What new protections does ExpressVPN 14.3.1 offer across all VPN protocols?
ExpressVPN's update to version 14.3.1 brings Advanced Protection features—which block ads, trackers, and malicious sites—to work on every VPN protocol including OpenVPN and WireGuard, not just Lightway. This means you can maintain robust privacy protections even if you switch protocols to bypass network restrictions or troubleshoot connectivity.
How do rebuilt speed tests and smarter split tunneling improve your VPN experience?
The new speed test runs faster and provides more accurate results, helping you pick the fastest server without guesswork. Meanwhile, split tunneling has been enhanced for greater reliability on excluded apps, with reduced CPU usage on Windows and improved handling of DNS traffic on Mac to work smoothly alongside other protections.
Practical tips:
- Run the updated speed test before connecting to select the best server based on current network conditions.
- Use split tunneling wisely to route trusted apps outside the VPN for better speed while protecting sensitive apps inside the VPN.
What reliability and accessibility fixes does version 14.3.1 provide for desktop users?
Each platform gets important fixes to improve stability:
- Mac: Stops Docker containers from interfering with VPN networking and allows the app to open without network access after waking or startup.
- Windows: Ensures VPN stays connected when the screen turns off on Modern Standby PCs, and improves installation on ARM64 devices.
- Linux: Welcomes better Lightway routing, DNS setup compatibility with resolvectl (popular on distributions like Pop!_OS), and native desktop notifications.
Additionally, screen readers can now better navigate the app interface and receive announcements about connection status and setting changes, enhancing accessibility for visually impaired users.
How to update and verify your ExpressVPN app version
If you already have ExpressVPN installed, version 14.3.1 will likely update automatically. To confirm the current version:
- Open the ExpressVPN app on your Windows, Mac, or Linux device.
- Check the app version number displayed at the bottom of the sidebar.
- If not updated, visit ExpressVPN's official website to download the latest build manually.
What should users take away from this update?
This update makes ExpressVPN more flexible by extending Advanced Protection to all VPN protocols, meaning you don't compromise on ad and tracker blocking when switching protocols. Faster speed tests and smarter split tunneling allow for smoother, more customized VPN use without sacrificing performance. Platform-specific fixes and accessibility improvements enhance overall reliability and user-friendliness across Windows, Mac, and Linux, making ExpressVPN a stronger choice for privacy-conscious users and those with diverse usage scenarios.