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How to use NymVPN in restricted regions or networks?

Updated

Some networks (workplaces, schools, public Wi-Fi, certain countries) actively interfere with VPN traffic. NymVPN ships with built-in anti-censorship features (QUIC transport, AmneziaWG) that defeat most network-level VPN blocks. If a connection is stuck, the fix is usually a single setting away.

Signs you're on a restricted network

  • NymVPN stays on "Connecting" for a long time.
  • It connects and immediately disconnects.
  • You can't reach the gateway list, or the connection never completes.
  • The app works on mobile data but not on the network you're on (or vice versa).

Step 1: Turn on QUIC transport mode

  1. Open the NymVPN app.
  2. Tap the Settings icon (⚙️).
  3. Tap Anti-censorship.
  4. Toggle QUIC to On.
  5. Go back and try to Connect again.

QUIC obfuscates your VPN connection to look like ordinary web traffic, which defeats the deep-packet-inspection signatures that most VPN blockers rely on. See What is QUIC transport mode in NymVPN? for the full mechanics.

Step 2: Try a different connection mode

  • Fast mode (AmneziaWG, 2-hop): the default and the right choice for most networks. AmneziaWG adds decoy packets to the WireGuard handshake to evade standard WireGuard-blocking signatures.
  • Anonymous mode (5-hop mixnet): more resilient on networks that aggressively block VPN traffic, since the mixnet's traffic patterns differ from typical VPN flows. Slower, but in some restrictive networks it's the only reliable option.

See What's the difference between NymVPN Fast and Anonymous mode?

Step 3: Switch networks if you can

  • Try mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, or vice versa.
  • Try a different Wi-Fi network. Hotel and public networks often have aggressive filtering that your home connection won't.
  • Wait a few minutes and try again. Some networks throttle or temporarily block new VPN connections.

If the app store is blocked in your region

If you can't download NymVPN from the App Store or Google Play in your region:

  • Android: download the APK directly from nym.com/download/android.
  • iOS: the App Store is the only supported distribution channel for iOS. If the App Store is blocked, try connecting through mobile data on a different network first, or contact support for alternatives in your region.
  • Linux, macOS, Windows: download installers directly from nymvpn.com/download, no app store required.

Country-specific notes

If the connection still fails

Contact Nym Support with:

  • Your NymVPN account ID (starts with n1)
  • The network type you're on (home Wi-Fi, mobile data, workplace, hotel, public Wi-Fi)
  • Your country / region
  • What you've already tried (QUIC, different mode, different network)
  • Connection or diagnostic logs from the app if available
⚠️ Important: Never share your 24-word access code with support. Your account ID (the n1... string) is what we need; the access code is yours alone.

The wider picture

Censorship resistance is core to Nym's mission. See Nym is building a private internet without walls for the active roadmap on resilient access for users in restrictive regions.

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