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Android 16 Bug Silently Breaks VPNs, Leaving Users Exposed

Providers say Android 16’s network stack bug can silently cut VPN protection after an app update.

Overview

  • Proton VPN, Mullvad, WireGuard and others report that all Android 16 devices, including Samsung Galaxy phones on One UI 8, are affected.
  • The failure often occurs when a VPN app is updated while active, leaving the client unusable in the background without alerts.
  • Users commonly see apps stuck on “connecting” or “failed to connect,” with the VPN unable to reach the internet and general access disrupted.
  • Vendors say restarting the app does not help, with only device reboots, reinstalling the VPN, or switching to another VPN profile temporarily restoring service.
  • Reports to Google date back to August–September 2025, yet there is no public response or fix, and providers urge users to avoid updating VPN apps while connected.