,regionOfInterest=(1494,994)&hash=70d94cb64ca91b370fb014d3c3a11d5442ad4d8184155bed78b6af447a124f2a "142c61eb-aa7a-4a76-8c31-291d2fb97600.b897a347-b7c6-4a86-a7f0-22ff39dcb8b9.jpg")
A bug in Android 16 is causing VPN connections to unexpectedly fail, and Google has yet to issue a fix.
Multiple VPN providers, including Proton VPN and WireGuard, are warning about an unpatched flaw in Android 16 that affects devices system-wide – including Samsung smartphones running One UI 8. The bug can cause VPN apps to fail in the background, as reported by Sammobile. This issue underscores the critical role VPNs play in securing mobile connections for users worldwide.
Android 16 Bug Can Render VPN Apps Unusable
The issue stems from the network stack within Android 16. When it occurs – such as during an update to a VPN app while it’s running – the app can become non-functional in the background without notifying the user. Establishing VPN connections becomes impossible, and internet access is unreliable.
The problem has been known for months and repeatedly reported to Google, but a solution remains elusive. Currently, restarting the device or reinstalling the affected app often provides the only workaround, according to “Sammobile.”
,regionOfInterest=(1661,1133)&hash=6cffe5929eecbb416167b8770d68aa66a32ec51e1392f20e3661a4941e8169b3)
Understanding VPNs
“A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a virtual, non-public network. ‘Virtual’ means that the various finish devices in this network – unlike, for example, your home network – are not directly physically connected to each other or to a central router,” explains the Federal Office for Information Security.
A VPN establishes an encrypted connection over the public internet between two endpoints. All data between the end device, such as a smartphone, and the VPN server is protected. A VPN can obscure location and online identity by assigning the device a different IP address visible to websites.
