LAN bypass lets you reach other devices on your local network, such as printers, smart TVs, casting devices, and file servers, while your VPN connection stays active. Without it, the VPN tunnel carries all your traffic, which can make local devices unreachable. The toggle is available in the app Settings on every platform: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Why local devices stop working when a VPN is on
When NymVPN is connected, your traffic is routed through the encrypted tunnel rather than your local network. That is exactly what you want for everything on the internet, but it means requests to devices sitting next to you, like a printer at 192.168.1.50, can get swallowed by the tunnel too. LAN bypass tells the app to let local network traffic flow directly while everything else stays protected.
How to turn LAN bypass on or off
- Open the NymVPN app.
- Go to Settings.
- Toggle LAN bypass on or off.
The setting works the same way on all platforms.
When to use it, and when not to
Good reasons to enable it
- Printing to a network printer while connected.
- Casting or streaming to a smart TV, Chromecast, or similar device.
- Reaching a NAS, file server, or another computer on your home network.
When to leave it off
On networks you do not control, such as public Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels, and airports, leave LAN bypass off. Enabling it allows direct communication between your device and others on the same local network, which is exactly the kind of exposure you are using a VPN to avoid. Turn it on at home, off when you are out.
Related questions
Does LAN bypass weaken my VPN protection?
Your internet traffic remains fully routed through the tunnel either way. LAN bypass only affects traffic to private local-network addresses, so websites and online services never see your real IP because of it. The tradeoff is purely local: devices on the same network can communicate with yours directly.
I enabled it and still cannot reach my device. What now?
Disconnect and reconnect the VPN after changing the setting, and confirm both devices are on the same network (a guest Wi-Fi network is often isolated from the main one). If it still fails, contact Nym Support with your platform and app version.
Does this affect the kill switch?
No. The kill switch protects your internet traffic if the VPN drops, and it operates independently of LAN bypass. See Does NymVPN offer Always-on/Kill switch features on Android?