
Fix 7: On Android 13, toggle airplane mode after changing networks
Use this only if the VPN disconnects when you move between Wi-Fi and cellular on Android 13. Proton documents a bug in some Android 13 versions. Its workaround is to turn airplane mode on, then off.
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Proton’s article says: “This is a known problem with some versions of Android 13, and so cannot be fixed except by Google.” It adds that the workarounds may be temporary and may need repeating after a restart. (Proton: Connection issues on Android 13)
Fix 8: For the same Android 13 symptom, review the kill switch or APN protocol
If airplane mode doesn’t help, Proton lists two more workarounds. Both are advanced, so skip them unless your symptom matches.
Turn off Always-on VPN and “Block connections without VPN”
In Android’s VPN settings, open Proton VPN’s gear icon and disable both options. This removes the protection that blocks traffic when the VPN drops, so your traffic can leave unprotected if the tunnel fails.
Set the mobile APN and roaming protocol to IPv4
Proton also suggests changing the mobile APN protocol and roaming protocol to IPv4. Proton warns that this can disable connectivity if your carrier is IPv6-only. Some carriers also restrict APN editing. Write down the original values first so you can revert. (Proton)
Quick Recap
Fix 9: Report the issue to Proton with useful details
- In the app, open Settings, then Support, then Report an Issue.
- Choose the category that matches your problem.
- Describe the symptom and what changed before it started, such as an update, a new phone or a network switch.
- Optionally include VPN error logs. Proton says they contain high-level technical data and not your browsing history.
(Proton: How to report an issue)
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