> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# mullvad auto-connect

> Configure automatic VPN connection on startup

## Overview

The `mullvad auto-connect` command controls whether the VPN automatically connects when the Mullvad daemon starts.

## Syntax

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect <SUBCOMMAND>
```

## Subcommands

### get

Display the current auto-connect setting:

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect get
```

### set

Change the auto-connect setting:

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set <on|off>
```

**Arguments:**

* `on` - Enable automatic connection on startup
* `off` - Disable automatic connection (manual connection required)

## Behavior

### Auto-Connect ON

When auto-connect is enabled:

* VPN automatically connects when the Mullvad daemon starts
* Connection happens at system boot (if daemon starts automatically)
* Uses current relay constraints for server selection
* Reconnects automatically if connection drops
* Provides "always-on" VPN functionality

### Auto-Connect OFF

When auto-connect is disabled:

* VPN remains disconnected at startup
* Manual connection required using `mullvad connect`
* Gives you control over when to connect

## Examples

### Check Current Setting

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect get
```

Output when enabled:

```
Autoconnect: on
```

Output when disabled:

```
Autoconnect: off
```

### Enable Auto-Connect

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set on
```

Output:

```
Changed auto-connect setting
```

### Disable Auto-Connect

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set off
```

Output:

```
Changed auto-connect setting
```

## Use Cases

### Always-On VPN Protection

Enable auto-connect for continuous protection:

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
```

This combination:

* Automatically connects at startup
* Blocks traffic if VPN disconnects
* Provides maximum privacy protection
* Ideal for privacy-conscious users

### Manual VPN Control

Disable auto-connect for manual control:

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set off
mullvad lockdown-mode set off
```

This allows:

* Manual connection when needed
* Normal internet access by default
* Flexibility for different usage scenarios

### Selective VPN Usage

Disable auto-connect but enable lockdown mode:

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set off
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
```

Result:

* VPN doesn't connect automatically
* No internet access until you manually connect
* Prevents accidental unprotected connections

## Timing and Startup Behavior

### When Auto-Connect Triggers

Auto-connect activates when:

1. System boots (if daemon starts automatically)
2. Mullvad daemon starts or restarts
3. Daemon recovers from a crash

Auto-connect does NOT trigger when:

* You manually disconnect using `mullvad disconnect`
* You close the Mullvad app (daemon keeps running)

### Startup Sequence

With auto-connect enabled:

```
1. System boots
2. Mullvad daemon starts
3. Auto-connect initiates connection
4. Relay is selected based on constraints
5. VPN connection establishes
6. Internet access through VPN
```

## Interaction with Other Settings

### Lockdown Mode

Auto-connect works well with lockdown mode:

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
```

**Behavior:**

* At startup, lockdown mode blocks all traffic
* Auto-connect immediately starts connecting
* Traffic remains blocked until connected
* No IP leaks during boot

### Relay Constraints

Auto-connect uses your current relay settings:

```bash theme={null}
# Set preferred location
mullvad relay set location se

# Enable auto-connect
mullvad auto-connect set on
```

Result: Automatically connects to Swedish relay at startup

### Manual Disconnect

Manually disconnecting doesn't disable auto-connect:

```bash theme={null}
# Disconnect manually
mullvad disconnect

# Auto-connect is still enabled
mullvad auto-connect get
# Output: Autoconnect: on

# Auto-connect triggers again on next daemon start
```

## System Integration

### Linux

On Linux, auto-connect works with systemd:

```bash theme={null}
# Daemon starts automatically
sudo systemctl enable mullvad-daemon

# With auto-connect on, VPN connects at boot
mullvad auto-connect set on
```

### macOS

On macOS, auto-connect works with Launch Daemons:

```bash theme={null}
# Daemon starts automatically
# With auto-connect on, VPN connects at login
mullvad auto-connect set on
```

### Windows

On Windows, auto-connect works with Windows Services:

```powershell theme={null}
# Service starts automatically
# With auto-connect on, VPN connects at startup
mullvad auto-connect set on
```

## Related Commands

* [connect](/cli/commands/connect) - Manually connect to VPN
* [disconnect](/cli/commands/disconnect) - Manually disconnect from VPN
* [lockdown](/cli/commands/lockdown) - Configure traffic blocking when disconnected
* [relay](/cli/commands/relay) - Set relay constraints for auto-connect
* [status](/cli/commands/status) - Check connection status

## Exit Status

| Code | Description                  |
| ---- | ---------------------------- |
| 0    | Setting updated successfully |
| 1    | Failed to update setting     |

## Notes

* Auto-connect setting is persistent across restarts
* The setting is stored in Mullvad daemon configuration
* Manual disconnection doesn't disable auto-connect
* Auto-connect respects current relay constraints
* Works on all platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows)

## Recommended Configurations

### Maximum Privacy

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
mullvad lan set block
```

Result: Always protected, no leaks, maximum privacy

### Balanced Privacy

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set on
mullvad lockdown-mode set on
mullvad lan set allow
```

Result: Always protected, local network accessible

### Manual Control

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set off
mullvad lockdown-mode set off
```

Result: Full control, connect when needed

## Troubleshooting

### Auto-Connect Not Working

If VPN doesn't connect at startup:

1. Check auto-connect setting:
   ```bash theme={null}
   mullvad auto-connect get
   ```

2. Verify daemon is running:
   ```bash theme={null}
   # Linux
   systemctl status mullvad-daemon

   # macOS
   launchctl list | grep mullvad

   # Windows
   sc query mullvad-daemon
   ```

3. Check daemon logs for connection errors

4. Verify you're logged in:
   ```bash theme={null}
   mullvad account get
   ```

### Unwanted Auto-Connection

If VPN connects when you don't want it to:

```bash theme={null}
mullvad auto-connect set off
```

## Source Reference

Implementation: `mullvad-cli/src/cmds/auto_connect.rs`