- Proton VPN iOS users get map overhaul and smarter sorting
- Proton is also in the middle of a “speedrun” to fix Linux and Mac UX
- After Windows and Android, Proton is constantly renewing all applications
Proton VPN has announced a new wave of updates to its iOS, macOS, and Linux apps, aiming to unify the user experience and align its mobile and desktop apps with its premium offerings for Windows and Android.
For users of one of the best VPN services on the market, the update addresses long-standing requests for more granular control. It follows a similar revamp launched on Windows and Android apps in early February.
Historically, VPN providers prioritize Windows, often leaving Apple and Linux users with fewer interface features. Proton, however, is now signaling a major shift in its development priorities to ensure no platform is left behind.
David Peterson, CEO of Proton VPN, detailed progress on social media, highlighting that the iPhone ecosystem has actually surpassed other platforms in specific design aspects.
VPN apps for Linux and Mac are next, as the company is “constantly working to bring the UX” to the same level across all apps, Peterson said.
The iOS application is ahead of the Android one
The most immediate functional improvements are available for iOS users. In a move that highlights Proton’s focus on visual precision, Peterson noted that the iPhone app has received a unique design polish that its Android sibling currently lacks.
“Actually, if you look closely, you’ll see that on iOS the map pin is in the city instead of in the center of the country like it is on Android.” Peterson explained. “So actually, the iOS map has moved ahead of Android for the moment.”
We’re constantly working to bring the UX of our @ProtonVPN apps for iOS, Mac and Linux to the same level as we have for Windows and Android. Latest quality of life tweak for iOS: You can now find servers by city/state and sorted by load. pic.twitter.com/cqv3BZwVuBFebruary 24, 2026
The new tools focus on precision and performance:
- Grouping at city level: Available as of version 7.1.0, users can now see map marks located exactly at the city location, instead of a generic mark in the center of a country.
- Server Load Rating: Users can now “sort servers by load (not just name)” a feature implemented in version 7.0.0 to help avoid congested servers.
- Operating system requirements: Peterson clarified that version 7.0.0 and higher requires at least iOS 17 to function.
Linux ‘Speedrun’
While iPhone users enjoy immediate updates, the Linux community has been vocal about the “basic” and “horrible” user experience of their platform. Peterson acknowledged these frustrations and stated that the Linux ecosystem is currently getting the “speedrun” treatment to catch up.
The first major milestone in this process was the migration to the GTK4 framework, a technical change that reported last month that it allows for a much more fluid and modern interface.
While the visual overhaul is still being polished “behind the scenes,” this framework update is the essential foundation for a user interface that will eventually match the sleek design of Proton’s other apps.
