VPN when not on home network

VPN
1

Any reason one should not use the Firewalla VPN all the time? I’ve been using OpenVPN this past week when we’ve been out of town. Performance has been very good, generally speaking.

Is there a way to create an automated iOS shortcut to turn on VPN when disconnected from home wifi network and turn off when connected to it again?

2

Really no issue always having VPN back to home always on.
Not sure which Firewalla you have, but if you have WireGuard as an option, the WireGuard app has the option to automatically turn on and off based on Wi-Fi and/or cellular in iOS.

3

Only possible issue is if you have significantly slower upload speeds, like I do with cable internet. That then creates a significant bottleneck when using your home internet as your ‘full time’ internet when away from home.

4

I configured my daughter’s phone to always connect to VPN with a vpn killswitch. Additionally she is not able to disable it as I enforce apps using gsuite. So that way I can still restrict her usage even while being remote.

5

Also it depends on what you use. If you do say a lot of Zoom or Teams call, it is recommended to not go through VPN or find a way to do Split tunneling. Else, you may have performance issues.

6

Are you meaning you’re using openvpn the vpn provider, or the vpn protocol? There’s no real reason to use ovpn as a protocol as a local server, when you could use wireguard instead as it’s faster and less resource intensive.

There’s no real need to create a shortcut, as you can still toggle the vpn server when remote through the app.

7

Use wireguard vice openvpn. It’s much faster.

If you use the VPN while you’re connected to your own wifi, it won’t cause any problems, it’ll just be slower than what you would otherwise get.

8

I use Wireguard VPN to.my FWG everytime I am not at home.

9

the WireGuard app has the option to automatically turn on and off based on Wi-Fi and/or cellular in iOS.

Is it only for iOS and not android? My wireguard android app does not have this function.

10

Sweet! Will check it out.

11

Is this the on demand option in the iOS app?

12

Hi,

I’ve tried this in the past, but my WireGuard setting for the function doesn’t persist- it toggles itself off. Suggestions? iOS version BTW.

thanks.

13

Thanks. I have Fios 1gb internet. Haven’t noticed an issue. In fact, have seen speeds faster with vpn compared to not on slower networks.

14

You can use an app called tasker on android to achieve this, as long as “allow remote control apps” is checked in wireguard settings

15

There is an Android app called VPN Client Pro that offers an auto-connect feature, although it does require a lifetime paid subscription around US$12. It works very well in my experience, and also supports OpenVPN. Of course, you can do this for free with apps like Tasker, as was mentioned, but VPN Client Pro makes it very easy.

16

Edit the connection and at bottom you can set wifi and cellular options.

Edit: after set options, turn on the on-demand

17

I would say reach out to support to see why that is happening.

18

Yes indeed. I use /r/AutomateUser/ which is more or less the same. I just thought we could do the same thing without using a third-party app.