Nym VPN finally brings split tunneling to Linux, and Android users get a new ad blocker — the tools are in beta, and the provider wants to hear how they work for you | Tech Radar

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Nym VPN finally brings split tunneling to Linux, and Android users get a new ad blocker — the tools are in beta, and the provider wants to hear how they work for you

The v 2026.8 update adds two long-awaited features, both currently in beta

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Nym VPN v 2026.8 adds split tunneling (beta) to its Linux app

Android users get a new beta ad blocker, toggleable in Settings

The update continues Nym VPN's steady stream of releases across apps

Nym VPN has rolled out its latest update, version v 2026.8, bringing two features that users on specific platforms have been waiting for.

The headline additions are split tunneling on Linux and a built-in ad blocker on Android. The tools are both currently in beta, and the provider is eager to hear how they work for you.

While Nym VPN is still building out its feature set and isn't quite at the level of the best VPN services on the market just yet, the team's regular cadence of updates keeps closing the gap.

Nym VPN's latest update brings crucial anti-censorship and usability boost

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The latest patch follows recent releases that brought split tunneling to Windows, mac OS, and Android, meaning Linux users were the next obvious group to bring into the fold.

Split tunneling is set to land on i OS next, so that is the new ad-blocker.

The biggest addition in v 2026.8 is split tunneling for Linux, now in beta.

Split tunneling lets you decide, on a per-app basis, what goes through the encrypted VPN tunnel and what connects directly to the internet. With Nym VPN's Linux client, you can now include or exclude specific apps from the tunnel as you see fit.

This is useful for a few reasons. You might want sensitive traffic, like your browser or messaging apps, fully protected by Nym VPN, while letting a local service or a bandwidth-heavy app skip the tunnel for better speed or compatibility. It's a quality-of-life feature that long-time Linux users have been asking for, and it brings the Linux app closer to feature parity with Nym VPN's mac OS and Windows clients.

Nym VPN v 2026.8 is live🛡️Split tunneling (beta) for Linux🛑Ad blocker (beta) for Android🔧Fix for pending subscription notification in app⤵️https://t.co/Kjl QBi VZo 5 May 5, 2026

The other major addition is an ad blocker for Android, also in beta.

According to Nym, blocking ads is more than a convenience feature: ads often double as trackers that follow your behavior across sessions, so cutting them off at the network level adds a real layer of privacy.

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To turn it on, Android users just need to open the app and toggle the ad blocker on in Settings.

Split tunneling and ad blocking might sound like minor tweaks, but they each solve real problems.

For Linux users, split tunneling means you no longer have to choose between routing everything through the VPN or nothing at all. You can keep streaming or local development tools running smoothly while still protecting the apps that handle your most sensitive data.

For Android users, the new ad blocker tackles one of the most common (and quietly invasive) sources of tracking on mobile. Mobile ads frequently come bundled with trackers that profile your behaviour across apps and websites, so blocking them at the VPN level can meaningfully reduce how much data third parties collect about you.

Both features are still in beta, so expect some rough edges as Nym continues to refine them. But the v 2026.8 update is another sign that Nym VPN is steadily filling in the gaps across its platforms, and Linux and Android users finally have a couple of the tools they've been waiting for.

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Monica is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience. She writes about the latest developments in computing, which means anything from computer chips made out of paper to cutting-edge desktop processors.

GPUs are her main area of interest, and nothing thrills her quite like that time every couple of years when new graphics cards hit the market.

She built her first PC nearly 20 years ago, and dozens of builds later, she’s always planning out her next build (or helping her friends with theirs). During her career, Monica has written for many tech-centric outlets, including Digital Trends, Slash Gear, We PC, and Tom’s Hardware.

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News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
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Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards