Problems with your Android VPN? Proton VPN warns it's Google's fault | Tech Radar

Overview

Problems with your Android VPN? Proton VPN warns it's Google's fault

A persistent Android 16 flaw leaves users disconnected without warning after app updates

Details

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A flaw in Android 16 breaks VPN connections after background app updates

Proton VPN, Mullvad, Windscribe have all flagged the issue with Google

Users are currently forced to restart their device or reinstall their VPN app

If you use the best VPN on your Android smartphone and have recently found yourself mysteriously disconnected from the internet, your VPN provider might not be to blame.

According to a new public warning from Proton VPN, a long-standing bug in Android 16 is causing virtual private network applications to permanently lose internet connectivity after receiving a routine app update.

Proton VPN took to X to voice its frustration, pointing the finger directly at Google. The privacy company shared links to two separate reports on Google's Issue Tracker, revealing that the tech giant has been aware of the problem for over seven months without issuing a fix.

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The glitch doesn't just affect Proton VPN. Other major privacy players, including Mullvad and Windscribe, have also been battling the same Android 16 headache since last summer, leaving developers powerless to implement a permanent solution on their end.

Tech Radar has reached out to Google, Proton, Windscribe, and Mullvad for comment on the ongoing situation.

A spokesman for Proton told Tech Radar that "Google has not yet responded to our post. This is particularly frustrating because our Android app is generally robust and stable. In fact, the majority of user-reported issues turn out to stem from this specific problem."

When a VPN app updates in the background on an Android 16 device, the operating system's network stack can become corrupted. Instead of seamlessly reconnecting, all network calls time out. This means basic internet functions, like DNS lookups or simple socket connections, get completely stuck.

For VPN users, the risk is twofold. Depending on your Android settings, you might be left entirely without internet access if you have a VPN kill switch on. Or, you could unknowingly browse the web without your VPN protection.

1/4 Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background. If you're using ANY VPN on Android, you can help us by getting Google's attention to fix it. Details 👇 🧵March 18, 2026

Mullvad was the first to file a bug report on the Google Issue Tracker back in August 2025, detailing how the VPN would fail to reconnect after an app update.

Proton VPN followed up with its own detailed report in September 2025. Despite developers providing logs and extra information, no definitive patch has materialized.

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Because the issue is baked into the OS, VPN developers cannot patch it themselves. In a recent support statement addressing the bug, Proton's team confirmed: "We want to inform you that this issue is primarily related to Android rather than Proton VPN. We have reported it to Google for further investigation."

In a separate update, Proton noted: "Our engineering team is aware of a bug between Proton VPN and Android 16 devices where the app fails to connect after an update," reassuring users that they are pushing for a resolution.

Until Google rolls out an official fix, the workarounds are frustratingly manual. If your VPN suddenly drops your connection after an update, standard troubleshooting steps like force-stopping the app or clearing your cache won't work.

Instead, users must either completely reboot their phone or uninstall and reinstall the VPN app to get back online.

Mullvad has even updated its official help pages to advise users to restart their devices if the issue occurs. We will update this story as soon as Google or the affected VPN providers provide further information.

A spokesman for Proton told Techradar, "the only remedies" for affected users are to restart their phone or uninstall and reinstall the app. "Users could also avoid upgrading to Android 16 until the issue is resolved, but this carries security risks and is not a recommended solution," Proton added.

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Rene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.

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Key Takeaways

Problems with your Android VPN
A persistent Android 16 flaw leaves users disconnected without warning after app updates
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission
A flaw in Android 16 breaks VPN connections after background app updates
Proton VPN, Mullvad, Windscribe have all flagged the issue with Google