Configure VPN Connection on Android (OpenVPN)

Requirement!

To set up the VPN, you need a second factor (abbreviation: 2FA or MFA). This is an additional security layer in addition to your HTW account password. You can set up the second factor within the account service using the following guide:
Multi-Factor Authentication

It is strongly recommended not to run any additional VPN clients in parallel!

Step 1: Download OpenVPN from the Google Play Store

Install the OpenVPN client from the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Confirm the EULA

After installation, launch the OpenVPN app and confirm the license agreement (EULA) by clicking "AGREE".

OpenVPN Eula

Step 3: Load and select the configuration file

Download the VPN profile from our download portal (you need to log in with your HTW account). Then return to this guide.

To download the VPN profile

After the download: Select the "Upload File" tab in the OpenVPN app, click "BROWSE," and choose the configuration file you just downloaded.

OpenVPN Profile Import Page

Step 4: Confirm the import

Confirm the import by clicking "OK."

OpenVPN Profile Import Confirmation

Step 5: Login

In the view, enter your HTW account username & password (without @htw-berlin.de; e.g. s0000001 or amuster) in the “Username” field and click on “CONNECT”.

OpenVPN Login View

Step 6: Second Factor

Enter the one-time password (numeric code) generated by your authenticator app in this view. You set up this app using our guide. Then click "SEND."

Confirm any permission requests here by clicking "OK."

OpenVPN Second Factor

Step 7: Successfully Connected

If everything was entered correctly, you will see "CONNECTED" in the OpenVPN app.

When the app is closed, it will continue to run in the background.

OpenVPN Successfully Connected

NO openVPN possible in eduroam or the HTW network!

In the entire HTW Berlin network (including in the eduroam WLAN), an OpenVPN connection cannot be established (a timeout is displayed in the OpenVPN client).

Its use is mainly intended for outside the university.

in case of a slow or unstable OpenVPN connection

User experience has shown that you may experience speed or stability problems with OpenVPN if your Internet connection does not have a public IPv4 address but uses Dual-Stack Lite instead, which means multiple customers share a single IPv4 address.

If you notice that your OpenVPN connection is very slow or unstable, please try using a different Internet connection (e.g. the mobile hotspot of your smartphone via the mobile network). If the problem does not exist there, you might contact your Internet provider and ask them to provide you with your own IPv4 address for your Internet connection. A dynamic IPv4 address is sufficient for this; a fixed IP address (often offered for a fee) is not required.

Uninstallation of old VPN clients

After completing the installation, we recommend uninstalling old installations of the Cisco AnyConnect program (if you used our old VPN client).