ProtonVPN 2.0 for Android Released with OpenVPN Support

As a result, ProtonVPN's Android users can now choose between using IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols.

ProtonVPN 2.0 for Android

ProtonVPN has updated its Android app and it now includes better connection stability and support for the most popular — and we think, the best — OpenVPN protocol. As a result, ProtonVPN’s Android users can now choose between using IKEv2 or OpenVPN by installing version 2.0 of the app.

In practical terms, the addition of another protocol to the Android app makes it more difficult for ProtonVPN to be blocked or censored and sets a new foundation for additional work the company has planned in 2020 to make ProtonVPN even more censorship-resistant.

A major update…

Because it packs major feature improvements, ProtonVPN 2.0 for Android has been released as a brand new app, meaning the existing app will not automatically update to the new one. So if you use ProtonVPN, you’ll have to install it from scratch — which is really not a problem.

When doing so, you should first disconnect from ProtonVPN before installing the new app from the Play Store. Afterward, you can uninstall the old app that will no longer be supported.

With the release of the new Android app, ProtonVPN said it will be dropping support for Android 4, which is outdated and no longer supported by Google. This move will also help the company to develop ProtonVPN faster.

Why OpenVPN matters

Offering OpenVPN alongside the existing IKEv2 protocol provides users with greater choice and can adapt how they use the services depending on their needs. For example, IKEv2 has traditionally been seen as the go-to VPN protocol for mobile devices because it offers faster connections. This also makes it ideal for streaming and gaming.

However, IKEv2’s reliance on User Datagram Protocol (UDP) can be a weakness. For one thing, public WiFi providers looking to limit traffic on their networks will be more likely to limit IKEv2 access. Governments and ISPs trying to block VPN access may also block all UDP traffic because it is not necessary for regular web browsing.

In contrast, OpenVPN supports both UDP and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), making it more effective at circumventing blocks placed on VPNs by ISPs or local networks.

Overall, more VPN protocols give you more choice, and that’s always a plus in our book.

The road ahead

ProtonVPN said that the new Android app is just a start. Coming soon are additional improvements — including enabling single sign-on (SSO) for both the ProtonMail and ProtonVPN apps (and any other future apps, such as ProtonCalendar and ProtonDrive).

In the meantime, if you still don’t have a VPN app on your devices, perhaps you want to give ProtonVPN a try. Or go for some other service. It’s your call.

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Pros

Cons

  • Easy to use apps for popular platforms
  • Works with Netflix and Hulu
  • Dedicated servers for Tor and torrenting
  • There's a free version of the service
  • No live chat support
  • Doesn't work well with BBC iPlayer