What is the Android 16 VPN bug causing disconnections?

The Android 16 bug causes VPN applications to lose internet connectivity permanently after receiving a background app update, corrupting the operating system's network stack.

Which VPN providers are affected by the Android 16 bug?

Major VPN providers like Proton VPN, Mullvad, and Windscribe have flagged the Android 16 bug as it affects their services.

How can users fix VPN disconnections caused by the Android 16 bug?

Until Google releases a fix, users must either restart their Android device or uninstall and reinstall their VPN application to restore connectivity.

Home / Technology / Android 16 bug disconnects VPNs without warning

Android 16 bug disconnects VPNs without warning

19 Mar

•

Summary

Android 16 flaw causes VPN disconnections after app updates.
Google aware of bug for over seven months without a fix.
Users must restart devices or reinstall VPN apps to reconnect.

Android 16 bug disconnects VPNs without warning

Users of Android 16 are experiencing unexpected disconnections from their VPN services, a problem stemming from a flaw within the operating system itself. This bug triggers when a VPN app updates in the background, corrupting the network stack and preventing reconnection. Major VPN providers, including Proton VPN, Mullvad, and Windscribe, have reported the issue to Google, but a permanent fix has yet to be released despite the bug being known for over seven months.

Developers are unable to resolve the connectivity issues from their end, as the problem is deeply rooted in Android 16. This leaves users in a precarious position, potentially without VPN protection or entirely cut off from the internet if a kill switch is enabled. Workarounds currently involve drastic measures, such as restarting the entire device or completely uninstalling and reinstalling the VPN application.