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How to Enable Android VPN Always-on?

Maverick Updated on Nov 18, 2024 Filed to: MDM

Android VPN Always-on is a powerful feature. Once enabled, the Android device will always connect to the internet using the designated VPN.

Using a VPN has numerous benefits, including privacy, security, and scalability. Consumers can easily set the Always-on VPN Android feature through the settings on their phone upon subscribing to a VPN app.

As detailed in this article, enterprises may more easily set up this feature for multiple company-issued devices through an MDM.

1How can consumers enable Android VPN Always-on?

Consumers or individual employees can easily activate Android VPN Always-on by following the steps below:

If you do not already have a VPN, go to the Google Play Store, download your preferred VPN, and sign up for an account(Ensure your chosen VPN supports the Android VPN Always-on feature—not all do).
Go to Settings on your device.

Proceed to VPN, occasionally under "Connections", depending on your device.

Your installed VPN should appear here. Click on the gear icon beside its name.

On the settings page for your VPN, toggle Always-on VPN, which will ensure your device connects to the internet through the designated VPN.

There are generally three types of consumers when it comes to VPNs.

Some do not see any benefit in using a VPN
Others see the value in its occasional use
A minority are determined to set their VPN to be always on.

The first two groups may perceive the last group as overly paranoid, but their thinking is, in fact, sensible. The various threats that exist online, including everyone from hackers to data thieves, are always on the attack. In 2023 alone, there were 343 million victims of cyber attacks and a 72% increase in data breaches since 2021.

In this environment of ever-present digital danger, it does not make sense for consumers to use VPNs only occasionally. They should regularly use VPNs, which is most straightforward with the Android Always-on VPN feature.

Once you go through the five steps outlined above, users no longer have to consciously think about how they connected to the internet. Automatically routed and protected through a VPN, they can participate in their online life as they usually would, now just much safer and more secure.

2How can businesses enable Android VPN Always-on for multiple devices?

The easiest way to configure Android VPN Always-on for multiple company-issued devices is through an MDM, which provides several key advantages.

The steps to setting up an Android VPN Always-on with an MDM

After an organization has signed up for an MDM like AirDroid Business, there are nine simple steps to configure an Always-on VPN Android.

1. Under Policy and Kiosk, create a new Config File or edit an existing one.

2. On the menu for Policy and Kiosk Config Files, go to General Settings.
3. On the General Settings screen, scroll down to the section for VPN Settings.
4. Under Select the VPN for the "Always-on VPN" feature, select your preferred VPN from the drop-down menu.
Note:
- a. If no VPN apps appear, click Add App. You can then add a VPN from three different options: the installed apps on the device, the organization's app library, or its managed Google Play Store.
- b. The chosen app must also support the Always-on VPN Android feature.
5. The IT manager can also toggle on Lock down VPN, which prevents users from connecting to the internet on company-issued devices if there is an issue with the selected VPN.
6. Click next and set a name for the Profile. The IT manager can also set a security code, which enables users to delete a Policy and Kiosk Config File or exit its configurations on a particular device. Choose Save and Apply to implement the Always-on VPN Android feature to the Config File.

7. Under Policy and Kiosk Config Files, the IT manager can select which devices or groups the newly updated policy applies to. To do so, go to Apply Config File to the following devices/groups and click Add.

8. A pop-up box will appear with the different groups at the organization. The IT manager can select an entire group by checking the box to the left of its name. The IT manager can also click on the right arrow to see the individual devices within a group and make only a selection.

9. Upon choosing the relevant phones, select OK. A confirmation will appear—All Changes Saved—indicating that the Config File, including the newly updated Always-on VPN Android, has been successfully applied to the chosen devices or groups.

The benefits of using an MDM for Always-on Android VPN setup

There are numerous benefits to using an MDM to configure Android VPN setup.

Flexibility — The MDM is VPN agnostic: IT teams can choose whichever VPN app works best for their organization. More importantly, there is no vendor lock-in. If a VPN performs poorly perhaps it has more downtime than advertised—the company can just as easily switch to another VPN. They can do a zero-touch deployment of the new VPN app and be live quickly.
Granularity — The security and privacy needs may differ dramatically across an organization. For example, developers may need higher security because they can access the organization's most sensitive networks. Subjecting marketing staff to the same VPN requirements would not make sense because it could affect their productivity. With an MDM, businesses could apply different VPN settings to different devices and groups. The company may want to apply Lock down VPN to developers, for example, enabling them to connect only to the internet via the company VPN, but not to other roles or departments.
Breadth — A company can implement its VPN with a stand-alone VPN app. A VPN, however, addresses only one element of an organization's security, privacy, and efficiency needs. In addition to the ability to configure an Always-on VPN Android, MDM solutions like AirDroid Business have numerous complimentary features, including remote access and control, remote wiping in the event of a lost or stolen device, geogating, and real-time alerts based on custom settings, such as usage thresholds. With an MDM, businesses can implement more control over devices.

