Split Tunneling Android: Exclude Apps | Free VPN Grass
Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which use your regular network. On Android, excluding specific apps can improve speed, preserve local access, and reduce latency for trusted services. This guide shows how to enable and configure split tunneling in Free VPN Grass step-by-step.
To exclude specific Android apps, open Free VPN Grass, go to Settings → Split Tunneling, enable the feature, choose “Exclude selected apps” (or similar), then toggle off the apps you want to route outside the VPN. Save and connect the VPN to apply your exclusions immediately.
How to enable split tunneling to exclude specific Android apps?
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Open the Free VPN Grass app on your Android device. Make sure you’re running the latest version from Google Play to access all features.
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Tap the menu icon (☰) or the profile/settings icon. Select Settings or Preferences from the app menu.
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Find the Split Tunneling option—this may be under sections like Network, Connection, or Advanced.
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Toggle the switch to enable split tunneling. Some builds offer two modes: Route selected apps via VPN or Exclude selected apps from VPN. Choose Exclude selected apps if you want certain apps to bypass the VPN.
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A list of installed apps will appear. Scroll and toggle off (or mark) the apps you want to exclude from the VPN tunnel—e.g., local banking, smart home, or streaming apps you prefer on your local IP.
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Save or apply the settings if required. Then connect the VPN. Excluded apps will now use your regular network while other traffic continues through the VPN.
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Confirm exclusions by opening an excluded app and checking local service access or IP-detection websites. Reopen split tunneling settings to adjust as needed.
Note: Exact menu names may vary slightly by app version. If you can’t find split tunneling, update Free VPN Grass and review permissions (VPN & system). Some Android versions or OEM skins (e.g., Huawei, Xiaomi) require additional permissions to manage per-app routing.
What is split tunneling and why use it?
Split tunneling is a VPN feature that lets you choose which apps use the VPN tunnel and which use the regular internet connection. It offers granular control over traffic routing so you can balance privacy, performance, and local access.
- Maintain local network access for apps like printers, smart-home or casting tools.
- Improve speed for high-bandwidth apps (games, video streaming) by excluding them.
- Reduce data overhead and battery usage by limiting VPN routing to essential apps.
Free VPN Grass includes split tunneling to give Android users this flexibility while preserving privacy for selected apps.
When to exclude apps: common use cases
Excluding apps from the VPN is useful when you need local network access, lower latency, or region-specific services:
- Smart home/IoT apps that require local LAN access
- Mobile banking or payment apps that block VPN IP addresses
- Streaming services that work better on your local IP or are restricted by VPN
- Online games that require low ping and faster response times
- Apps using two-factor authentication tied to your local carrier
Features and benefits of split tunneling in Free VPN Grass
Using split tunneling in Free VPN Grass offers:
- Custom app-level routing: choose exactly which apps bypass the VPN.
- Improved performance for excluded apps—lower latency and reduced bandwidth overhead.
- Better compatibility with local services (printer, LAN devices, local banking).
- Simple on/off toggles and intuitive app lists for fast configuration.
Benefits at a glance:
- Faster streaming for excluded apps
- Less battery drain when VPN routing is minimized
- Preserved privacy for apps you choose to route through the VPN
Troubleshooting & tips
If split tunneling doesn’t behave as expected, try these steps:
- Update Free VPN Grass to the latest version from Google Play.
- Restart your Android device to refresh network routes.
- Check VPN permissions: ensure the app has the necessary VPN & background permissions.
- Disable battery optimization for Free VPN Grass so the OS doesn’t kill background processes.
- Switch split tunneling mode (if available) between “Include” and “Exclude” to verify behavior.
- Reinstall the app if options are missing or settings fail to apply.
Tip: When testing, use an IP lookup site inside an excluded app’s browser vs a VPN-protected app to confirm routing differences.
Performance, battery, and security considerations
Excluding apps can reduce CPU and network overhead, but consider the trade-offs:
- Security: Excluded apps won’t benefit from VPN encryption or IP masking—don’t exclude apps that need privacy.
- Performance: Excluding heavy apps improves speed for those apps and reduces load on the VPN server.
- Battery: Fewer encrypted connections can reduce battery drain, but misconfigured exclusions may cause extra networking work.
Best practice: Only exclude trusted apps that require local access or produce high traffic and keep sensitive apps routed through Free VPN Grass.
Comparison: split tunneling vs full VPN
| Feature | Split Tunneling | Full VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Partial—only selected apps use VPN | Full—all device traffic encrypted and anonymized |
| Speed | Faster for excluded apps | Potentially slower due to all traffic routing through VPN |
| Compatibility | Better with local network devices and region-locked services | May block local device discovery or services |
| Control | Granular app-level control | One-size-fits-all routing |
Free VPN Grass supports split tunneling for users who need this granular control while still offering full-VPN modes when maximum privacy is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I switch between “exclude” and “include” modes in split tunneling?
Open Free VPN Grass → Settings → Split Tunneling. If the app supports both modes, you’ll see options like “Route selected apps” or “Exclude selected apps.” Select the desired mode, then pick apps to include or exclude and save. Mode names may vary by app version.
Will excluded apps still be secure from local network threats?
No. Excluded apps use your normal network connection and won’t have VPN encryption or IP masking. For high-risk activities or on untrusted Wi‑Fi, avoid excluding apps that handle sensitive data or authentication.
My split tunneling settings reset after reboot—what can I do?
Ensure Free VPN Grass is excluded from Android battery optimization and has permission to run in the background. Update the app, grant needed permissions, and reinstall if problems persist. Some OEMs need additional lock/auto-start settings enabled.
Can split tunneling improve gaming latency?
Yes. Excluding a game from the VPN often reduces latency and jitter because traffic uses your direct ISP route rather than the VPN server. Use split tunneling in Free VPN Grass to exclude games while keeping other apps protected.
What if I don’t see split tunneling in Free VPN Grass?
First update the app via Google Play. If still missing, your device or Android version might restrict per-app VPN routing. Contact Free VPN Grass support or check app permissions. Reinstalling can also restore missing features.
Conclusion
Split tunneling in Free VPN Grass gives Android users practical control over which apps use the VPN and which use a local connection. By carefully excluding trusted, high-bandwidth, or local apps you can improve performance while keeping sensitive apps protected by the VPN.
Ready to get started? Download Free VPN Grass today and enjoy secure, private browsing!
