I can't set up a VPN connection over 5G on my iPhone 13 (mini)

Question

Level 1

7 points

I can't set up a VPN connection over 5G on my iPhone 13 (mini)

I've used both providers (Vodafone, T-Mobile) and both offer 5G, but if I'm connected to any of their networks I'm not able to set up a VPN connection. This happens when I try to set up a connection via Express VPN and it happens with NordVPN too.

I've already tried all available protocols (Lightway UPD / TCP and IKEv2) and none of them work over 5G.

If I switch to a WiFi connection both providers are able to set up a VPN connection without any issues and via all mentioned protocols.

I've also tried switching the VPN on and off in the system setting. Didn't help.

So, it's not the SIM-card provider and it's not the VPN provider.

Now I'm in doubt if this is an iOS issue or a 5G issue in general.

iPhone 13 Mini

Posted on Nov 3, 2021 6:04 AM

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Answer 1

Paul Harts Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 1, 2021 4:45 AM in response to Paul Harts

This issue has been solved!

I didn't change anything, but since iOS 15.1.0 I can set up a VPN via the 5G network without experiencing any problems.

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Answer 2

Nov 3, 2021 12:41 PM in response to Paul Harts

Contact the VPN provider for issues with their service and apps.

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Answer 3

Paul Harts Author

Level 1

7 points

Nov 3, 2021 12:25 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Because the government in the jurisdiction I’m in can decrypt the messages at will and therefore I need to be able to hop jurisdictions. Also: although the message might be encrypted, I don’t want my provider to see where I’m going to.

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Answer 4

Dec 1, 2021 6:26 AM in response to Paul Harts

Paul Harts wrote:

Also, if a VPN is so useless, why is it forbidden in the countries I travel to?

VPNs can be used to obscure your location, thus enabling you to access sites and services that might be restricted in certain countries. That doesn't mean it protects you from hackers.

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Answer 5

Dec 1, 2021 7:37 AM in response to Paul Harts

Paul Harts wrote:

Also, if a VPN is so useless, why is it forbidden in the countries I travel to?

All governments seek compliance, and rendering some tech illegal is a longstanding means to achieve the political and social goals of some government leaderships. I'd suggest avoiding violations within those countries that forbid VPNs, too.

Well beyond discussions of VPN security, I'd be cautious about bringing devices in and out of places where VPNs are prohibited.

As for commercial VPNs, those are ideal platforms for data collection services for both private and for government entities—telcos and security agencies have long had cozy relationships in many countries, too—and a commercial VPN provider is a perfect collection point for harvesting user data.

Research some of the commercial providers, as well. Some providers reportedly have ties to folks that have previously provided adware and related dreck, and/or with links to signals intelligence entities, and some of the provides have subsequently been caught logging traffic that supposedly wasn't being logged.

If you are unable to secure your traffic with TLS (which is an end-to-end VPN), then Algo or Streisand can be an alternative to a commercial provider, providing you with some control over the VPN server.

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Answer 6

Paul Harts Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 2, 2021 2:15 AM in response to MrHoffman

Obviously, if you use a VPN, it should be headquartered in a safe country. I'm fully aware that the majority (?) of VPN providers are not safe at all and I'm fully aware that many of them have too cosy relationships with the government that is ruling them.

Thanks.

I never use the VPN in countries that forbid the use, however, being able to do so in some kind of worst-case scenario gives me peace of mind.

And in my home country, I'll have to accept that my government is the EU champion eavesdropping and I just don't want it to make it too easy for them.

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Answer 7

Paul Harts Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 3, 2021 4:19 AM in response to KiltedTim

Hi,

This is going totally off-topic, so let's close it. I'm happy my VPN works properly on the 5G networks, this is not the site to debate which country is "good" or which country is "bad". Let's close it with: I travel a lot.

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