VPN FAQs: 10 Questions New Users Ask Most

VPN FAQs may seem unrelated, but most come down to devices, data, speed, routes, protocols, and privacy. Beginners often mistake a successful connection for every app using the intended route, or judge long-term reliability from a single speed test. This guide explains the answers, reasoning, checks, and common pitfalls so you can review them on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Can you use a VPN on multiple devices at the same time?

Bottom line: Simultaneous use depends on the service rules, subscription validity, and client support—not simply on whether an import succeeds. VPNIG does not limit the number of devices. The same subscription can be imported on different devices, but each device still needs a compatible client, an updated node list, and its own connection test.

The number of devices and route capacity are separate issues. Unlimited devices does not mean every device must connect to the same node. On a home network, a computer may benefit from a stable IEPL route, while a mobile device can choose a relay or direct route based on its location. Distributing devices across suitable exits is usually easier to troubleshoot than forcing every connection through one route.

Client status does not sync automatically across platforms. Changing split-tunneling rules on a computer does not apply them to a mobile device, and updating a subscription on one device does not mean others are updated. If a computer works but a tablet does not, check each device’s subscription update time, selected node, system permissions, and local network before assuming the subscription has expired.

How is data usage calculated?

Bottom line: Usage is commonly measured by the data sent through the proxy route, including both downloads and uploads. Browsing, video playback, file syncing, system updates, and background refreshes all use data. The client’s home screen is useful for tracking trends, but the service dashboard should be treated as the final balance because a local client may count only the current device or installation period.

Monthly plans and data packs should be understood separately. Monthly allowance is usually reset at the end of the plan period, while rollover depends on the specific rules. VPNIG data packs do not expire, making them better suited to people who connect only occasionally or for specific tasks. When choosing, compare more than the total allowance: consider whether you use the service continuously or only for cross-border work, research, and media access.

Protocol encapsulation, encryption, and retransmission add some transfer overhead, so route-side records and an app’s own figures may not match exactly. Severe network jitter can cause retransmissions and increase usage. If your balance is falling unusually fast, pause cloud sync, system updates, and autoplay video first, then watch the dashboard—this is often more effective than repeatedly reinstalling the client.

• ✅ Check whether cloud storage, photo libraries, or developer tools are syncing in the background.
• ✅ Check whether a video platform has automatically selected a higher quality.
• ✅ Check whether the client uses a global proxy or proxies only selected apps.
• ✅ Use the service dashboard balance as the reference, rather than treating one device’s local figure as the total.

Will speeds be limited after connecting?

Bottom line: Slower speeds do not necessarily mean the service is actively limiting you. Performance depends on local broadband, wireless quality, device performance, protocol, node load, distance to the entry point, cross-border routing, and the destination site. A speed test shows the result between specific servers at a specific moment; it does not directly represent long-term performance for video buffering, remote desktops, or code repository downloads.

To identify a bottleneck, first check whether the local network works normally while disconnected. Then connect to a nearby node and test ordinary webpages and a stable download. If nearby nodes work but distant ones fluctuate, routing distance or the cross-border path is more likely responsible. If every node is slow, check local Wi-Fi, client mode, the firewall, and device resource usage.

Route type also affects stability. A direct route connects the device straight to an overseas server, keeping the path simple but relying more heavily on the local carrier’s international exit. A relay route enters through an endpoint in mainland China or a nearby region before forwarding to the destination exit, which can improve some complex routes. IEPL focuses on a relatively controlled cross-border path and is generally better suited to long-lived connections, remote meetings, and sustained data transfers. A route name describes how the path is organized; it does not guarantee a fixed speed at every moment.

Should a VPN stay connected all the time?

Bottom line: Whether to keep it on depends on the situation. Staying connected can make sense on public Wi-Fi, during cross-border work, when accessing services that offer content only in certain regions, or when specific apps need a consistent exit. If you are using local services, performing latency-sensitive LAN tasks, or have not configured the client rules, there is no need to keep a global connection on by default.

An always-on setup works best with split tunneling, rather than sending all traffic to a remote endpoint indiscriminately. Good rules can keep local websites, printers, router admin pages, and LAN storage on a direct route while sending international websites, remote-work tools, or selected apps through the proxy. This reduces unnecessary detours and helps prevent local services from triggering extra verification when the exit region changes.

