iPhone iOS (13.3.1) Settings app OpenVPN Profile not working (works in OpenVPN client)

[Earlyflash]

Hi all,

Strange error here.

I've got a OpenVPN profile I've imported into the OpenVPN iOS app on my iphone (just downloaded from the app store), and it works absolutely fine, press connect, ocnnects, no issues.

iOS Seems to have imported the VPN setup correctly to the iphone.

When I go to the iOS settings app and hit 'connect' on the 'VPN' it switches to green instantly, the 'Connecting...' flashes up, but it never actually connects. About 30s later, the selector moves back to 'dark', but no errors appear, nothing.

The server side, doesn't even seem to receive a connection request (as far as I can see).

I guess a bug in the way the connection is registered in iOS? But for now I have to do everything via the OpenVPN applciation itself ... sigh.

I also found someone else in ServerFault with the same issue:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/598 ... it-used-to

[mdibella]

This is by design. SSL-based VPN connections on iOS must be initiated within the helper app unless the profile is configured for auto-connect.

[Earlyflash]

Oh that's interesting! Strange UI for it though, but hey-ho.

Is that by design of Apple or OpenVPN?

[Pippin]

mdibella's post seems to indicate that it's an Apple requirement.

[c.barnes@barnesit.com]

What is the helper app?