Proton VPN’s most useful “hacks” are settings that make routine connections easier to manage, control which traffic uses the VPN, and reduce the chance that traffic escapes during a disconnect. The right choices depend on your device, app version, and plan: Proton documents feature differences across platforms, so check its current plan comparison and the linked platform instructions before relying on a feature.
1. Save recurring connections as profiles
If you regularly use different VPN setups, save them as profiles rather than rebuilding each connection manually. You might create one for a preferred country, another for a Secure Core route, and a third for a protocol you use often. Proton documents profiles on Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Android; available settings differ by device.
In the app, open the profiles area, create a profile, choose the connection settings available on your device, and save it. Pin a frequently used profile or make it the default if your platform offers that option. See Proton’s profile instructions for the exact controls.
2. Use split tunneling to make deliberate exceptions
Split tunneling lets you decide which apps or addresses use the VPN and which connect outside it. In include mode, only selected traffic goes through the VPN; in exclude mode, selected traffic bypasses it while other traffic uses the VPN. That exception changes your privacy boundary, so choose apps and addresses carefully.
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Proton lists split tunneling for Windows, the Linux GUI, macOS, Android, its browser extension, and Android TV, with different controls and limitations. Some changes require reconnecting, and Linux guidance may require restarting affected apps after you connect. Check the instructions for your platform at Proton’s split-tunneling guide; do not assume a setting takes effect immediately or behaves identically everywhere.
3. Choose the kill switch behavior that fits your needs
A kill switch helps prevent internet traffic from continuing outside the VPN if the connection drops. Proton’s standard mode blocks traffic after an accidental VPN disconnect. Advanced mode permits internet access only while Proton VPN is connected, creating a stricter lockout that can also make it harder to sign in or use local-network devices when the VPN is unavailable.
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Choose a mode with its trade-off in mind, and review Proton’s platform-specific caveats. Behavior varies by operating system; the documentation also notes Apple DNS behavior and local-network access limitations. Follow Proton’s kill-switch instructions for your device rather than assuming the same controls or effects apply on every platform.
4. Set NetShield to the blocking level you want
NetShield’s app controls let eligible users select malware-only blocking or broader blocking for ads and trackers. The broader option may suit someone who wants DNS-based filtering for those categories, while malware-only is a narrower choice. NetShield is not a substitute for endpoint security or comprehensive browser content blocking.
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On Android 10 or later, a custom Private DNS setting can take precedence over NetShield. If your aim is to use NetShield, set Android’s Private DNS to Off or Automatic, then check the app’s NetShield control. Proton explains the setting and its limits in its NetShield guide.
5. Use Secure Core when that routing choice matters to you
Secure Core is an optional routing choice that you can save in a profile, making it easier to reconnect with that preference. The available destination and middle-country options depend on your platform and destination. Choose it because you specifically want that route, not on an assumption that it will be faster: no speed comparison is established here.
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See Proton’s Secure Core explanation for the feature and the profile guide for saving a setup on supported apps.
6. Verify plan and platform eligibility before depending on a feature
Feature access is not uniform. Proton’s plan information identifies NetShield, Secure Core, and split tunneling as features associated with paid plans, while eligibility and implementation can vary with the platform and current terms. Check the live Proton VPN plan comparison and the feature’s device-specific documentation before building a workflow around it; avoid relying on an old plan description.
7. On Linux, choose the package with your needed features in mind
Proton says its Snap package lacks some features available in native packages. Its Linux documentation also describes distribution-specific availability for split tunneling. Before installing or changing packages, check the current Linux setup instructions for your distribution and the features you intend to use. If you change a split-tunneling setup, follow the documented reconnect and app-restart steps rather than assuming the change applies instantly.
8. Consider router setup only after checking client support
A VPN router can cover devices that do not run Proton’s app, but the router must support OpenVPN or WireGuard in client mode. Many ISP-provided routers may not support VPN configurations, and flashing firmware can be difficult. Router processor capacity affects speed; changing VPN servers can require configuration edits, and app features such as NetShield or split tunneling may not be available at router level.
A VPN on the router does not encrypt the device-to-router Wi-Fi hop or local Bluetooth connections. Continue securing Wi-Fi and devices themselves. Check Proton’s router setup guide for compatibility and configuration details before choosing this approach.
9. Treat platform differences as part of every setup
A feature name does not guarantee identical behavior on desktop, mobile, and other supported devices. Android Private DNS can supersede NetShield, while kill-switch controls and limitations vary by platform. Split-tunneling support also differs across Proton’s apps and extensions. Use the support article for your exact device alongside the relevant tip above, especially before relying on an exception or fail-closed behavior.
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Some settings need an extra action before they take effect. Proton’s split-tunneling guidance calls for reconnecting in some cases, and its Linux guidance may require restarting affected apps after the VPN connects. After changing a setting, follow the steps for your platform and confirm the intended apps or traffic behave as expected; do not infer that a saved toggle has already changed an active connection.
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