Android 7.0+ and a 24.8 MB install
- Updated: September 25, 2026
- Version: 5.20.39.0
- Size: 24.8 MB
- Android: 7.0+
- Developer: Proton Technologies AG
Google Play data as of September 26, 2026
What ProtonVPN 5.20.39.0 changes
Released on September 25, 2026, this looks like a maintenance update: bugs fixed, things running smoother.
Server choice and the Connected screen
ProtonVPN creates a system VPN connection on Android and routes traffic through a selected server. Websites see the server address, while data between the phone and the VPN server travels through an encrypted tunnel. This can help on public networks, but a Connected indicator does not prevent phishing, malicious files or excessive app permissions.
Create the Android VPN profile
On first connection, Android asks permission to configure a VPN. A key symbol then appears in the status bar as the normal indicator of an active tunnel. Root access is not required.
Android normally supports one active system VPN per user profile. A local-VPN ad blocker, corporate VPN or another service can conflict with ProtonVPN. Disconnect the competing VPN before investigating a connection problem.
What the free Proton VPN plan includes
The free plan needs no sign-up, so you can connect with one tap right after installing. There is no data cap and no speed limit on free servers. The trade-off is choice: free servers are located in 10 countries.
A kill switch and DNS leak protection are part of the free version too. So is the no-logs policy that Proton applies to every plan. The free tier is a simple way to test the app on your usual networks before paying.
Nearby servers are often faster
Quick Connect chooses a server automatically, but performance depends on more than distance. Server load, your provider’s routing and current network quality all affect latency. For calls and games, compare nearby locations instead of choosing the most distant server.
Use the same speed test before and after enabling the VPN. A tunnel cannot repair packet loss on an already unstable Wi-Fi connection. Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data may briefly interrupt a session while the app establishes a new route.
Protection when a connection drops
Always-on VPN and blocking connections without VPN help prevent apps from connecting directly if the tunnel becomes unavailable. Traffic is paused until the VPN reconnects, so a temporary loss of internet access is expected with these stricter settings.
Hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi may first require a captive-portal sign-in. If that page will not load, temporarily disconnect the VPN, complete the network sign-in and reconnect the tunnel promptly. Avoid leaving the VPN disabled afterward.
What Proton VPN Plus adds
The paid plan opens more than 20,000 servers in over 140 countries, with speeds of up to 10 Gbps on some of them. One subscription covers up to 10 devices at the same time. Plans on Google Play are listed between $9.99 and $119.88 per item.
Paid features include the NetShield ad and tracker blocker and Secure Core, a multi-hop mode against network-based attacks. Servers built for P2P and file sharing are also included. Split tunnelling is listed among the paid features as well.
Use split tunnelling selectively
Split tunnelling lets selected apps bypass the VPN. This can help with local devices, casting to a television or services such as Netflix that reject data-centre addresses, but excluded traffic is no longer protected by the tunnel. Avoid excluding an entire browser just to access one website.
After changing the protocol or server, check the external IP address and DNS behaviour, then test your usual websites and video calls in apps like Zoom. Encryption protects the connection to the VPN server; it does not make suspicious pages safe or replace Android updates, two-factor authentication and careful address checks.
Open source apps and outside audits
Proton publishes the app code, so anyone can review how it works. The company says its apps are independently audited by security experts. It uses AES-256 and 4096-bit RSA encryption.
The same account works on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux. Free extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Brave and Opera. A browser extension protects only that browser, while the Android app covers the whole phone.
