What Is TUN Mode in a VPN
TUN mode (also called virtual adapter mode) routes all traffic from your device through the VPN — email clients, messaging apps, background syncs, everything. Without TUN mode, VPN clients in proxy mode only cover traffic from apps configured to use the proxy. Enable TUN mode for full-device coverage on Windows, macOS and Android.
Proxy mode vs TUN mode
In proxy mode, the VPN client sets a system proxy. Only apps that respect the system proxy use the VPN. Many desktop apps, games and background services do not.
In TUN mode, a virtual network adapter captures all traffic at the OS level. Every app goes through the VPN, regardless of whether it respects proxy settings.
When to use TUN mode
Remote work: ensure company tools, VoIP clients and email all route through the secure tunnel. On public Wi-Fi: all apps protected, not just the browser. When you need to guarantee nothing leaks.
- Remote work with sensitive company tools
- Full-device protection on hotel/café Wi-Fi
- When specific non-browser apps do not work through proxy mode
When to skip TUN mode
If you only need browser-level protection, proxy mode uses fewer resources. Gaming: TUN mode adds latency to game traffic; disable TUN or use split tunnelling to exclude the game.
How to enable TUN mode in Hiddify
On Windows and macOS: Settings > Core > TUN Mode (requires admin/network extension permission). On Android: select 'VPN' mode instead of 'Proxy' mode in Hiddify settings.
TUN mode and split tunnelling
Most clients that support TUN mode also support split tunnelling — you can route specific apps direct while everything else goes through the VPN. This is more precise than choosing between all-VPN and all-direct.
Continue with the next logical step
The actions below follow the page intent: start with the primary next step, then use setup, support, or the travel checker if needed.
Frequently asked questions
On Windows and macOS, installing the TUN driver requires admin rights once. Regular use does not.
It can add latency. Use split tunnelling to exclude your game from the VPN tunnel while keeping other traffic protected.
iOS VPN profiles route all traffic by default — the equivalent of TUN mode. There is no separate toggle.
Those apps probably do not respect the system proxy. Switch to TUN mode to ensure all apps route through the VPN.