iOS lacks a native, system-wide kill switch. Achieve a similar effect by combining the built-in VPN settings with MDM profiles and router configurations.
No perfect solution: iOS VPN behavior can be unpredictable.
App-specific VPNs bypass settings: Some apps have built-in VPN functionality, ignoring system settings.
Background app refresh: iOS aggressively manages background apps, potentially disconnecting VPNs.
This method requires a supervised iOS device (typically for enterprise use) and an MDM (Mobile Device Management) server.
Create a VPN profile: Use your MDM to create a new VPN configuration profile.
Configure Always-On VPN: Within the profile, enable the "Always-On VPN" setting.
Set Allowed VPN Interface Types: Restrict the allowed VPN interface types to your specific HideIPVPN protocol (e.g., IKEv2). This prevents connections via other methods.
Block Non-VPN Traffic: Configure the profile to block all network traffic when the VPN is disconnected. This is typically done by specifying a "required" VPN connection.
Deploy the Profile: Distribute the profile to your supervised iOS device(s).
Pitfalls: Requires MDM infrastructure and supervised devices. Profile installation can be complex.
This method relies on controlling network access at your router.
Static IP Address: Assign a static IP address to your iOS device within your router's DHCP settings.
Firewall Rules: Create firewall rules that only allow traffic from the iOS device's static IP address to the HideIPVPN server's IP address(es) on the appropriate port (e.g., 1194 for OpenVPN). Block all other traffic.
VPN Configuration: Configure your iOS device to connect to HideIPVPN using the appropriate protocol (OpenVPN, WireGuard, etc.).
Test Disconnection: Disconnect the VPN on your iOS device. Verify that the device can no longer access the internet.
Router Examples (commands are illustrative):
pfSense/OPNsense: Create a firewall rule on the LAN interface. Source: your iOS device's static IP. Destination: HideIPVPN server IP. Port: VPN port. Action: Allow. Create a second rule: Source: your iOS device's static IP. Destination: Any. Action: Block.
OpenWRT (nftables): nft add rule inet filter forward iifname "br-lan" ip saddr <iOS_STATIC_IP> ip daddr <HIDEIPVPN_SERVER_IP> tcp dport <VPN_PORT> accept
nft add rule inet filter forward iifname "br-lan" ip saddr <iOS_STATIC_IP> drop
Pitfalls: Requires router access and configuration knowledge. iOS can sometimes bypass router rules. Server IP addresses can change, requiring rule updates.
This method relies on DNS resolution to prevent connections when the VPN is down.
Custom DNS Server: Set up a local DNS server (e.g., Pi-hole, dnsmasq).
Conditional Forwarding: Configure the DNS server to forward only to the HideIPVPN DNS servers when the VPN is active.
Block All Other DNS: When the VPN is disconnected, the DNS server should not forward any requests.
iOS DNS Settings: Configure your iOS device to use your custom DNS server.
Pitfalls: Least reliable method. iOS often caches DNS records. Apps can use hardcoded DNS servers.
Verify the VPN connection is active.
Test internet access with the VPN connected.
Disconnect the VPN and confirm that internet access is blocked according to your chosen method.
Check for DNS leaks using a third-party website (with VPN connected).
Choose a method (MDM, Router, or DNS).
Configure the chosen method according to the steps above.
Thoroughly test the kill switch functionality.
Monitor for unexpected behavior.