OpenVPN Setup for Android

Complete guide to configuring OpenVPN on your Android device

πŸ“‹ Before You Begin

Ensure you have your CodaMail VPN credentials ready. You'll need your VPN username and password (different from your email login) to connect to our secure VPN servers.

Important: All VPN and proxy servers are under the cotse.net domain. The codamail.com domain is exclusively for email services.

πŸ“± Step 1: Install OpenVPN Connect

Open the Google Play Store on your Android device
Search for "OpenVPN Connect" (by OpenVPN Inc.)
Install the official OpenVPN Connect app
Open the app once installation is complete

πŸ“₯ Step 2: Download Configuration Files

Download one or more of the following OpenVPN configuration files to your Android device:

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ London Server

Server: london.cotse.net
Config File: london.ovpn
Location: United Kingdom

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Denver Server

Server: denver.cotse.net
Config File: denver.ovpn
Location: United States (Colorado)

πŸ‡³πŸ‡± Amsterdam Server

Server: amsterdam.cotse.net
Config File: amsterdam.ovpn
Location: Netherlands

βš™οΈ Step 3: Import Configuration File

Open the OpenVPN Connect app
Tap the "+" button to add a new profile
Select "File" tab
Tap "Browse" and navigate to your downloaded .ovpn file
Select the configuration file (e.g., london.ovpn)
The profile will be imported and appear in your profile list
Repeat this process for additional servers if desired

πŸ” Step 4: Configure Authentication

Tap on the imported profile to open its settings
Look for the "Username" and "Password" fields
Enter your CodaMail VPN credentials:
Username: Your VPN username
Password: Your VPN password
Enable "Save Password" for convenience (optional)
Tap "Save" to store the credentials

πŸš€ Step 5: Connect to VPN

From the main screen, tap the toggle switch next to your desired server profile
Android will prompt for VPN connection permission - tap "OK"
The connection status will show "Connecting..." then "Connected"
You'll see a VPN key icon in your status bar when connected
Your internet traffic is now secured through the VPN tunnel

🌍 Choosing the Right Server

Performance Considerations:

London: Optimal for European users, good global connectivity
Denver: Best for North American users, central US location
Amsterdam: Excellent for European users, strong privacy laws

Network Optimization:

Default Port: Config files use port 1194/UDP by default
Alternative Ports Available: If blocked, servers also listen on:
UDP: 20, 123, 31482 (bypasses most firewalls)
TCP: 443, 80, 993 (works on restrictive networks)
You can manually edit the .ovpn file to change remote server-address 1194 udp to use any alternative port

Usage Tips:

Choose the server geographically closest to you for best performance
Switch servers if you experience slow speeds or connection issues
You can have multiple server profiles configured for easy switching
Consider the server location for accessing geo-restricted content

βš™οΈ Advanced Settings

Connection Options:

Auto-Connect: Enable to automatically connect when on untrusted networks
Connect via: Choose between UDP and TCP protocols (UDP recommended)
Seamless Tunnel: Prevents traffic leaks during reconnection
Block local network: Enhances security on public WiFi

Battery Optimization:

Add OpenVPN Connect to your device's battery optimization whitelist
This prevents Android from killing the VPN connection to save battery
Go to Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization β†’ OpenVPN Connect β†’ Don't optimize

πŸ”§ Troubleshooting

If you encounter connection issues:

Connection Failed: Verify your VPN credentials are correct
Frequent Disconnections: Check your mobile data/WiFi stability
Slow Internet: Try a different server location closer to you
Can't Browse: Disconnect and reconnect the VPN, restart the app if needed
App Crashes: Clear the app cache or reinstall OpenVPN Connect
Import Failed: Ensure the .ovpn file downloaded completely and isn't corrupted

Android-Specific Issues:

VPN Won't Start: Check if another VPN app is running and disconnect it
No Internet After Connect: Restart your device and try again
DNS Issues: Try switching between different server locations

πŸ“ž Need Help?

If you need additional assistance with OpenVPN setup on Android or encounter any issues not covered in this guide, please contact our support team at helpdesk@codamail.com.

We're here to help ensure your VPN connection works perfectly and keeps your mobile browsing secure and private.