TunnelBear won't connect — what to do

If TunnelBear is unable to establish a connection, work through these steps in order:

  1. Check your internet connection — TunnelBear requires an active connection to work. Open a website without the VPN to confirm you are online.
  2. Restart the app — Force-quit TunnelBear and reopen it. This clears temporary state that can prevent connections.
  3. Try a different country — Some servers may be temporarily overloaded. Tap a different country and attempt to connect again.
  4. Switch protocols — Navigate to Settings → Connection and choose a different protocol. If GhostBear is enabled, try disabling it.
  5. Reinstall TunnelBear — Uninstall the app, restart your device, and install a fresh copy from the official source.