How to fix slow connection issues on Android – Surfshark Customer Support

In this article, you will learn what might be causing slow connection issues on your Android when connected to a VPN and how to avoid them.

Remember that some decrease in speed (around 30%) is expected when using a VPN. Feel free to check out this article where we have described potential changes in your connection speed.

If you have noticed that the connection speed has decreased more drastically, you may want to try the adjustments below.

Test the speed of several different locations (servers).

Even if you have used the Fastest server button previously, you should try several other locations as well. Try the ones that are close to your physical location.

If you're not sure how to check if the speed has increased - there are many apps on the Google Play Store for testing the speed. Download one and use it for speed testing purposes.
Change the default protocol on the Surfshark app.

Go to the Settings page on your Surfshark app, and tap on VPN Settings. You will find the Protocol setting. By default, the protocol should be on Automatic. Change it from Automatic to OpenVPN (UDP), then connect to one of the servers and test the speed again.

If OpenVPN (UDP) does not help, try the WireGuard protocol as well.
Turn on small packets.

You will find an option to use small packets in Surfshark's settings. If it's off by default, turn it on and test the speed again.
Switch from the Wi-Fi network to Mobile Data (or vice versa) and see if that affects the speed.

Some networks might be performing worse compared to others when connected to a VPN.
Turn off the Battery-saving mode if you are using it.

Battery saving mode or other settings that optimize battery consumption on your device might disable essential networking functions. You will find all the data settings if you open your phone's Settings app and select the Battery settings tab.
Reboot your device.

Even though this may sound too simple to have any effect, it often helps because rebooting your device will close all idle apps and stop other background processes that might be running.