The iOS VPN Leak Apple Doesn’t Talk About

How Your “Kill Switch” Might Not Be Protecting You

At Unshakled, we care deeply about your digital privacy. That means we pay attention to the tools that people rely on to stay safe—especially Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). VPNs are supposed to create a secure tunnel between your device and the internet, hiding your real IP address and shielding your activity from prying eyes. But what if we told you that on iPhones and iPads, that tunnel might be leaking?

The Risk: VPNs Letting Traffic Slip Through

Most privacy-focused VPNs have a “kill switch” feature. This tool is meant to block all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects. In theory, it prevents any data from leaking out in an unprotected state.

But here’s the truth: on iOS devices (like iPhones and iPads), Apple doesn’t allow apps full control over network traffic. Even when a kill switch is enabled, some apps and system services can bypass the VPN tunnel entirely. That means your device might be sending data using your real IP address—without your knowledge.

This isn’t a bug in the VPN apps themselves. It’s a restriction built into iOS, and it affects all VPN providers. Some, like IVPN and others, have gone so far as to remove the kill switch feature from their iOS apps after discovering that it doesn’t work reliably. Others have chosen not to implement certain iOS settings, like includeAllNetworks, because they break core functionality or lead to situations where your phone can’t even connect to the internet without a reboot.

Why This Matters

If you’re using a VPN to stay anonymous, avoid surveillance, or protect sensitive research or communication, these leaks are more than just a technical problem—they’re a breach of trust. You thought you were covered. You weren’t.

For activists, journalists, whistleblowers, or anyone simply valuing privacy, that’s not acceptable.

What You Can Do

Here are a few options to reduce your exposure:

Use a VPN on a different device. Android (GrapheneOS), Linux, and desktop platforms like macOS and Windows offer more reliable VPN protection with kill switches that actually work. Please note there are other considerations for Windows specifically from a privacy perspective.
Consider a hardware VPN or router-based setup. These force all traffic through the tunnel—no exceptions. It adds complexity, but it’s the most secure option for home use.
Educate yourself. Apple is great at marketing privacy, but they’ve yet to fix this long-standing issue. Stay informed so you can make better choices.
Write to Apple. If privacy matters to you, let them know. Real change will require pressure from users.

Final Thoughts

Privacy shouldn’t be optional. When people turn on a VPN and enable a kill switch, they expect their data to stay inside that tunnel. Anything less is misleading—and dangerous.

At Unshakled, we believe in transparency, user rights, and building tools you can trust. We’ll keep advocating until privacy isn’t just a promise—it’s a guarantee.