Mobile devices also depend on system background policies. Android may pause a client because of battery-saving settings, while iOS uses a system network extension to maintain the tunnel. Disconnects after locking the screen or switching Wi-Fi are often related to permissions and network changes, not necessarily a node failure. For an always-on setup, check on-demand connection, background operation, automatic reconnect, and disconnect protection options.

How should you choose between Shadowsocks, VMess, Trojan, VLESS, Hysteria2, and TUIC?

Bottom line: Start with a protocol explicitly offered by the service, natively supported by the client, and stable on your current network. Protocol names are not a speed ranking and cannot be compared separately from the transport layer, encryption settings, server implementation, and network environment. Beginners do not need multiple clients at once: first check which node formats the subscription provides, then choose a client that fully recognizes them.

If a protocol works well on home broadband but cannot connect on a company network, do not assume the configuration is invalid. Corporate gateways may restrict UDP, and public networks may apply stricter policies to persistent connections. Switching to another protocol or transport offered by the service is safer than guessing at parameters manually.

How should a subscription link be imported into a client?

Bottom line: A subscription link lets the client retrieve node lists and configuration parameters; it is not an ordinary webpage address. Add it through the compatible client’s “Subscription,” “Configuration source,” or “Remote configuration” feature instead of pasting it into a browser and copying the contents item by item.

Before importing, confirm that the client supports the protocols in the subscription. A Shadowsocks-only client cannot fully read VMess, VLESS, or Trojan nodes. Likewise, some general-purpose clients may recognize the nodes but not support every transport parameter offered by the service. After importing, update the subscription manually and check that the node count, names, and update time look reasonable.

1. Copy your personal subscription link from the service dashboard, taking care not to omit characters or include extra spaces.
2. Add a remote subscription in the client’s subscription manager and save it with an easy-to-recognize name.
3. Run an update so the client retrieves the node list instead of merely saving the link.
4. Choose a node suited to your location and purpose, then enable system proxy or virtual network adapter mode.
5. Visit an IP and DNS test page to confirm that the exit region and resolution path match your expectations.

A subscription link usually contains access credentials associated with your account configuration, so protect it like a password. Do not publish it in screenshots, public documents, group chats, or code repositories. When importing on a new device, copy it again directly from the dashboard. If you suspect the link has been exposed, use the reset method provided by the service to update the credentials, then re-import it on every device.

What is the difference between global proxy and split-tunneling rules?

Bottom line: A global proxy tries to send all traffic managed by the client through the selected node. Split tunneling decides whether traffic connects directly, uses the proxy, or is blocked based on domains, IPs, apps, or rule sets. Global mode is useful for short-term troubleshooting because the path is uniform; split tunneling is better for everyday use, but rule quality and matching order directly affect the outcome.

Split tunneling commonly fails for three reasons: domain rules do not cover the endpoints an app actually uses, IP rules have expired because service addresses changed, or DNS resolution takes a path that does not match the connection exit. Some apps connect directly to IP addresses, use their own resolver, or establish UDP sessions, so a working browser does not mean every program follows the same rules.

Rules usually have priorities. More specific domain or app rules should come before broad default rules, or they may be matched too early. After making changes, disconnect the old session and test again because an existing session may not immediately adopt the new path. As a diagnostic step, switch to global mode: if global mode works but split tunneling does not, focus on the rules and DNS rather than the node itself.

• ✅ Keep local websites and LAN resources on a direct route.
• ✅ Send domains or apps that need international routes through the proxy explicitly.
• ✅ Keep the DNS query path consistent with the split-tunneling target.
• ✅ Re-establish the connection and clear old sessions after changing rules.
• ❌ Do not use a large rule set from an unknown source as a long-term configuration without review.

What is a DNS leak, and how can you test for one?

Bottom line: A DNS leak generally means that app traffic is sent through a remote route while domain lookups are still handled by the local network or an unexpected resolver. This can make the resolved result inconsistent with the exit region and can also cause split-tunneling decisions to fail. It does not necessarily mean the connection is unusable, but it shows that the data path is not fully following the configuration.