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3Always-on VPN Android not working

If you have activated always-on VPN Android on your smartphone but find it not working, there may be several root causes.

Why Always-on VPN Android not working for consumers

Data limit — Some VPNs cap the amount of data you can consume through them. After consumers reach this point, the VPN provider may throttle the connection speed or automatically disconnect the user. Users should check if their VPN has any applicable data or usage limits.
Failed payment — Since most VPNs operate on a subscription basis, they may cut off service if the payment method fails. Users should check that their payment method is up to date and working.
Blocked VPN — It can be blocked at multiple levels. Some apps in sensitive sectors like banking may block a VPN. Certain networks may also prohibit VPNs, such as work connections. Finally, some services or markets may block VPNs because they do not want consumers to access geo-restricted content. Users should check if any of these prohibitions apply to them.
VPN downtime — Like all websites and apps, VPNs are also subject to downtime, often for maintenance. Users should inquire with their VPN provider whether any unscheduled or scheduled downtime is occurring.

These are the most common reasons a VPN may not work for consumers. Consumers should troubleshoot their device and VPN to determine the root cause so that they can get it fixed as fast as possible.

How Lock down VPN may interfere with Always-on VPN Android for businesses

If you configured your Always-on VPN Android through an MDM, Lock down VPN is a common reason it does not work.

On the VPN configuration screen, IT leaders can toggle the Lock down VPN option. When activated, Lockdown VPN forces all users to connect to the internet only through the organization's chosen VPN. This option may be ideal for organizations needing the highest security, privacy, and centralization levels.

There is a downside. If the VPN has issues, such as downtime for maintenance, users cannot connect to the internet. They will receive a message indicating they are offline until the VPN's problem is resolved. If these issues persist and affect worker productivity, organizations may want to explore VPN apps with higher uptime or turn off the option.

Turning off Lock down VPN is easy. IT managers must proceed to the screen to configure the VPN. Under VPN Settings, an option will read Lock down VPN. The IT manager should toggle this option off. Now, even if there is an issue with the VPN, the employee's device will still connect through the regular internet.

4What are the enterprise benefits of Always-on VPN Android?

There are numerous benefits for enterprises with Always-on VPN Android.

Data and network security

Companies are increasingly distributed. In addition to occasionally working from offices, employees work from homes, coworking spaces, cafes, coffee shops, and other public places. While this flexibility benefits work-life balance, it also comes at a cost: security.

When employees connect to a public network, such as a WiFi hotspot at a cafe, they expose their devices to various potential attacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks. Hackers could steal sensitive data from that person's device or use it as an entry point to access other parts of the organization's network.

With an Always-on VPN Android, businesses can get the best of both worlds: employees have the flexibility to work from anywhere while keeping the organization's data and network secure from threats.

Centralized network management and access

Many businesses use critical cloud-based resources, such as storage and computing. With an Always-on VPN Android, these businesses can ensure that employees can access these resources wherever they are.

These employees will need to be authenticated to access the VPN. IT teams can easily manage these permissions through a centralized access control. This centralization enables IT teams to monitor and control an organization's resources and who has access to them more efficiently. As importantly, IT teams can revoke permissions when necessary, such as when an employee resigns but still has company-issued devices.

Compliance

While security and privacy are essential to all industries, some sectors have stricter regulations. The healthcare industry must comply with guidelines like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) because hospitals, clinics, and other facilities handle sensitive patient data.

An Always-on VPN Android allows businesses in these highly regulated industries to more easily comply with the data security policies that are usually part of them. These regulations typically require encrypted communications at all times, which is precisely what an Always-on VPN Android will enable.

5Going forward with Android VPN Configurations

Setting up the Always-on VPN Android feature on individual devices is easy. Users must subscribe to a VPN app and then toggle the feature in their device settings. However, repeating this procedure for hundreds of phones would be impractical.

The best way to implement Android VPN Always-on for multiple company-issued phones is through an MDM. Key advantages to using an MDM for this task include the flexibility to choose different VPN apps, the ability to select which devices and groups to enroll, and the inclusion of additional value-added features.

Organizations that implement Always-on VPN Android will enjoy several benefits. They will improve network and data security, a function essential for remote and hybrid workforces. They will simplify network management and access control. They will adhere to the relevant encryption guidelines in their sector, such as HIPAA in healthcare.

In short, with an Android VPN Always-on implementation through an MDM, businesses will enjoy the safety, privacy, and scalability that their organization needs to thrive as an increasingly mobile and distributed workforce.

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Maverick

For more than 8 years, Maverick has dig deep into IT and mobile device management. He delivers practical MDM solution tips and strategies for various endpoints management.

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