Google has rolled out a slew of fixes that should resolve some lingering issues with VPN services and Wi-Fi connections, a problem that emerged following the release of the Android 8.1 Oreo update, recent reports indicate. More specifically, the issue had been disabling apps from establishing a stable internet connection via a Wi-Fi network when a VPN service was in use. Although Google has yet to release an official announcement of the fix, it now seems that most of the issues with connecting to the internet on devices that received the Android 8.1 Oreo update and use VPN services have been fixed.
The fix is expected to roll out to a larger number of users over the next few days as an OTA (over-the-air) package. The problem in question involved apps that use an internet connection through a Wi-Fi network to work properly. However, over the last couple of months since the rollout of Android 8.1 Oreo update, many users encountered a problem that prevented their apps from recognizing a device’s Wi-Fi connection even if the device in question was connected to a VPN network, thus the failure of the apps to work as expected. As mentioned, this problem occurred when the VPN connection was enabled, though the apps worked normally when the VPN connection was turned off. That problem has been fixed with the latest update from the Mountain View, California-based internet giant.
Furthermore, another previously discovered issue with the Android 8.1 Oreo update was that Internet-based apps seemed to confuse a Wi-Fi network for a cellular data connection. Once such apps were connected to the internet via a mobile data connection, however, they began to work as usual. This particular issue apparently started manifesting itself last September when some users reported that their mobile data allotment was consumed even if their handsets were connected to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection, leaving many users with hefty mobile bills. Like the VPN connection issue, this one has been fixed with the latest update from Google, though the OTA package is likely to take some time before it hits all devices with connectivity problems.