When testing, first record the public exit and DNS resolver while disconnected, then connect to the target node and test again. Focus on whether the resolver’s network and region match the client settings, rather than looking only for a prominent warning on the page. Some resolvers use shared or anycast infrastructure, so the displayed region may differ from the node’s actual location. Use client logs and multiple results together when assessing the issue.

Common fixes include enabling the client’s remote DNS, forwarding DNS queries through the proxy, letting the virtual network adapter take over system resolution, and disabling standalone resolver settings in a browser or app that conflict with the current policy. If only one browser behaves unexpectedly, check its secure DNS setting first. If every app is affected, the problem is more likely in the system, client, or router configuration.

Also distinguish DNS leaks from WebRTC exposure of local network information. They have different targets: the former concerns where domain lookups go, while the latter concerns which addresses a browser’s real-time communication interfaces may reveal. When testing in a browser, review the public exit, DNS, and WebRTC results separately; one passing does not mean all three are working as intended.

How do Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS clients differ?

Bottom line: Different platforms can use the same subscription, but their traffic-capture mechanisms, permissions, and available features are not identical. Do not copy another platform’s steps exactly or assume that matching node names mean split tunneling and DNS behave the same way.

Windows clients commonly offer system proxy and TUN virtual network adapter modes. A system proxy mainly affects apps that follow the system proxy settings, while some games, command-line tools, and standalone network programs may bypass it. TUN mode can capture a broader range of IP traffic but requires the relevant driver and permissions. If the browser works but other software does not, check the current mode first.

macOS likewise differs between system proxy settings and network extensions. A system proxy suits standard browsers and apps that follow proxy settings, while a virtual network adapter or network extension is better for scenarios requiring broader traffic capture. If the client cannot establish a tunnel after a system update, check whether its network extension permission is still active.

Android usually captures traffic through the system VPNService and can decide which apps use the connection, but battery-saving policies vary by manufacturer and may affect background stability. iOS clients rely on a system network extension, and split-tunneling capabilities depend on the client implementation and the configuration range allowed by the system. When a mobile device switches between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, the old session may drop; timely automatic reconnect is more important to observe than one connection’s speed.

How can you tell whether a VPN plan is right for you?

Bottom line: Filter by purpose and usage frequency first, then compare routes, data rules, device limits, registration requirements, and refund protection. Price is only one factor. If the protocol is incompatible, the target region lacks routes, or the data period does not fit your usage, a cheaper plan can still create extra migration work later.

People who work online frequently or access media continuously should focus on monthly data, stable routes, and convenient subscription updates. Those with irregular usage may prefer data packs that do not expire. If you use multiple devices, check the device rules. If remote meetings, developer repositories, or long-lived connections are part of your routine, first confirm whether IEPL, relay, and direct routes are clearly identified.

For privacy, read the service’s privacy policy to see what account information is collected, how long connection metadata is retained, why it is used, and how deletion requests work. “No logs” should not be judged by a single label on a page; check whether the policy clearly distinguishes browsing content, connection diagnostics, and account operations data. The less registration information you provide, the less information you may later need to disclose. VPNIG does not require an email address, reducing unnecessary data submission.

VPNIG provides 120+ countries and 160+ routes, places no limit on the number of devices, and offers a 14-day no-questions-asked refund. For beginners, the value of these details is that they can be checked directly: whether the target region has a route, whether different devices can be configured at the same time, and whether there is a clear way out after testing—not vague claims of “high speed.”

• ✅ Your target country or region is clearly listed among the available routes.
• ✅ The client supports the protocols and update method provided by the subscription.
• ✅ The data period matches your usage frequency.
• ✅ Device rules, refund coverage, and the privacy policy are available on the site.
• ✅ Registration does not require an email address, reducing unnecessary data submission.
• ❌ Do not decide based only on a single speed test, a route name, or vague promises.

Finally, do not skip verification after connecting. At minimum, confirm that the public exit has changed, the target service works normally, the DNS path matches expectations, split tunneling has not blocked local resources, and apps do not unexpectedly fall back to a direct connection after a disconnect. Checking these items one by one makes it easier to build a stable setup than repeatedly switching nodes.