[GH-ISSUE #5162] iOS states 'disconnecting' instead of 'connecting' #10021

Open
opened 2026-08-05 01:24:21 -04:00 by saavagebueno · 10 comments
Owner

Originally created by @Willenborx on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5162

Describe the problem

When NetBird is disconnected, the grey 'disconnected' icon is shown. When clicking it, it should try to connect stating 'connecting...' and connect. Instead it says 'Disconnecting...' and remains disconnected after a few seconds. So I have no chance to connect.

To Reproduce

If this happens on your iPhone, you observe the behavior described above.

Expected behavior

When the grey circle 'Disconnected' is clicked I would expect the client to say 'Connecting...' and connect to the NetBird servers.

Are you using NetBird Cloud?

yes

NetBird version

iOS 0.0.15

Is any other VPN software installed?

None active (inactive OpenVPN, WireGuard)

Debug output/Screenshots
image
image
netbird-app.log

Additional context

It worked fine for weeks before. When deinstalling/reinstalling, it works for a day or so.

Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?

  • Reviewed client troubleshooting (if applicable)
  • Checked for newer NetBird versions
  • Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones)
  • Restarted the NetBird client
  • Disabled other VPN software
  • Checked firewall settings
Originally created by @Willenborx on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5162 **Describe the problem** When NetBird is disconnected, the grey 'disconnected' icon is shown. When clicking it, it should try to connect stating 'connecting...' and connect. Instead it says 'Disconnecting...' and remains disconnected after a few seconds. So I have no chance to connect. **To Reproduce** If this happens on your iPhone, you observe the behavior described above. **Expected behavior** When the grey circle 'Disconnected' is clicked I would expect the client to say 'Connecting...' and connect to the NetBird servers. **Are you using NetBird Cloud?** yes **NetBird version** iOS 0.0.15 **Is any other VPN software installed?** None active (inactive OpenVPN, WireGuard) **Debug output/Screenshots** ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4cf3e969-a569-44d0-b4a9-bcf732f712a2) ![image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e55a48b6-3dfd-4536-82d0-219c4f96a8b7) [netbird-app.log](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/24816597/netbird-app.log) **Additional context** It worked fine for weeks before. When deinstalling/reinstalling, it works for a day or so. **Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?** - [X] Reviewed [client troubleshooting](https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/troubleshooting-client) (if applicable) - [X] Checked for newer NetBird versions - [x] Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones) - [X] Restarted the NetBird client - [X] Disabled other VPN software - [X] Checked firewall settings
saavagebueno added the triage-needed label 2026-08-05 01:24:21 -04:00
Author
Owner

@Willenborx commented on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026):

I now noticed a weird thing (after reinstalling the app): The app shows "Disconnected"(like in the screenshot above "0 of 0 Peers connected"), but it's connected. This is reproducable even if I change the network (to 5G in this case) and reconnect again... It says "Disconnecting...", goes to status grey "Disconnected..." / 0 of 0 Peers ... - but it is actually connected.

After reinstalling the device obtains a new ID from the Netbird cloud service (as expected).

I was now able to workaround the issue by switching the phone off and on again.

After switching it on again, the behaviour returns to normal (while reinstalling the app did not help)

<!-- gh-comment-id:3790167247 --> @Willenborx commented on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026): I now noticed a weird thing (after reinstalling the app): The app shows "Disconnected"(like in the screenshot above "0 of 0 Peers connected"), but it's connected. This is reproducable even if I change the network (to 5G in this case) and reconnect again... It says "Disconnecting...", goes to status grey "Disconnected..." / 0 of 0 Peers ... - but it is actually connected. After reinstalling the device obtains a new ID from the Netbird cloud service (as expected). **I was now able to workaround the issue by switching the phone off and on again.** After switching it on again, the behaviour returns to normal (while reinstalling the app did not help)
Author
Owner

@nicholas-alonzo commented on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026):

I also had this issue and when I used the toggle under Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, it behaved like normal again

<!-- gh-comment-id:3792232268 --> @nicholas-alonzo commented on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026): I also had this issue and when I used the toggle under Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, it behaved like normal again
Author
Owner

@ephb commented on GitHub (Jan 24, 2026):

I also had this issue and when I used the toggle under Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, it behaved like normal again

I have noticed the same behavior and this workaround worked in my case too on iOS 26.2.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3794192701 --> @ephb commented on GitHub (Jan 24, 2026): > I also had this issue and when I used the toggle under Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, it behaved like normal again I have noticed the same behavior and this workaround worked in my case too on iOS 26.2.
Author
Owner

@mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Jan 29, 2026):

We have fixed a similar problem on the latest app version from Tuesday, can you confirm if this happens with it?

<!-- gh-comment-id:3815847455 --> @mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Jan 29, 2026): We have fixed a similar problem on the latest app version from Tuesday, can you confirm if this happens with it?
Author
Owner

@ephb commented on GitHub (Jan 29, 2026):

I did not see the issue when using the app today. I will report back, if I encounter it again.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3820125160 --> @ephb commented on GitHub (Jan 29, 2026): I did not see the issue when using the app today. I will report back, if I encounter it again.
Author
Owner

@Willenborx commented on GitHub (Jan 30, 2026):

Did connect normally today.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3822052723 --> @Willenborx commented on GitHub (Jan 30, 2026): Did connect normally today.
Author
Owner

@Willenborx commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026):

I still have weird issues. Today it worked forver saying "Connecting...", after 2 minutes I shutdown the app after restart it said "Disconnecting..." and went to "grey" disconnected. I activeted the connection in the VPN menu and it worked.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3860353626 --> @Willenborx commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026): I still have weird issues. Today it worked forver saying "Connecting...", after 2 minutes I shutdown the app after restart it said "Disconnecting..." and went to "grey" disconnected. I activeted the connection in the VPN menu and it worked.
Author
Owner

@Willenborx commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026):

Forgot to mention: iOS Version 0.0.17 on iOS 26.2.1

<!-- gh-comment-id:3860358776 --> @Willenborx commented on GitHub (Feb 6, 2026): Forgot to mention: iOS Version 0.0.17 on iOS 26.2.1
Author
Owner

@Willenborx commented on GitHub (Feb 28, 2026):

With 0.0.18 I still have the isse that sometimes the Netbird "ring" is orange but saying "Disconnected". When tapping it it actually disconnects and turns grey. Retapping connects it again.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3976625175 --> @Willenborx commented on GitHub (Feb 28, 2026): With 0.0.18 I still have the isse that sometimes the Netbird "ring" is orange but saying "Disconnected". When tapping it it actually disconnects and turns grey. Retapping connects it again.
Author
Owner

@mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Feb 28, 2026):

Hello @Willenborx we have a new version on our beta channel. If you want to test the fix and the new design, you can sign up for it in the about menu.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3976727942 --> @mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Feb 28, 2026): Hello @Willenborx we have a new version on our beta channel. If you want to test the fix and the new design, you can sign up for it in the about menu.
Sign in to join this conversation.
No Label triage-needed
1 Participants
Notifications
Due Date
No due date set.
Dependencies

No dependencies set.

Reference: DYNR/netbird#10021