Multiple prominent VPN providers are currently sounding the alarm over a troubling bug in Android 16 that is disrupting their services and potentially compromising user security. This issue, which has been identified in the network stack of Android 16, can cause VPN applications to malfunction silently, leaving users unaware that their connections are no longer secure.
Impact on VPN Services
Reports indicate that the bug manifests itself after a VPN app is updated, resulting in the application failing to operate correctly in the background. Users may find themselves unable to connect to the internet, as the VPN app enters a state where it is effectively blocked from accessing online resources.
Proton VPN has been vocal about this issue, sharing insights through a series of posts on X. They noted that they first flagged the problem in September 2025, with other providers like Mullvad VPN and WireGuard also reporting similar disruptions even earlier. TunnelBear has confirmed its own struggles with the bug, corroborating the widespread nature of the issue.
According to Proton VPN, the situation is particularly perplexing for users. “In Android 16, after updating a VPN app, the system may end up in a state where the VPN app is no longer able to reach the internet. This ends up being very confusing for the users as they can’t connect using the VPN and then are unable to reach the internet since it is stuck in a connecting state/fail to connect,” the complaint on Google’s Issue Tracker elaborates.
Challenges in Resolution
This issue typically arises when users receive updates to their VPN apps through Google Play while the VPN is active. Unfortunately, simply restarting the VPN app does not rectify the problem, leaving users in a bind unless they resort to rebooting their devices or reinstalling the VPN entirely. Such measures may seem daunting, especially when no clear error message indicates the underlying issue.
Adding to the complexity, the bug appears to occur inconsistently, affecting only a small percentage of users at any given time. This sporadic nature makes it challenging for developers to diagnose and address the problem effectively, even as it continues to impact a significant number of users across various devices.
Despite the growing number of reports, Google has yet to provide a comprehensive acknowledgment or solution to the issue. The most recent communication on the matter, dated September 2025, indicated that the problem had been relayed to the appropriate teams, with updates promised when more information becomes available. In the absence of an official fix or timeline, users on Android 16 are advised to remain vigilant regarding their VPN performance, particularly following app updates.
