topic Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work in Mobile Data

Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Joeclegg — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:25:19 GMT

Hello,

I need to connect to a VPN (Global Protect) on my laptop to connect to my work documents. A few months ago, I used to be able to use mobile hotspot on my phone and it would work fine. However, the VPN no longer connects - the internet continues to works fine on the laptop when connected to my mobile.

I understand EE have never supported VPN connections but they are now apparently actively blocking more. This is unacceptable and unfair. If I am unable to resolve the issue, I will need to change mobile networks.

Has anyone been able to resolve this issue?

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Joeclegg — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:35:50 GMT

Just to add, EE technical support were unable to assist and they just confirmed that EE are blocking VPNs.

I tried connecting my laptop to an old phone using a different network (Virgin), the VPN connects fine. The VPN also connects to my current phone if it is using my wifi, rather than EE mobile data. This confirms it is to do with EE mobile data and Global Protect being blocked.

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Christopher_G — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:55:41 GMT

Hi and welcome to the community, @Joeclegg

Sorry for the confusion. We don't block VPN services, but we don't support them either. Have you spoken to your employer's helpdesk to see if anyone else has had a similar problem? They may be aware of a fix.

Chris

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Joeclegg — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 14:02:04 GMT

Hi Chris,

Your tech support said that you do block VPNs and that EE are starting to crack down more - it used to work but no longer does. This conflicts with what you have just said.

I have tried my sim card in a different phone and the issue still occurs. I tried a different sim card in my main phone and it works. Other people at the company also have issues with EE. This confirms the issue is solely on the side of EE.

The fact that it used to work with my phone shows that EE have made changes to no longer allow it. Why is this?

Thanks,

Joe

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Joeclegg — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:03:04 GMT

Hi All,

After lots of research, the issue is that you need to force EE to use an IPv4 only config (rather than IPv6). Doing so will likely resolve your issue with VPN connections.

EE = You should be ashamed that you're denying any responsibility and not providing any assistance.

Follow the instructions found here:

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Data/EE-APN-Settings-Where-to-find-them/m-p/1164908/highlight/true#M146400

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

wisematthew — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:35:04 GMT

Incredibly irritating isn't it.

Connecitng to VPN via just stops working and EE customer support say it's nothing to do with EE.

Of course it is.

You have to switch networks.

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

edoardoc — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:58:20 GMT

I am having the same issue. EE useless so far.

Interestingly last week I was roaming in the EU and my iPhone on the EE SIM provided both ipv4 and ipv6
The same happens if (in the UK) I stick my EE SIM in an old iphone - both ipv4 and ipv6 .

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

stephendale1234 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 19:11:23 GMT

It's related to IPv4 and IPv6 and in my case OpenVPN. Older mobiles and laptops (and other networks) result in an IPv4 address, (with a working v4 DHCP server) but newer versions of MacOS only work with with IPv6 which OpenVPN won't work with.

You can switch off IPv6 in Macos and manually set the IPv4 addresses, but then it breaks wifi.

Either Apple or EE need to fix it or work out how some apps like OpenVPN can be reconfigured to use IPv6 - mine just says "network interface unavailable".

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

edoardoc — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 19:35:24 GMT

Hi, @stephendale1234 in this case Apple has nothing to do. The problem is with EE.

As I said, the same devices (iPhone and mac) with the EE SIM on roaming, worked fine last week. I got both IPV4 and IPV6 connectivity on the roaming network.

Back in the UK on EE, no IPV4.

I of course had tried turning IPV6 off on the mac - that breaks all connectivity not just VPNs.

On another thread, the EE community suggested that I get EE to open a ticket.
https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Broadband/IPV4-fallback-doesn-t-work/m-p/1360121/highlight/true#M28927
I had already wasted an hour on 150 today, not sure how I can get them to do so.

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

edoardoc — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:52:15 GMT

Hi @stephendale1234

I may have been wrong at pointing my finger to EE and discharging Apple which (let me self-defence) had been my first battle aim. I noticed the loss of IPV4 after upgrading iOS from 17.2 to 17.2.1 , then17.3 and 17.3.1 kept the new unwelcome behaviour

The fact that an older iPhone with my EE SIM gets both IPV4 and IPV6 suggests that the problem is with the phone OS.

I had opened a 'discussion' with Apple after having tries all avenues to talk to them, but I feel I am unable to get them to listen

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255466044

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Altheian — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 22:12:55 GMT

Incredibly frustrating case.

I have just switched from my previous network to EE, for such a great faff in relation to 5G and all that.
I was about to be travelling and working on the mobile hotspot.

Now I am stuck and cannot travel due to the issue.

Well played EE. AGAIN! In just 2 months since I joined...

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

edoardoc — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 11:03:59 GMT

@Altheian my workaround so far is to use an old iphone 7 as a modem when I need VPN access while tethering.

It's not practical but I hope EE and Apple will work together on the issue.
See this thread too

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Broadband/IPV4-fallback-doesn-t-work/m-p/1360774

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

edoardoc — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 11:04:27 GMT

and make noise here too please

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255466044?cid=em-com-apple_watches_email_thread_owner-view_the_full_discussion-en-us-11282023&sortBy=best

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

edoardoc — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 22:31:18 GMT

After the latest updates, my iPhone shows

iOS 17.4.1 / EE 58.0

now, when using the iphone as hotspot for the mac,

if I edit the wifi connection on the mac to Configure IPv6 for link-local only

and force a DHCP refresh

then I get an IPv4 address at last

which allows me to connect to the VPN.

I usually revert the macbook wifi tcp configuration after connecting back to a normal wifi access point

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

BenGo — Wed, 08 May 2024 09:01:47 GMT

I've been looking for a solution for this too, and can confirm this works.

Currently on my EE personal hotspot and connecting to Global Protect on my Mac - many thanks!

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

TheHobbit30 — Fri, 10 May 2024 08:48:00 GMT

Also wanted to report that the instructions from @edoardoc worked for me too. Thank you!

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

edoardoc — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:00:45 GMT

I'm glad that my post has helped people, as I keep getting notifications ... so I thought of posting an update.

with

iOS 18.1.1 / EE 60.0.1
macOS 15.1.1

I no longer need to change the IPv6 settings of the mac wifi connection. Leaving the auto default, my VPN works when tethering even though I don't get a routable IPv4 address (I get 192.0.0.2)

So I suspect that the newer GPVPN client I'm using is able to cope with that.

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Andy_878 — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:13:35 GMT

hi - I'm getting this issue as well and looking for alternatives. Does anyone know if the issue is with the 4gee device itself or the EE SIM ?

So, if I got a different (non EE) device and inserted the EE sim would this work with GP?

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Debbie_G — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:22:28 GMT

Hi @Andy_878.

Thanks for coming to the community.

Have you had a chance to try the advice that’s already been shared in this thread? Also, have you been in touch with your VPN provider to see if they can offer any insight or support on this issue?

Debbie

Re: Unable to connect to VPN (Global Protect) via mobile hotspot - it used to work

Andy_878 — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:03:26 GMT

I'm not able to change the settings on my corporate device. Also, the VPN provider is set on my corporate device - im speaking with the technical teams but don't think there are any options.

Can you help with the question I posted? is the issue with the 4gee device itself or the EE SIM? - so, if I got a different (non EE) device and inserted the EE sim would this work with GP (my VPN) ?

Thanks, Andy