Struggling to connect to a VPN on your Android phone? You're not alone.
A frustrating new bug in Android 16, the latest version of the mobile operating system, has been silently breaking VPN apps for seven months now, and Google still hasn't provided a fix for it.
The problem is causing those who've invested in the best VPN deals to see these celebrated apps stop working in the background without giving you any warning or error message. With millions of Britons now relying on VPNs every day, even a split-second connection drop can be enough to expose your real IP address and online activity.
Multiple major VPN providers have been shouting about this issue since last summer, but the tech giant hasn't rolled out a fix. Proton VPN put it bluntly: "The bug corrupts Android's network stack at the system level after a VPN update, causing users to blame their VPN provider."
1/4
— Proton VPN (@ProtonVPN) March 18, 2026
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 👇 🧵
Now millions of Android users are potentially vulnerable without even realising something's gone wrong. This is important if you're trying to protect yourself from some of the recent scam attempts occurring across these devices — like hackers being able to read your texts.
This isn't just affecting one VPN service provider either. Mullvad was first to flag the problem to Google back in August 2025, with WireGuard reporting it around the same time.
Proton VPN followed up in September, and TunnelBear has confirmed the same headache.
However, arguably the most frustrating part for these companies is that the issue is happening deep within Android itself, so these VPN companies can't actually fix it on their end.
A Proton VPN developer asked for an update late last year, pointing out that "it's not something we VPN developers are in a position to work around, as the corruption happens at the lower Android level."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The problem arises when your VPN app gets an update from the Google Play Store while it's still running, and an error occurs with Android's network system. Only Google has the access needed to properly diagnose and repair the damage – and they're the ones staying quiet.
When the bug was first reported back in August 2025, a Google representative had only said they "don't see anything unusual."
A month later, the company acknowledged it was looking into the matter and promised to share more information down the line.
The update has yet to arrive.
Some of the best VPNs can be used across your Windows, Mac, Linux devices, and more
|PEXELS
So what can you actually do if your VPN suddenly stops connecting? Unfortunately, the usual tricks won't help here – simply restarting the app does nothing.
Your best options are to completely reboot your phone or uninstall and reinstall the VPN app entirely. Some users have also had luck temporarily switching to a different VPN profile, then switching back.
Alternatively, you can also navigate to another device to protect your online activity altogether. Some of the best cheap VPN deals or even free VPNs can be used on your Mac, Windows PC, Linux, and more.
Until Google finally sorts this out, it's worth keeping a close eye on your VPN's behaviour after any updates.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. | UNSPLASH What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. VPNs can conceal your online activities by routing traffic through an encrypted tunnel that connects to secure servers worldwide.
The most reliable cheap VPNs or even free VPNs employ the same encryption standard as governments in the United Kingdom and the United States, ensuring that even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) connected to Wi-Fi cannot record the websites you visit, the duration of your sessions on each site, or your current location. This protection extends to advertisers, trackers, and hackers, preventing them from monitoring your online behaviour.
Furthermore, personal information entered into online forms and sensitive data transmitted to and from your device will be safeguarded from hackers using strong encryption provided by a VPN.
More From GB News