Universal SwizzVPN: Streaming, YouTube Adblocker, AppleTV, Lifetime

[BigMcGuire]

Not sure how expensive it would be or if it is even possible - a server in Peru would be awesome. Netflix has a lot more movies/shows there than here in the USA.

Not a must and will not be sad if it can't happen. Very happy with the application!

 

[pvalerio]

UK

I just checked on my UK server, and Netflix works there with UK-only shows (like It's always sunny in philadelphia). Do you use any other streaming sites that don't work on the UK server?

@BigMcGuire: Will look into it.

 

[Whistler Mac]

I just checked on my UK server, and Netflix works there with UK-only shows (like It's always sunny in philadelphia). Do you use any other streaming sites that don't work on the UK server?

@BigMcGuire: Will look into it.

I'll explore later, your version with streaming improvements just downloaded. For UK, BBC iPlayer and ITV. If you want one in Australia to test with, https://iview.abc.net.au/

 

[pvalerio]

I'll explore later, your version with streaming improvements just downloaded. For UK, BBC iPlayer and ITV. If you want one in Australia to test with, https://iview.abc.net.au/

Works

 

[pvalerio]

there's a bug in the current version 3.3.4 regarding downloading updated serverlist, which may lead to a crash upon app start. i removed the serverlist from my webserver. if you encounter the crash, just reinstall the app. i will fix it in the next version.

 

[pacorob]

Good news: Found a way to unblock (hopefully) all streaming sites. I tested it with Netflix and it works.

What are the most interesting countries with content? US for sure, what else?

That is really great news I will try it out tonight for some (public) broadcasters again. I especially VRT Max and ITV will work.

Belgium: VRT Max, UK: BBC iPlayer, ITV app, Austria: ORF, Germany: 3Sat, ARTE, ARD, ZDF, Sweden: SVT, Norway:
NRK, Finland: YLE, Denmark: DR, Australia: SBS, ABC, Channel 9

 

[pvalerio]

That is really great news I will try it out tonight for some (public) broadcasters again. I especially VRT Max and ITV will work.

Belgium: VRT Max, UK: BBC iPlayer, ITV app, Austria: ORF, Germany: 3Sat, ARTE, ARD, ZDF, Sweden: SVT, Norway:
NRK, Finland: YLE, Denmark: DR, Australia: SBS, ABC, Channel 9

Thanks for this list! Will try them.

 

[pvalerio]

A user reported that Siri is not working. Turns out this is due to DNS-over-TLS, which makes some Apple services stop. Seems this bugs exists since 2 years and still not fixed by Apple: https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/677812 Hope I can make some exclusions for that.

BTW, Version 3.3.6 is online

EDIT: Unfortunately there's no way to get Siri with DNS-over-TLS working. I removed the option as it was, renamed some stuff, and made the app "less Pro" that way. But if one wants to use the option, you can still enable it by a hidden function: enable adblocker, then press 2 seconds on the green bin icon, till it turns red. That way it will still use DNS-over-TLS, but break Siri. Same with kill switch: If you want to have a truly kill switch (which enables this option: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/networkextension/nevpnprotocol/3131931-includeallnetworks), enable it, press 2 seconds on the green lock, till it turns red. This will ensure that no traffic will leak the vpn tunnel, but it may introduce problems with losing internet connectivity when updating or deleting the app, or when waking up from standby (which then needs a reboot).

Summary: For the normal user everything is fine as it is (with Siri working again in the next version 3.3.8). For the Pro users they will find a way to this post and get the information they need.

 

[pvalerio]

Version 3.3.8 is online now, with Siri working again.

I also again enabled inactivity timeout on the servers. Over night, VPN will disconnect. If you want to stay always connected, enable the "always stay connected" (aka kill switch) setting

 

[pvalerio]

Upcoming feature on Mac:

 

[Apple_Robert]

Upcoming feature on Mac:

The app already looks that way for me. What upcoming feature are you highlighting with that picture?

 

[pvalerio]

The app already looks that way for me. What upcoming feature are you highlighting with that picture?

Open through Status Menu Bar icon, as requested from different users.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Open through Status Menu Bar icon, as requested from different users.

