VPN Game Mode

What VPN Game Mode is

Game Mode is a VPN preset that sends only your selected game through the IQON VPN. Every other app stays on your normal internet connection.When you pick a game, IQON turns on split tunneling in Include mode, adds that game as the only included app, and clears any network routes you added yourself. While Game Mode is active, the VPN page and the VPN tray show a "Game Mode: [game name]" badge.VPN Game Mode is separate from Windows Game Mode, which is a Windows performance setting. IQON's Game Mode only changes how VPN traffic is routed.

Why use it

A full VPN sends all of your traffic through the VPN server, including voice chat, your browser, and background downloads. Game Mode keeps only the game on the VPN, so your other apps don't share the connection with game traffic.You also don't have to build Include mode rules yourself, because choosing the game sets everything up. For the best latency, pick a server close to the game's region. Some games also show a "Game Mode Recommended" list of servers.

How to turn on Game Mode

From the VPN page

IQON VPN page with the Game Mode button and the Servers list highlighted.

Open VPN in IQON.
Select "Game Mode" next to "Connect" and "Auto".
Choose an installed game. A check mark shows the active game.
Pick a server from the "Servers" list, or select "Auto" to let IQON choose one.
Select "Connect". When the connection is up, the "Game Mode: [game name]" badge confirms that Game Mode is active.

IQON Game Mode dialog listing installed games to route through the VPN.

If you're already connected when you choose a game, IQON saves the change and shows "Changes will apply on the next VPN reconnect." Disconnect and connect again to apply it.

From the VPN tray

If "VPN tray icon" is turned on in Settings > VPN, the tray window has a Game Mode button. It opens the VPN page with the Game Mode dialog already open. The tray also shows the Game Mode badge while Game Mode is active.

From VPN settings

Open Settings > VPN, or select the gear icon on the VPN page. Under Split Tunneling, choose a game from the "Game Mode" dropdown. IQON saves the change right away. If the VPN is connected, reconnect for the new routing to take effect.

IQON Settings VPN Split Tunneling section with the Game Mode dropdown highlighted.

Choosing a server

Game Mode doesn't lock you to one server. Use the "Servers" list the same way you normally would:

"Auto" lets IQON pick the best server for you.
"Game Mode Recommended" appears at the top of the list for some games. These servers are chosen for that game, but you can still pick any other server.
Favorites and the rest of the list work as usual. Select the refresh button next to the gear icon if the ping numbers look out of date.

Lower ping is usually better, but the lowest ping to you isn't always the best route to the game's own servers. That's why some games have a recommended list.

Turning Game Mode off or changing the rules

Open Settings > VPN. Set "Game Mode" to "None", or choose a different Split Tunneling option:

"Off" sends all of your traffic through the VPN.
"Exclude Mode" sends everything through the VPN except the apps and networks you leave out.
"Include Mode" sends only the apps and networks you select through the VPN. Use it when you want more than one app on the VPN.

While a game is selected, Settings > VPN also offers "Advanced mode" for adding applications and network routes yourself. Adding them turns off the Game Mode preset, and the VPN page shows a Split Tunneling badge instead.If the VPN is already connected, reconnect after changing these settings. To learn more about Include mode, Exclude mode, and routes, see VPN Split Tunneling Explained.

Common questions

Is this Windows Game Mode?

No. Windows Game Mode is a Windows performance setting. IQON's VPN Game Mode only decides which apps use the VPN.

Does Game Mode protect all of my traffic?

No. Only the selected game uses the VPN. To send everything through the VPN, set Game Mode to "None" and Split Tunneling to "Off".

My game isn't in the list

Game Mode lists games IQON has found on your PC. If the dialog says "No games found", your game isn't in that list yet. You can still send it through the VPN: open Settings > VPN, choose Include Mode, and add the game's executable under Applications.

I picked a game but nothing changed

If the VPN was already connected, the new routing waits for a reconnect. Disconnect, then connect again. The Game Mode badge appears once the connection is back up.

There's no Game Mode Recommended section

Recommended servers are only available for some games. You can still use Auto, your favorites, or any server in the list.

I don't see Game Mode at all

VPN Game Mode is part of IQON VPN. If your plan doesn't include VPN access, the VPN page shows an upgrade prompt instead of the Game Mode controls.