WiFi hotspot with VPN enabled

id570

Hello GrapheneOS,

Any plans to add VPN support for WiFi hotspot in the future? It would be a game-changer for user privacy.

I'd love to use my mobile as a WiFi hotspot with VPN enabled for a more private connection on all my devices. I'm know this can be achieved through rooting, and ROMs like Havoc-OS have this feature.

It'd be fantastic if GrapheneOS could offer this feature, perhaps with a VPN kill switch option, ensuring worry-free, always-private internet access on my all devices while traveling.

de0u

id570 This has been requested before and is issue #30. You can sign up to receive updates via GitHub. Please avoid adding comments to the issue, but it's fine to use one of the reactions available at the top.

id570

de0u

So, the talk about adding VPN support for the WiFi hotspot has been around since 2019 (issue #30). The team says it's a bit tricky because of how VPNs work with different user profiles.

I get the privacy thing, but users really want an easy way to use a VPN on all their connected devices. The worry about grouping traffic makes sense, but maybe there's a way to balance things for users.

Since it's been a few years, and more people want a smooth and private connection, maybe it's worth a second look? GrapheneOS rocks for privacy, and this could make it even better for everyday users.

other8026

id570 maybe it's worth a second look?

I can't speak for the project, but based on my time reading stuff on here and in the Matrix chatrooms, this is a fairly common request. So, yes, it's a desired feature, so it's possible the project will eventually add it.

It is more likely to be added if someone in the community steps up to add the feature and then commit to supporting their implementation.

[deleted]

I don't think it's ever going to be implemented.

After 4 months this feature request will complete its 5 years.

If they had the "intention" to implement it they would have done it till now.

id570

@[deleted] I've noticed that's feedback might not be heard, especially regarding features like WiFi hotspot VPN, app lock, and mobile format after wrong PIN attempts. the explanations given by team why not added these features is a bit technical not easily understandable. @GrapheneOS I wish for more openness to user opinions.

@GrapheneOS please considering these features, even as optional, could enhance user satisfaction. Collaborating with the community, including 3rd party contributions, might create a more inclusive environment.

other8026

I disagree that the feature request issue being open for a long time means they simply won't add the feature in the future.

First of all, the issue is still open. A closed issue can mean "no" (though I've seen them change their minds in the past on those as well).

Second of all, look at one feature request that many wouldn't stop asking for and it seemed by many that it would never happen: call recording. There are entire threads on this forum where people wouldn't stop arguing about the feature. But, suddenly, it was added, and I believe it was added by someone in the community, not one of the project members (though I could be remembering wrong).

So, my points boil down to two things: don't assume a feature will never be added and realize it's an open source project. Contributions by the community are sometimes necessary for certain features to be added.

proBro

I got really surprised today when I noticed that my laptop was split tunneled when hot-spotting always on VPN active in the phone.

Found this thread just now.
Issue 30 mentioned above seems to be closed.

(It would also be fantastic to be able to set split tunnel per app.)

1Dragoon

Been googling for this and I found many threads reference the same issue, but it appears to be deleted. Is there any movement on this?

de0u

1Dragoon Is there any movement on this?

I don't speak for the GrapheneOS developers, but I suspect it's not a good use of their time to post monthly "We are still not working on this" for the many things they are not working on each month. For this particular feature request, I suspect that inquiries will not result in progress. It is possible that high-quality code contributions might. But it's hard to imagine how repeated queries will.