Connection modes

The connection mode decides how the device’s traffic reaches mins. You can choose a mode only on desktop. On Android and iOS mins always works as a VPN.

Modes

Mode	What it does	Platforms
VPN (TUN)	Creates a virtual network interface. All of the device’s traffic goes through it, except local networks, excluded routes and apps you took out of the tunnel. This is the default	Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux
System proxy	Starts a local proxy on 127.0.0.1 (SOCKS5 and HTTP on one port) and writes it into the system proxy settings. The previous settings are restored when you disconnect. Apps that ignore the system proxy bypass mins	macOS, Windows, Linux
Proxy only	Starts the same local proxy but changes nothing in the system. Enter 127.0.0.1 and the port in each app yourself	macOS, Windows, Linux

The local proxy port is Mixed proxy port, 10808 by default. Change it in Settings → Advanced → Local proxy. In Proxy only mode you can also turn on Require proxy authentication there: mins generates a user name and a password and shows them with copy buttons. The authentication protects both SOCKS5 and HTTP.

Note

Platform details:

• Android: the VPN runs through the system VPN service. Android asks for permission on the first connection.
• iOS and macOS: the tunnel runs as a Network Extension. On macOS System proxy also goes through this extension, so the system asks for the same VPN permission as for TUN.
• Windows: TUN uses the mins system service and the Wintun driver, both installed by the installer. The system proxy is set in the Windows Internet settings.
• Linux: TUN needs the mins privileged helper; a user in the mins group can control it. The system proxy works in GNOME, Cinnamon, Unity and KDE 6. In other desktops (for example MATE) choose Proxy only, otherwise the connection fails. See Installation.

Where to switch the mode

• Side menu → Connection mode (desktop).
• Settings → Connection → VPN → Connection mode (desktop).
• The mins tray icon, Mode submenu (the items are named tun, system_proxy and proxy_only).

If you switch the mode while connected, mins reconnects in the new mode by itself. A subscription can suggest its own mode. It takes effect only after you approve it (see the Settings reference).

Window and tray on desktop

Closing the window does not disconnect the VPN: the window hides and mins stays in the tray. The tray menu has Open mins, Connect or Disconnect, Servers, Mode and Quit. Quit disconnects and closes the app.

Kill switch

The Kill switch toggle (Settings → Connection → VPN) is off by default. While it is on, traffic outside the tunnel is blocked. The in-app hint reads: “Block traffic outside the VPN while enabled. Requires host permissions.”

How it works on each platform:

Platform	Behavior
Android	If the engine stops with an error, mins keeps the VPN interface open and traffic stays blocked. The notification says “Traffic blocked — reconnect or disconnect”. Disconnect the VPN manually or connect again
iOS and macOS	Apple’s “include all networks” option (includeAllNetworks) is turned on: all device traffic is forced through the tunnel
Windows	Blocking with Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) filters. If the connection drops, the filters stay until you press Disconnect
Linux	Blocking with nftables rules. If the rules cannot be applied, the connection does not start and the message suggests checking that nftables is installed

Limits:

• The kill switch is built for VPN (TUN) mode. On Windows and Linux a connection in System proxy or Proxy only mode with the kill switch on does not start: mins answers “kill switch requires TUN”. On macOS System proxy with the kill switch is rejected too: “Kill switch requires full tunnel mode”.
• If the kill switch stays armed after a drop, the app shows “Kill switch remains armed; disconnect to restore network access”. Press Disconnect to get your network back.

Turning the kill switch on or off while connected reconnects.

Always-on VPN (Android)

The Always-on VPN & lockdown row opens the Android system VPN settings. It shows the current status: “Always-on on or off, lockdown on or off”. System always-on VPN with lockdown is the most reliable way to keep traffic from leaking outside the VPN, and the Kill switch toggle in mins complements it.

If system always-on VPN is on, Android starts mins itself after a reboot, and the mins boot start (see below) does not fire.

Startup and auto-connect

All of these options are in Settings → Connection → Startup. Everything is off by default except Live Activity.

Option	Platforms	What it does
Start at boot	Android	After a reboot mins brings the VPN up with the last configuration. It needs VPN permission granted earlier and a connection made before. If the permission is missing, a “VPN permission required” notification appears. It works after the first unlock of the device
Launch at login	Windows, Linux, macOS	Starts mins when you log in. On macOS mins registers as a login item. If the system needs approval, an Allow mins in System Settings → Login Items row appears
Connect at login	Windows, Linux, macOS	Connects the selected server when mins starts. Together with Launch at login the connection comes up right after you log in
Connect when app starts	All	Connects the selected server every time mins starts
Live Activity	iOS	Shows the connection state and time on the lock screen and in the Dynamic Island. On by default
Auto-connect	iOS, macOS	The system connects the VPN itself (On Demand rules): Always or Except trusted Wi-Fi
Trusted Wi-Fi networks	iOS, macOS	A list of Wi-Fi network names, one per line. In Except trusted Wi-Fi mode the VPN disconnects on these networks

Note

Auto-connect on iOS and macOS starts working after your first manual connection. If you disconnect manually, auto-connect pauses and the app says “Auto-connect is paused until you connect manually.” Connect manually again to resume it.

Quick access

On Android, Settings → Connection → VPN has the Add Quick Settings tile button (“Connect from the notification shade”). On Android 13 and newer it offers to add the mins tile right away. On older versions add the mins tile in the Android quick settings editor.

The tile turns the VPN on and off with the last configuration. If VPN permission is missing or there is no configuration yet, the tile opens the app.

Next

• Routing: what goes through the proxy and what goes direct.
• Split tunneling: choosing apps.
• Settings reference: every option with its default.
• Errors: if VPN permission was not granted.