App Tracking Protection keeps getting disabled

VPN
1

I use app tracking protection, which behaves like a VPN. It disables if I (for example) switch on an actual VPN. For the last few days it seems like it keeps being interrupted by something else, although I am not starting any other VPNs. I’m not sure how to get it working as before.

I’m on a Pixel 6a that is fully updated to the Feb 6th security patch. Also the DDG app is fully updated.

Any ideas?

2

As a temporary solution you could use “always on” VPN setting for DDG and disable it when you need your actual VPN

3

Could it be your actual VPN keeps trying to switch on automagically, due to an update or settings?

4

In my case I discovered that this was down to the in-built Google VPN. It was automatically switching on at random times even though I’d configured it to be OFF by default. As a result, the Duckduckgo app tracker would be forced to close. A bit naughty by Google tbh.
The solution I came up with was to disable the Google VPN under Android app settings😁

5

I had a similar issue, but only once after the most recent update. I deleted the ddg VPN settings, shut off the app blocking, then turned it back on and reset my VPN settings. Problem solved for me, but YMMV.

6

I had this issue and somewhere I read that android disables this vpn when duckduckgo goes to the background. The solution it gave me was to change the app battery setting to unrestricted usage. So far the vpn has not been disabled.

7

So far, haven’t seen any evidence of my other VPN being the cause. Followed the advice in another comment and so far I think the issue hasn’t recurred.

8

After trying this it hasn’t disabled in a while, but I guess I’ll only be able to see if it actually worked after like a day.

Thanks!

9

I finally figured out what’s causing it. If the phone disconnects from the network, the vpn auto disables. Doesnt matter if it was you putting the phone in airplane mode or the phone losing signal briefly or you reset the network settings, if the phone loses network connection at all, the vpn will be disabled.

10

Apparantly this does not stop it from being disabled. Not sure whats causing it