Skip to main content

​
Overview

The mullvad auto-connect command controls whether the VPN automatically connects when the Mullvad daemon starts.

​
Syntax

mullvad auto-connect <SUBCOMMAND>

​
Subcommands

​
get

Display the current auto-connect setting: 
mullvad auto-connect get

​
set

Change the auto-connect setting: 
mullvad auto-connect set <on|off>
Arguments:
  • on - Enable automatic connection on startup
  • off - Disable automatic connection (manual connection required)

​
Behavior

​
Auto-Connect ON

When auto-connect is enabled:
  • VPN automatically connects when the Mullvad daemon starts
  • Connection happens at system boot (if daemon starts automatically)
  • Uses current relay constraints for server selection
  • Reconnects automatically if connection drops
  • Provides “always-on” VPN functionality

​
Auto-Connect OFF

When auto-connect is disabled:
  • VPN remains disconnected at startup
  • Manual connection required using mullvad connect
  • Gives you control over when to connect

​
Examples

​
Check Current Setting

mullvad auto-connect get
Output when enabled: 
Autoconnect: on
Output when disabled: 
Autoconnect: off

​
Enable Auto-Connect

mullvad auto-connect set on
Output: 
Changed auto-connect setting

​
Disable Auto-Connect

mullvad auto-connect set off
Output: 
Changed auto-connect setting

​
Use Cases

​
Always-On VPN Protection

Enable auto-connect for continuous protection: 
mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
This combination:
  • Automatically connects at startup
  • Blocks traffic if VPN disconnects
  • Provides maximum privacy protection
  • Ideal for privacy-conscious users

​
Manual VPN Control

Disable auto-connect for manual control: 
mullvad auto-connect set off
mullvad lockdown-mode set off
This allows:
  • Manual connection when needed
  • Normal internet access by default
  • Flexibility for different usage scenarios

​
Selective VPN Usage

Disable auto-connect but enable lockdown mode: 
mullvad auto-connect set off
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
Result:
  • VPN doesn’t connect automatically
  • No internet access until you manually connect
  • Prevents accidental unprotected connections

​
Timing and Startup Behavior

​
When Auto-Connect Triggers

Auto-connect activates when:
  1. System boots (if daemon starts automatically)
  2. Mullvad daemon starts or restarts
  3. Daemon recovers from a crash
Auto-connect does NOT trigger when:
  • You manually disconnect using mullvad disconnect
  • You close the Mullvad app (daemon keeps running)

​
Startup Sequence

With auto-connect enabled: 
1. System boots
2. Mullvad daemon starts
3. Auto-connect initiates connection
4. Relay is selected based on constraints
5. VPN connection establishes
6. Internet access through VPN

​
Interaction with Other Settings

​
Lockdown Mode

Auto-connect works well with lockdown mode: 
mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
Behavior:
  • At startup, lockdown mode blocks all traffic
  • Auto-connect immediately starts connecting
  • Traffic remains blocked until connected
  • No IP leaks during boot

​
Relay Constraints

Auto-connect uses your current relay settings: 
# Set preferred location
mullvad relay set location se

# Enable auto-connect
mullvad auto-connect set on
Result: Automatically connects to Swedish relay at startup

​
Manual Disconnect

Manually disconnecting doesn’t disable auto-connect: 
# Disconnect manually
mullvad disconnect

# Auto-connect is still enabled
mullvad auto-connect get
# Output: Autoconnect: on

# Auto-connect triggers again on next daemon start

​
System Integration

​
Linux

On Linux, auto-connect works with systemd: 
# Daemon starts automatically
sudo systemctl enable mullvad-daemon

# With auto-connect on, VPN connects at boot
mullvad auto-connect set on

​
macOS

On macOS, auto-connect works with Launch Daemons: 
# Daemon starts automatically
# With auto-connect on, VPN connects at login
mullvad auto-connect set on

​
Windows

On Windows, auto-connect works with Windows Services: 
# Service starts automatically
# With auto-connect on, VPN connects at startup
mullvad auto-connect set on
  • connect - Manually connect to VPN
  • disconnect - Manually disconnect from VPN
  • lockdown - Configure traffic blocking when disconnected
  • relay - Set relay constraints for auto-connect
  • status - Check connection status

​
Exit Status

CodeDescription
0Setting updated successfully
1Failed to update setting

​
Notes

  • Auto-connect setting is persistent across restarts
  • The setting is stored in Mullvad daemon configuration
  • Manual disconnection doesn’t disable auto-connect
  • Auto-connect respects current relay constraints
  • Works on all platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows)

​
Maximum Privacy

mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
mullvad lan set block
Result: Always protected, no leaks, maximum privacy

​
Balanced Privacy

mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
mullvad lan set allow
Result: Always protected, local network accessible

​
Manual Control

mullvad auto-connect set off
mullvad lockdown-mode set off
Result: Full control, connect when needed

​
Troubleshooting

​
Auto-Connect Not Working

If VPN doesn’t connect at startup:
  1. Check auto-connect setting: 
    mullvad auto-connect get
  2. Verify daemon is running: 
    # Linux
systemctl status mullvad-daemon

# macOS
launchctl list | grep mullvad

# Windows
sc query mullvad-daemon
  3. Check daemon logs for connection errors
  4. Verify you’re logged in: 
    mullvad account get

​
Unwanted Auto-Connection

If VPN connects when you don’t want it to: 
mullvad auto-connect set off

​
Source Reference

Implementation: mullvad-cli/src/cmds/auto_connect.rs

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us