I completely missed that aspect. Thank you so much for the prompt reply and pointing it out. I must be in the minority as I don't mind having it in the dock.

I like all the hard work you have put into your app. You have come a long way.

 

[pacorob]

Thanks for this list! Will try them.

I've noticed that unfortunately the majority of my favorite video streaming services (VRT Max, ITV, SVT) still don't work with your VPN. I hope in the future this will be possible.

 

[pvalerio]

I've noticed that unfortunately the majority of my favorite video streaming services (VRT Max, ITV, SVT) still don't work with your VPN. I hope in the future this will be possible.

Maybe I should have been clearer, this technique works only for the US streaming server as of now. Unfortunately I have to grow to support this on other servers/countries, so please share and tell others about the app!

Version 3.4.2 is on the way with UI improvements and the Status Menu Bar.

 

[pacorob]

Maybe I should have been clearer, this technique works only for the US streaming server as of now. Unfortunately I have to grow to support this on other servers/countries, so please share and tell others about the app!

Version 3.4.2 is on the way with UI improvements and the Status Menu Bar.

Ah that is good to know hope to see support rolled out to other servers (e.g. UK, Belgium, Sweden). I will give Crackle then another try with the US server since that changed a while back that I could no longer get access while this used to work without VPN.

 

[pvalerio]

Upcoming next:
- Help / FAQ section
- Determining best / nearest server based on latency
- Manually refreshable server list
- Minor things I already forgot

EDIT: It's online now (version 3.4.6)

 

[user1960]

Did you test your app in countries like UAE, Qatar, or Kuwait? I hear that OpenVPN doesn’t work in some regions.

 

[pvalerio]

Did you test your app in countries like UAE, Qatar, or Kuwait? I hear that OpenVPN doesn’t work in some regions.

Yes, even in China. I regularly see people connected from there (Iran, Russia, UAE, China). I'll also plan to further invest in this.

 

[user1960]

It's possible that the VPN connects successfully in certain regions, but users may still face difficulties in accessing websites. As someone who has traveled to the UAE and other countries mentioned, I've experienced limitations in website accessibility. Additionally, it's important to note that the app store restrictions in China prevent the release of VPN applications in that region. It's crucial to stay informed about the local regulations and challenges associated with VPN usage in different countries.

 

[pvalerio]

It's possible that the VPN connects successfully in certain regions, but users may still face difficulties in accessing websites. As someone who has traveled to the UAE and other countries mentioned, I've experienced limitations in website accessibility. Additionally, it's important to note that the app store restrictions in China prevent the release of VPN applications in that region. It's crucial to stay informed about the local regulations and challenges associated with VPN usage in different countries.

Yes that's true. Especially in China though I had let my VPN test and it worked fine. They usually get a US App Store account and download it from there. Also since the connection time is mostly several hours, it seems to work good.

 

[pvalerio]

My ChatGPT app SwizzAI is now ready for the masses, I just started a thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/swizzai-chatgpt-app-from-switzerland.2390012/

 

[bogdanw]

Running in Switzerland on my own managed servers, protected by strong Swiss privacy laws.

That ship has long sailed.
Like Crypto AG, you could be owned by the CIA, or other three letter organization, and there is no way to prove you are not.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypto_AG

 

[Orka]

Yes, even in China. I regularly see people connected from there (Iran, Russia, UAE, China). I'll also plan to further invest in this.

They block any VPN service here in Russia when it gets popular. Your app is new, isn't known yet. I'd would gladly pay for lifetime service but can you guarantee it will work over time? This is what happened to surfshark, proton and some others, after people bought subscription it stopped working on most networks...

 

[pvalerio]

That ship has long sailed.
Like Crypto AG, you could be owned by the CIA, or other three letter organization, and there is no way to prove you are not.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypto_AG

Well then you can absolutely trust no one, and for sure not the big VPN ones which are all owned by Kape.

They block any VPN service here in Russia when it gets popular. Your app is new, isn't known yet. I'd would gladly pay for lifetime service but can you guarantee it will work over time? This is what happened to surfshark, proton and some others, after people bought subscription it stopped working on most networks...

I can not, I can only do what‘s in my possibilities. If they block the IP addresses of my servers then I can‘t do much about it.