Proton VPN has recently made a significant update to its Android application by discontinuing support for OpenVPN, a traditional open-source VPN protocol. This decision is part of a strategic shift that fully embraces newer protocols, including WireGuard and Proton VPN’s proprietary Stealth protocol. The company has stated that users who still require OpenVPN can manually configure it using third-party applications.
What is included in the update?
The latest update eliminates OpenVPN from the settings of Proton VPN’s Android app, meaning it is no longer an available option for users. Proton VPN has justified this move by highlighting the protocol’s outdated nature and relatively slower performance compared to modern alternatives. In a recent support announcement, the company characterized OpenVPN as “old, slow, and bloated” when juxtaposed with the efficiency of WireGuard and Stealth.
By removing OpenVPN, Proton VPN has successfully reduced the app’s size by approximately 36%, which not only conserves storage space but also enhances download speeds. The company asserts that the newer protocols, such as WireGuard and Stealth, provide quicker and more efficient connections while still upholding comparable security standards. Notably, Proton VPN had previously removed OpenVPN from its Apple applications and reported that less than 1% of its Android users were utilizing the protocol before this change.
What if I use OpenVPN?
While OpenVPN has been removed from the Android app, Proton VPN has confirmed that its servers will still support OpenVPN connections. Users who depend on this protocol can configure it manually through third-party applications like OpenVPN for Android or OpenVPN Connect. However, it is important to note that not all existing configurations will remain functional. Proton VPN has indicated that manual OpenVPN configuration files downloaded prior to September 2023 are no longer supported. Users still utilizing those older files must download updated configuration files before February 28, 2026, as legacy configurations will cease to work after that date.
This transition is part of Proton VPN’s broader initiative to modernize its infrastructure and phase out older protocol implementations within its official applications. For the majority of Android users, the company recommends utilizing the built-in WireGuard or Stealth protocols, both of which continue to receive full support within the app.
