Kill switch and split tunneling, explained
Two commonly used VPN features that give more control over exactly how and when your traffic is protected.
Kill Switch
Blocks internet access automatically if the VPN connection drops, helping prevent traffic from leaking outside the tunnel.
App-Based Split Tunneling
Lets you choose specific applications to run outside the VPN tunnel while everything else stays protected.
Domain-Based Split Tunneling
Some platforms allow excluding specific domains from the tunnel instead of entire apps.
Why Use a Kill Switch
Without one, a dropped VPN connection could silently expose your real IP address until you notice.
Why Use Split Tunneling
Useful for accessing local network devices, optimizing speed for non-sensitive traffic, or troubleshooting an app that behaves oddly over a VPN.
Platform Availability
These features are generally available on desktop and Android, with more limited support on iOS due to platform restrictions.
Explore related guides
Read practical guides on configuring these features.