How to Set Up Split Tunneling for Different Apps
Use app exclusions to choose which traffic goes through the VPN, then verify the route for work tools, local services and everyday browsing.
Some apps require going through a VPN, others using a regular network. Split tunneling allows these two needs to exist simultaneously. Before setting, confirm whether the list is "include" or "exclude", and then verify the actual paths of the applications one by one.
Excluded apps use the regular network. When checking the connection, you should confirm whether the test browser and the target application follow the same path.
01Split tunneling splits traffic into two paths
Split tunneling allows some apps to continue through the VPN and others to use the regular network. ZoogVPN's split tunneling instructions adopt application exclusion: applications that need to maintain regular connections are excluded from the VPN tunnel.
This is suitable for scenarios where you have different tasks going on at the same time, such as a work app staying on VPN while an app that requires a local egress uses a regular connection.
| path | How to connect apps to the Internet | Differences to know |
|---|---|---|
| Via VPN | Traffic goes through VPN tunnel | Websites typically see VPN exit addresses. |
| regular connection | Excluded apps go directly to the Internet | Traffic does not go through the VPN and may show a regular network egress address. |
02In what situations is split tunneling suitable?
- Work remotely: Keep work apps that require VPN connected.
- Local services: Exclude apps that require a regular network location on demand.
- Multitasking: Reduce the need to repeatedly turn on and off VPN for different applications.
- Transmission scheduling: Choose appropriate network paths for different tasks, but don’t mistakenly exclude transmissions that need protection.
03Set up an app exclusion list
- Open ZoogVPN settings and find the Split Tunneling or split tunneling option.
- Read the option description first to confirm whether the current interface uses inclusion or exclusion.
- Add apps that require regular network to the corresponding list and save the settings.
- Follow the app prompts to reconnect; close and reopen the adjusted app if necessary.
- Check whether the VPN path and regular path applications can access the service normally.
04How to confirm after adjustment?
If the browser is excluded, its IP detection results may show a regular network address, which does not mean that other applications that go through the VPN will follow the same path. Each application's settings and connection results should be checked individually.
Split tunneling, system proxies, and browser extensions may affect routing at the same time. When you encounter results that are not as expected, check the application list first, and then check other network configurations, instead of judging the entire device's connection based on just one web page.
05FAQ
Will split tunneling automatically make all apps faster?
Won't. It mainly adjusts the connection path of the application, and the speed also depends on the network, server and application itself.
Why do excluded browsers show the original IP?
Because it uses a regular connection. This is the expected behavior after split tunneling is excluded and does not mean that other applications are also excluded.
What should I do if the application still follows the old path after adjusting the list?
Save the settings and follow the prompts to reconnect, then close and reopen the relevant application to check whether there are other proxy configurations.