OpenVPN Connect is the official OpenVPN client for Android, providing a secure and reliable VPN connection for your mobile device. This guide will walk you through setting up OpenVPN Connect with TorGuard's VPN service on your Android device.
Why Use OpenVPN on Android?
- Industry-standard encryption (AES-256)
- Works on all Android versions 4.0 and above
- Stable and reliable connections
- Battery-efficient implementation
- No root access required
Prerequisites
- Android device running Android 4.0 or later
- Active TorGuard VPN subscription
- Your TorGuard VPN username and password
- Internet connection to download the app and config files
Step 1: Install OpenVPN Connect
Download and install the OpenVPN Connect app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, tap "Open" to launch the app.
Alternative Download: If Google Play Store is not available, you can download the APK directly from the OpenVPN website.
Step 2: Generate Your OpenVPN Config File
Log in to your TorGuard client area and navigate to the config generator.
Configure the following settings:
- OS Type: Leave as default (Android/iOS)
- Location: Select your preferred server location
- Port: Choose from available ports (443 recommended for bypassing firewalls)
- Protocol: UDP (faster) or TCP (more reliable on unstable connections)
- Cipher: AES-256-GCM (recommended) or AES-128-CBC
Click "Generate Config" to download the .ovpn file to your device.
Step 3: Import Config File
Open the OpenVPN Connect app and tap the "FILE" tab at the bottom, then navigate to your Downloads folder where the .ovpn config file was saved.
Step 4: Select and Import Config
Locate your downloaded .ovpn file (e.g., "38.ovpn" or similar), select it, and tap "IMPORT" at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5: Configure Profile Details
On the import screen, enter the following information:
- Profile Name: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "TorGuard VPN USA")
- Username: Your TorGuard VPN username
- Save Password: Check this box for convenience
- Password: Your TorGuard VPN password
- Connect after import: Check if you want to connect immediately
Tap "ADD" in the top-right corner to save the profile.
Step 6: Grant VPN Permission
Android will display a permission request to create a VPN connection. This is a standard security feature. Tap "OK" to grant permission.
Step 7: Certificate Warning
You may see a warning about no client certificate being included. This is normal for password-based authentication. Tap "CONTINUE" to proceed.
Step 8: Connected!
Your VPN connection should now be established. You'll see connection statistics and a key icon in your Android status bar indicating an active VPN connection.
Managing Your Connection
Connection Controls
- Connect/Disconnect: Use the toggle switch on the main screen
- View Statistics: Tap on the connected profile to see data usage and connection time
- Change Servers: Import additional config files for different locations
- Auto-connect: Enable in Settings → Auto Connect on Launch
Advanced Settings
Battery Optimization
To ensure stable connections, especially on devices with aggressive battery optimization:
- Go to Android Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization
- Find OpenVPN Connect in the list
- Select "Don't optimize"
Seamless Tunnel
Enable "Seamless tunnel" in OpenVPN Connect settings to maintain VPN connection during network changes (WiFi to mobile data).
Kill Switch Behavior
Android's "Always-on VPN" feature acts as a kill switch:
- Go to Settings → Network & Internet → VPN
- Tap the gear icon next to OpenVPN Connect
- Enable "Always-on VPN" and "Block connections without VPN"
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Connection drops frequently | Disable battery optimization for OpenVPN Connect |
| Cannot import config file | Grant storage permissions to OpenVPN Connect |
| Authentication failed | Verify username/password; use VPN credentials, not account login |
| Slow speeds | Try UDP protocol, different ports, or closer server locations |
| Cannot access local network | Add route exceptions in profile settings |
Multiple Server Profiles
You can import multiple config files for different server locations:
- Generate configs for different countries/cities
- Create profiles for specific purposes (streaming, gaming, etc.)
- Switch between profiles with a single tap
- Rename profiles for easy identification
Security Tips
- Always verify you're connected before accessing sensitive data
- Use TCP protocol on restrictive networks (hotels, airports)
- Enable "Connect on demand" for automatic protection
- Regularly update the OpenVPN Connect app
- Consider using dedicated IPs for consistent access to services
For additional support or if you encounter any issues not covered here, please contact our support team. You can also explore our other mobile VPN guides for alternative setup methods.