Cannot connect to NordVPN on mobile data

[Coutts]

Hi all. 

Just switched to public mobile from one of the big 3 companies last weekend in Manitiba.  Love the cost savings and only have one strange oddity about the data. I used to use NordVPN with my other carrier’s data all the time.  

Every time I attempt to connect to a server with NordVPN it fails to connect and while trying to connect my cellular data seems to stop working until I cancel the login request. 

My phone is running the latest iOS, I have tried different VPN protocols, ensured cellular data is enabled for Nord’s app and have even reinstalled Nord multiple times. 

Just wondering is there something the Public Mobile does to not allow you to connect to a VPN or if I am just missing something on my phone setup? I’ve noticed that download speed seem adequate but upload speeds seem very slow in my opinion (less that 1Mbps) testing with Speedtest app. 

Is anybody else using NordVPN with Public Mobile cellular data? Or have similarly low upload speeds?

Thanks in advance. 

[SteveC1]

I have a iPhone 17 Pro Max. NordVPN app works fine. BUT I also have an iPhone 16  Pro Max and NordVPN doesn’t work and I have the same issue as you do. That includes when I turn on my Threat Protection to “Always”. 

[Coutts]

With lengthy discussions with both Nord and PM , I have found an issue. Not sure if this will be able to resolve my VPN connection issue but might he able to find a work around. 

NordVPN confirmed that they only use iPv4 addresses on their servers and don’t support IPv6 addresses. 

I am unable to edit Public Mobiles APN on my iPhone 14 Pro Max and customer support was unable to provide a sim/network update to give my phone an iPv4 address. 

Unfortunately I’ve also paid for Nord up to the middle of 2028. Maybe between now and then Nord might upgrade some servers to iPv6 addresses and it may start working. 

Overall, I’m still happy with PM’s cellular plans and coverage just a little bit bummed about not being able to use Nord like I used to.

Thanks to everyone for the support and help. Hopeful that one day Apple, Nord and PM can all play nicely together. lol. 

[Coutts]

Very interesting. This makes it appear to be a hardware issue. Not sure if the Pro Max’s use a different chip set that isn’t allowing them to connect to the Nord servers. I will try to do some digging and let everyone know what I find out. 

I am also going to put my SIM card into an older iPhone 7 Plus I have lying around and see if it’s my SIM card not allowing the connection to Nord servers or if it seems directly related to hardware in the pro max’s. 

Thanks for sharing this info. Makes me not feel as much as a crazy person when talking to PM and Nord trying to find a solution. 

[Coutts]

Thanks for your reply. I have tried changing to every protocol and have reset network settings and reinstalled the NordVPN app countless times to no avail. 

[felipecpereira]

Recently I’ve had the same problem. I changed from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 17 Pro Max and my NordVPN doesn’t connect anymore. I’ve tried contacting Nord and PM, but nothing has worked. I also tried using Kaspersky VPN and Surfshark and they work very well, but I’ve already paid for Nord until 2026…

[Kenmerloo]

I have no problem with Nord. If you are using UDP setting on Nord, try switching to TCP and see if that helps

[Coutts]

Thank you for confirming that NordVPN does work on PM networks. 

It is an iPhone 14 Pro Max that I am having issues with. 

I am in communications with Nord trying to resolve the issue. 

PM confirmed that they don’t block VPNs and completed a sim network reset to try to fix my upload speed issue. 

It appears it might be more a me issue than everyone else. I will dig into my settings and talk with Nord to see if we can get it working. 

Thanks everyone for the help. I will let you know if I ever figure out what the issue is. 

[Coutts]

I am still able to use NordVPN on wifi and even on my device when I hotspot through another phone with another carrier. 

Just thought that I would ask if anyone else has had issues. It appears to just be me. lol. 

thanks for everyone’s support. 

[AllT]

I have nord vpn and am using it now.  It has worked great on my iPhone 13 for a couple of years now  so I don’t think PM blocks it   It might be worth checking with nord vpn. Maybe they can help.  

[softech]

@Meow 

the VPN app is to monitor all data traffic and tunnel it via.

VPN offered with some browsers, like Brave browser,  just tunnel the traffic on that browser and other traffic outside of the browser will not go through the VPN.  I

as said, I tried using ExpressVPN and OpenVPN and both work without issue

Before thinking it was PM does not work well with VPN, try it with Wifi first

and with my experience, I am perfectly sure PM does not block VPN in general, if anything, it is some setup on the device that caused the issue or just incompatibility with selected VPN vendors

[Meow]

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@softech wrote:

@Coutts 

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Every time I attempt to connect to a server with NordVPN it fails to connect and while trying to connect my cellular data seems to stop working until I cancel the login request. 

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this is normal behavior if you are using VPN but unable to connect, the app try to protect your internet access in case the VPN disconnected and you are not aware.

I can confirm that PM app does not like VPN. I am getting 'Login error, try later' or similar.
Connecting to PM through a browser (VPN on) works as expected.

Why would you use VPN for to connect to PM though an app?

[softech]

@Coutts 

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Every time I attempt to connect to a server with NordVPN it fails to connect and while trying to connect my cellular data seems to stop working until I cancel the login request. 

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this is normal behavior if you are using VPN but unable to connect, the app tries to protect your internet access in case the VPN disconnects and you are not aware.

I don't think PM actively blocking VPN traffic   Although I never try Nord myself, I am using ExpressVPN without any issue with PM, speed is good

I am also able to use OpenVPN and work perfectly find on Mobile data 

And did you try Nord when using home Wifi?