Bug 401347

Summary:	Unable to connect to KDE with mobile connection
Product:	[Applications] kdeconnect	Reporter:	kdebugs2018Nov
Component:	android-application	Assignee:	Albert Vaca Cintora <albertvaka>
Status:	REPORTED ---
Severity:	normal	CC:	cam.webb, cwo.kde, daniel.moyne, kdebugtracker, max, richardjacton
Priority:	NOR	Keywords:	regression, usability
Version First Reported In:	1.10
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Kubuntu
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description kdebugs2018Nov 2018-11-23 19:31:55 UTC

Hi,

since 1.10 it is not possible connecting via mobile connection. The App always says something like this: "you using mobile connection. Enable wlan to connect".
1.8.4 works normally over mobile connections


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. install 1.10 on android
2. use cable network or private apn.
3. Enter KDE-Device using IP-Address

OBSERVED RESULT
1.10 will not connect, but only shows the Errormessage


EXPECTED RESULT
1.8.4 connects normally without any trouble.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Android Apps: 1.8.4 works
1.10 shows error

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Comment 1 kdebugs2018Nov 2018-11-23 19:33:47 UTC

*** Bug 401348 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

Comment 2 kdebugtracker 2020-05-29 19:54:58 UTC

This issue still persists on 1.14.2 when using a VPN on a mobile connection to connect back to the KDE machine via IP

Comment 3 Daniel Moyne 2021-04-09 09:17:24 UTC

when I connect my mobile to usb my phone keeps asking for authorization ; when I validate the authorization the same demand keeps coming back on my phone with a synchronized notification on my computer and therefore the connection is never established and I can no more recover data from my phone to my computer

Comment 4 Max Goodell 2023-01-23 17:49:59 UTC

It would be very useful to be able to connect to a device over a VPN tunnel over mobile data, but it seems like it's only possible using wifi.
Maybe it's possible to add an option to select which interfaces the app is allowed to communicate using?

Comment 5 Richard J. Acton 2025-12-08 21:49:48 UTC

Just to provide a concrete example here. I have KDE connect on my android device which has tailscale as an always on VPN and my laptop added via it's tailscale IP address.

KDE connect does not show my laptop as available when I'm on a mobile connection but still connected to my tailnet and thus have access to the laptop via that VPN connection as if I was on the same LAN, and at the same IP I normally use.

When I'm on mobile data I have been able to get KDE connect to talk to my laptop if I enable wifi even if I'm not connected to a wifi network with an internet connection. So it seems that KDE connect on android is doing something like detecting if wifi is on and only working if it is, even when it could connect over the mobile data connection via the VPN.

For my use case I would prefer that there at least be a option to still make connections even if wifi is off.