iPhones and iPads are known for their excellent security, but that doesn’t mean all apps automatically run through your VPN. By default, a VPN on iOS will route most — but not necessarily all — traffic. Certain system processes, app connections, or background services can sometimes bypass the VPN tunnel unless you specifically configure your device to enforce it.

If you want every single app on your iPhone or iPad — from Safari to email to messaging — to go through the VPN at all times, you’ll need to make sure your settings, protocol, and VPN provider support full-tunnel mode. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to force VPN for all iOS apps, why it matters, and which VPNs handle this best.

Why Force All Apps Through a VPN?

Even if you connect to a VPN, it’s possible that:

• Some apps use split tunneling by default (if supported by your VPN)
  
  

• Certain Apple services bypass VPN routing for stability or regional restrictions
  
  

• Background processes such as push notifications, iCloud sync, or system updates use your real IP
  
  

By forcing all traffic through your VPN, you gain:

1. Complete Privacy – No app sends data outside the encrypted tunnel.
   
   

2. Consistent Location Masking – Every connection appears to come from the same VPN server location.
   
   

3. Better Geo-Unblocking – Apps that check IP for location restrictions can’t detect your real network.
   
   

4. Protection Against ISP Monitoring – No app reveals direct traffic to your provider.
   
   

Step 1: Choose a VPN With a True Full-Tunnel Option

Not all VPNs on iOS enforce a true full tunnel. Some allow bypass lists or exclude certain connections for stability. To avoid leaks, you need a VPN that:

• Has no forced exceptions for Apple services
  
  

• Supports IKEv2 or OpenVPN with full routing
  
  

• Offers a kill switch to block all traffic if the VPN drops
  
  

• Has been independently audited for no-leak policies
  
  

Some good examples include Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, and IVPN. All of these providers have strong iOS apps with the ability to force all traffic through the tunnel.

Step 2: Install the VPN and Grant Network Permissions

On iOS, VPN apps require VPN configuration profiles to be installed before they can function.

1. Download the VPN app from the App Store.
   
   

2. Log in with your account.
   
   

3. Allow VPN configurations when prompted — this is necessary so iOS routes all traffic through the VPN interface.
   
   

4. If your VPN supports manual configuration via IKEv2 or OpenVPN profiles, you can also install these through the iOS Settings → General → VPN menu.
   
   

Step 3: Select the Right VPN Protocol

The VPN protocol affects both speed and security — and also determines whether the tunnel can truly handle all apps.

• IKEv2 – Excellent for mobile devices because it reconnects quickly when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
  
  

• OpenVPN UDP – Reliable and secure, but may consume more battery.
  
  

• WireGuard – Extremely fast, with good battery efficiency, but some rare iOS apps may detect and block it.
  
  

For maximum compatibility when forcing all traffic, IKEv2 or OpenVPN UDP is usually the safest choice.

Step 4: Disable Split Tunneling (Bypasser Features)

Many VPNs allow you to exclude certain apps from using the VPN — useful in some cases, but exactly the opposite of what we want here.

• In Surfshark, go to Settings → VPN Settings → Bypasser and ensure no apps are excluded.
  
  

• In NordVPN, disable Split Tunneling entirely in the settings.
  
  

• In ProtonVPN, ensure Always-On VPN is active without exceptions.
  
  

Step 5: Enable the iOS "Connect On Demand" or "Always-On VPN"

To keep all apps covered, you don’t want the VPN turning off automatically when idle.

For Connect On Demand:

1. Open Settings on iOS.
   
   

2. Go to General → VPN & Device Management → VPN.
   
   

3. Select your VPN profile.
   
   

4. Toggle Connect On Demand to ON.
   
   

For Always-On VPN (Supervised devices only):

• This feature forces all traffic through the VPN at all times, even before you unlock the device.
  
  

• You’ll need Apple Configurator or a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile to enable it.
  
  

Step 6: Test for Traffic Leaks

After enabling full-tunnel mode, test your setup:

1. Connect to your VPN.

2. Open Safari and visit ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com.

3. Check that:

   • All IP addresses belong to your VPN provider.

   • No DNS servers show your ISP.

   • WebRTC leaks are blocked (in browsers that support it).
     
     

4. Repeat the test in several apps, like email, social media, and streaming.
   
   

Step 7: Special Notes for Streaming and Gaming Apps

When forcing all apps through a VPN, some streaming or gaming services may block connections due to VPN detection. If that happens:

• Try switching servers or VPN protocols.

• Use a SmartDNS option for apps that don’t need full encryption (e.g., streaming on Apple TV).

• Keep in mind that Always-On VPN mode can block some multiplayer games that require direct P2P connections.
  
  

Which VPNs Handle This Best on iOS?

Here are a few iOS VPN apps known for enforcing a proper full tunnel:

Surfshark – Unlimited devices, WireGuard + IKEv2, built-in leak protection, NoBorders mode for restricted networks.
NordVPN – Double VPN, obfuscated servers, and “Always-On VPN” support.
ExpressVPN – TrustedServer tech, very reliable reconnections, strong for streaming.
ProtonVPN – Secure Core routing, strong no-logs policy, customizable connection profiles.
IVPN – Privacy-first, allows deep control over firewall rules for leak prevention.

Security Benefits of Full App VPN Routing

• No background leaks – Even Apple push notifications and iCloud backups are sent through the tunnel.

• Extra protection on public Wi-Fi – Hackers using rogue hotspots can’t sniff any unencrypted app traffic.

• Better consistency for remote work – Business apps and VoIP tools always use the same secure route.
  
  

Common Problems & Fixes

Battery Drain:
Full-tunnel VPN mode keeps the VPN active even when idle. To reduce battery impact:

• Use WireGuard protocol for efficiency.

• Avoid unnecessary long-distance servers.
  
  

App Login Issues:
Some banking or payment apps may block VPN connections. You can temporarily disable the VPN for that app if needed — but remember, this defeats the purpose of full-tunnel security.

Slow Speeds:
If forcing all apps slows your connection:

• Switch to a closer server location.

• Use UDP instead of TCP where possible.

• Try WireGuard for higher throughput.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Forcing all apps through a VPN on iOS is one of the best ways to ensure true privacy and consistent location masking. It closes potential gaps left by partial tunnels or app-level bypasses, and keeps both foreground and background processes protected.

While the setup may take a few minutes — choosing the right VPN, protocol, and settings — the end result is a seamless, always-on layer of encryption that works across your entire device. Whether you’re working remotely, streaming from abroad, or using public Wi-Fi, full-tunnel VPN mode ensures your iPhone or iPad never leaks a single packet of unprotected data.