How to set up AdGuard VPN automation for iPhone and iPad apps

When creating AdGuard VPN, we tried to make it as convenient as possible for every user. That's why our VPN app has an Exclusions section and two operation modes – General and Selective. In General mode AdGuard VPN works everywhere except sites added to exclusions. Conversely, in Selective mode, VPN doesn't work anywhere except sites listed in the exclusions list. Note, that for each mode you must create a separate list.

As you may notice, only websites can be added to the Exclusions section. “And how can I adjust AdGuard VPN for apps?” you might ask. For this purpose, our desktop apps have the Split tunneling module and the app for Android has Apps settings — these settings allow you to decide in which apps AdGuard VPN should run.

But, as it often happens, due to a number of technical nuances, it is impossible to implement such a useful function for iOS, at least for now. Therefore, we offer you an alternative way to automate AdGuard VPN for apps on iPhones and iPads.

Setting up AdGuard VPN automatic activation

Let's assume that on your phone or tablet AdGuard VPN works in Selective mode, i.e. only on sites listed in Exclusions. In this case, apps’ traffic doesn't get into the VPN tunnel. But you want to use, for example, Twitter with VPN enabled. To avoid turning AdGuard VPN on/off manually every time you interact with the social network, we suggest setting up automation on your iOS device. Follow the instructions and you'll reach your goal in a few steps:

• Download the Shortcuts app from the App Store and go to the Automation section by tapping the clock icon at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap the Create Personal Automation button, then find App in the list that opens and tap it.
• In the next window, make sure that the Is Opened option is selected, and then tap Choose to choose the app.

• Start entering the name of the application, in our case it's Twitter, and select it. Then tap Done in the upper right corner of the screen. After it tap Next in the upper right corner of the screen. And in the opened window tap Add Action.

• Start entering “AdGuard VPN” and select the AdGuard VPN app. In the new window tap Set a VPN connection. Make sure the variables say Turn VPN connection On and tap Next.

• In the next window, move the slider next to the Confirm before starting option to the inactive position. Confirm your choice in the new window.

Done! You have a new scenario: AdGuard VPN will be automatically enabled when you start the Twitter app. Now you need to create another command that will make AdGuard VPN automatically turn off when you close the app.

Configuring AdGuard VPN automatic shutdown

• In the same Shortcuts app open the Automation section, tap + in the upper right corner of the screen, then select App.
• Make sure that the Is Closed option is selected and uncheck the box under the adjacent option.

• Next, select the Twitter app, tap Next → Add Action, select AdGuard VPN and tap Set up VPN connection.
• In the next window, tap the word Enable so that it changes to the word Disable, then tap Next in the upper right corner of the screen.
• Disable the Confirm before starting option and confirm your selection. Then tap Done at the top right corner of the screen to complete the process.

Congrats! AdGuard VPN will now be enabled on your device every time you open the Twitter app, and disabled when you close it. You can repeat the same steps for any other app.