Android's Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN keep NymVPN protecting your device automatically, with no unprotected fall-back. Turning on both is also what stops Android's "Disconnected from always-on VPN" notification.
How to enable it
- Open the NymVPN app on Android.
- Go to Settings and open Kill switch.
- When prompted, open Android's VPN settings for NymVPN.
- Enable Always-on VPN.
- Enable Block connections without VPN on the same screen.
With both on, your device comes up protected after every reboot, stays protected if the tunnel drops, and stops showing the disconnect notification.
What the two settings do
These are separate Android system settings that work together, on top of NymVPN's own always-on kill switch (which needs no setup). Always-on VPN starts NymVPN automatically, including after a reboot, and keeps the tunnel open, but on its own it still lets traffic through your normal connection if the tunnel drops. Block connections without VPN (lockdown mode) closes that gap: whenever the tunnel is down for any reason, no traffic leaves your device at all.
The "Disconnected from always-on VPN" notification
If you enable Always-on VPN but leave Block connections without VPN off, Android shows this notification whenever the tunnel briefly drops. It comes from Android, not NymVPN, and means your device was online without the VPN for a moment. Turn on Block connections without VPN and the gap, and the notification, disappear.
If the tunnel keeps dropping
That's usually Android battery optimisation pausing the app in the background. Exclude NymVPN from battery optimisation. If it continues, see What to do if the VPN connection fails?
Related questions
Does the kill switch work in both modes?
Yes, it works at the device level regardless of mode. See What's the difference between NymVPN Fast & Anonymous mode?
Will Always-on VPN drain my battery?
Only slightly. WireGuard, which powers Fast mode, is one of the most battery-efficient VPN protocols. See What is WireGuard?
Can I still reach local devices like printers?
Yes, with LAN bypass. See What is the LAN bypass option used for?
Some apps fail while reconnecting. Normal?
Yes, that's Block connections without VPN doing its job: traffic is blocked while the tunnel is down and resumes once NymVPN reconnects.