Troubleshooting Alpaca on Android

Last updated: 2026-10-31

Something not quite right? Most problems have a quick fix. Find the one that matches what you're seeing.

Why does my phone show a key icon or VPN?

Android gives every app that filters on the device the same kind of permission, and calls it a "VPN". While Alpaca's protection is on, Android shows a small key icon in the status bar, and lists Alpaca under Settings › Network & internet › VPN.

For Alpaca, this is a local connection that stays on the device and is used only to filter. It doesn't send your browsing through us, it doesn't change your IP address, and it isn't a proxy. Alpaca checks addresses against its filter list right on the device, and the lookups it allows go to the DNS resolver you've chosen.

The key icon is also a handy check: if you can see it, Alpaca's filtering connection is active.

Alpaca stops when I use another VPN

Android runs only one VPN at a time. When another VPN app connects, Alpaca's protection stops.

To get protection back, disconnect the other VPN app, then turn protection on again in Alpaca. Check that the key icon is back in the status bar.

Protection stopped after an app update

After Alpaca updates, open the app once so protection can start again.

Protection stops by itself in the background

Some phones close apps running in the background to save battery, and that can stop Alpaca. To help keep protection running, let Alpaca run in the background:

1. Open Android Settings › Apps › Alpaca.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Choose Unrestricted, or turn on Allow background activity.

The menu names differ by phone maker, so look for the closest match on your device.

Protection is off after I restart my phone

Protection comes back on by itself after a restart, once you unlock the device for the first time. If it still shows Protection Off, open Alpaca and tap Turn On.

The internet isn't working on public Wi-Fi

Many cafés, hotels and airports show a sign-in page before you can use their Wi-Fi. Finish that sign-in page first. If the internet still doesn't work, turn protection off and on again in Alpaca.

The notification says "Couldn't connect" or "Reconnecting…"

Try these steps in order:

1. Turn protection off and on again in Alpaca.
2. Turn Airplane mode on, wait a few seconds, and turn it off again.
3. Check that no other VPN app is connected.

On some workplace or school networks, outside DNS services are blocked. If the problem only happens on one of those networks, that may be the reason.

An app or website won't load

If something you need won't load:

1. Turn protection off for a moment and try again. If it loads now, Alpaca's filtering is the likely cause.
2. Try a lighter preset. In Expert mode, switch to Standard. Lockdown may block VPN apps and some work apps, and Privacy may affect some Apple and Microsoft services.
3. Check Exceptions. In Settings › Exceptions, turn on the switch for the feature you need, such as Facebook and Instagram comments, Log in with Facebook, WhatsApp, or LinkedIn embeds and sign-in.

You can't add your own websites to an allow list on Android. If a website you rely on is filtered by mistake, please contact our support team and tell us which one.

I'm still seeing ads

Alpaca is designed to filter out ads that come from known advertising addresses. Some ads are served from the same addresses as the content itself, such as the ads inside YouTube videos, and filtering them this way may not be possible.

Make sure Ads & Tracking is turned on, and check the key icon to confirm protection is active.

I don't see the Alpaca notification

On Android 13 and later, Alpaca asks for permission to show notifications. If you didn't allow it, there's no status notification, though protection still works. You can allow notifications for Alpaca in Android Settings › Apps › Alpaca › Notifications.

Also check that Settings › General › Connection Notifications is turned on in Alpaca.

Do I need to change Private DNS?

No. You don't need any special Private DNS setup for Alpaca to work.

Still need help?

Visit our support page or contact our support team. During setup, the Having Trouble? link in the app takes you to support as well. Let us know your phone model, your Android version and what you're seeing, and we'll help you get it sorted.