OpenVPN Support to End in January 2026 for Mullvad VPN – Users Urged to Switch to WireGuard
Published
- Deadline: OpenVPN servers fully removed on January 15, 2026, after gradual shutdown over months.
- Transition: Apps default to WireGuard; OpenVPN configs and servers phased out progressively.
- Action: Users advised to switch to WireGuard via apps or routers using provided guides.
Mullvad VPN announced that all OpenVPN servers will be shut down by January 15, 2026. While OpenVPN will remain functional until then, no new servers will be introduced, and existing ones will gradually go offline over the coming months.
OpenVPN Phase-Out Timeline
The decision to phase out OpenVPN was first shared in November 2024, and users have since been receiving in-app warnings about the protocol’s eventual removal.
Currently, the apps default to WireGuard, a protocol widely regarded for its speed, modern encryption, and efficiency. According to the announcement, OpenVPN configuration generation will also soon be discontinued, further signaling the shift toward WireGuard-only support. Recently, Mullvad has been making some basic changes, including its upgrade to accepting Bitcoin Lightning Payments and its in-app updates for Windows and macOS.
What Users Need to Do ABout Mullvad End of OpenVPN
Users who still rely on OpenVPN are being strongly advised to switch to WireGuard immediately, either through the company’s apps or by configuring it on supported routers.
Step-by-step guides for WireGuard setup are already available in the help section of the company’s website.
WireGuard as the Future
The move by Mullvad to end OpenVPN support highlights the company’s strategy to prioritize WireGuard as its primary VPN protocol, citing it as the future of secure and private online connections.
Until January 15, 2026, OpenVPN servers will remain online but in a limited capacity, gradually winding down ahead of the final cutoff. After that date, OpenVPN will no longer be available at all on Mullvad VPN.
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