Proton VPN unveils major iOS 8.0 update, awaiting App Store launch

Proton VPN disclosed a significant refresh of its iPhone app, version 8.0.0, now posted on the project's GitHub repository. The package has not yet surfaced in the Apple App Store, so iOS users must wait for the official release before they can obtain the update via the standard channel.

This release represents the inaugural instance of the firm publishing an entire iOS client source bundle on its open‑source platform. By making the code publicly accessible, Proton indicates a move toward increased transparency and welcomes community examination of the modifications that drive the new version.

Central to the overhaul is a rebuilt VPN core written in Rust, a language lauded for its memory safety and speed. This fresh engine drives Proton's proprietary VPN protocols, intended to offer heightened resistance to network censorship and to boost overall connection stability relative to prior implementations.

User‑visible upgrades include a sophisticated kill‑switch that more forcefully halts traffic when the VPN disconnects, an interactive globe map enabling users to see server locations and load, and improved Apple CarPlay support, permitting the app to be used from a vehicle’s infotainment system without sacrificing security.

Analysts observe that the blend of a Rust‑based core and the new privacy‑centric features might render the iOS client the most consequential update in years. Should the upcoming App Store approval go smoothly, the upgrade could establish a fresh standard for mobile VPN performance and may compel rivals to pursue comparable low‑level redesigns. Proton has not disclosed a schedule for the App Store launch, yet the GitHub posting implies the firm is nearing the end of internal testing.