Reduced network performance through VPN connection

Environment

• Android Enterprise
• Third-party VPN app

Overview

You might notice a reduction in network speed on your device when using a VPN.

Cause

As part of Android’s design, third-party apps can’t use the kernel space. As a result, a third-party VPN app can’t utilize encryption/decryption hardware acceleration, causing reduced VPN network performance on the device.

Resolution

Starting with Android 11, the VpnManager class provides support for third-party apps to use the IKEv2 protocol with the IPsec module, which securely allows access to the kernel.

If a third-party VPN app supports IKEv2 using the VpnManager class, the data throughput will be increased.