Mastering Split Tunneling with VPN: A Comprehensive Guide

Updated at: 31/05/2025

Tired of VPNs slowing down your local network? Master split tunneling! This comprehensive guide unlocks the power of routing only specific apps or traffic through your VPN, while keeping others on your local network for optimal speed and performance. Learn how to configure split tunneling on various devices and operating systems, boosting your online efficiency and security. Discover the benefits and best practices for maximizing your VPN experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Understanding Split Tunneling

    • By default, all traffic is sent through the VPN tunnel. However, split tunneling allows you to selectively route only specific traffic (e.g., to internal subnets) through the VPN, while other traffic uses the regular internet connection.
    Understanding Split Tunneling: By default, all traffic is sent through the VPN tunnel. However, split tunneling allows you to selectively route only specific traffic (e.g., to internal subnets) through the VPN, while other traffic uses the regular internet connection.
    Understanding Split Tunneling

  2. Initial Connection Check

    • Verify your internet connection before connecting to the VPN. Note your IP address and default gateway.
    Checking Initial Connection: Verify your internet connection before connecting to the VPN. Note your IP address and default gateway.
    Initial Connection Check

  3. Connect to VPN

    • Establish a connection to your VPN using your VPN client.
    Connecting to the VPN: Establish a connection to your VPN using your VPN client.
    Connect to VPN

  4. Verify VPN Connection

    • After connecting, use `ipconfig /all` to observe the changes in your network configuration. You should now see a new PPP adapter with a VPN IP address and a default gateway of 0.0.0.0.
    • Use `route print` to examine the routing table. A default gateway of 0.0.0.0 indicates that all traffic without a specific route will be sent through the VPN tunnel.
    Understanding Routing: Use `route print` to examine the routing table. A default gateway of 0.0.0.0 indicates that all traffic without a specific route will be sent through the VPN tunnel. Understanding Routing: Use `route print` to examine the routing table. A default gateway of 0.0.0.0 indicates that all traffic without a specific route will be sent through the VPN tunnel.
    Verify VPN Connection

  5. Configure Split Tunneling

    • Access your VPN connection properties. Find the IPv4 settings and uncheck 'Use default gateway on remote network'. This disables routing all traffic through the VPN tunnel.
    Configuring Split Tunneling: Access your VPN connection properties. Find the IPv4 settings and uncheck 'Use default gateway on remote network'. This disables routing all traffic through the VPN tunnel.
    Configure Split Tunneling

  6. Reconnect and Verify Split Tunneling

    • Disconnect and reconnect to your VPN to apply the split tunneling changes.
    • After reconnecting, use `ipconfig /all` and `route print` again. You should see that the default gateway is your regular internet gateway, not the VPN gateway. Only traffic destined for specific subnets (defined by DHCP options) will now go through the VPN tunnel.
    Verifying Split Tunneling: After reconnecting, use `ipconfig /all` and `route print` again. You should see that the default gateway is your regular internet gateway, not the VPN gateway. Only traffic destined for specific subnets (defined by DHCP options) will now go through the VPN tunnel. Verifying Split Tunneling: After reconnecting, use `ipconfig /all` and `route print` again. You should see that the default gateway is your regular internet gateway, not the VPN gateway. Only traffic destined for specific subnets (defined by DHCP options) will now go through the VPN tunnel.
    Reconnect and Verify Split Tunneling

  7. Understanding DHCP Role in Split Tunneling

    • The specific routes for traffic sent through the VPN are determined by DHCP options (Option 121 in this case), configured on the VPN server. These options specify which subnets should be routed through the VPN.
    Understanding DHCP Options: The specific routes for traffic sent through the VPN are determined by DHCP options (Option 121 in this case), configured on the VPN server. These options specify which subnets should be routed through the VPN.
    Understanding DHCP Role in Split Tunneling
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Tips

  • Using `ipconfig /all` and `route print` provides crucial insights into your network configuration and routing tables.
  • Lower metric numbers in the routing table determine routing priority. The route with the lower metric is used first.
  • Properly configuring DHCP options on your VPN server is essential for successful split tunneling. This dictates which traffic is routed through the VPN.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrectly Configuring the Split Tunnel

Reason: Misunderstanding which apps or networks should be routed through the VPN and which should use the regular internet connection leads to data leaks or unexpected routing behavior.
Solution: Carefully review your VPN client's settings and ensure you've accurately specified the apps or networks to be included in or excluded from the VPN tunnel.

2. Ignoring the Potential for Performance Issues

Reason: Routing all essential traffic through a VPN can slow down your internet speed, especially if the VPN server is geographically distant or overloaded. Failing to anticipate this can lead to frustration and poor user experience.
Solution: Select a VPN server geographically close to your location and only route traffic that truly requires VPN protection through the tunnel.

FAQs

What is split tunneling with a VPN?
Split tunneling allows you to selectively route only certain apps or network traffic through your VPN, while the rest uses your regular internet connection. This combines the security of a VPN for sensitive data with the speed of your local network for less sensitive tasks.
Why should I use split tunneling?
Split tunneling offers several advantages: improved speed by keeping local traffic off the VPN, bypassing VPN restrictions on specific services (like streaming), and enhanced security by only encrypting essential data through the VPN.
How do I set up split tunneling?
The setup process varies greatly depending on your operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android), VPN provider, and even the specific VPN app. Most VPN clients offer settings to select which apps or traffic use the VPN tunnel. Check your VPN's documentation for specific instructions; generally, it involves specifying IP addresses, app names, or network interfaces.