Connect On Demand hangs causing no data

[bradenglund]

Longtime user, but I recently switched phones, causing me to re-download the app (so now on the new version).

Using iPhone XS - 12.3.1 - latest version of DNSCloak in app store.

So i have all default settings, plus blacklist txt file taken from pre-generated dnscrypt link. Cloudflare and Cloudflare-ipv6 is set as the selected DNS provider(s). iOS settings app shows profile installed, and connected with appropriate switches enabled. Throughout normal usage, safari, various apps, the DNSCloak vpn connection will drop to a "disconnected" state, thereby preventing any and all connections. Apps and websites are not able to load.

The time frame for self-correction of this issue can range from several seconds- indefinitely. If I open the settings app, it will generally connect to the DNSCloak vpn after approximately 1 second, and I can resume normal browsing habits. This happens across all apps, and I have not been able to detect any pattern for the issue to occur. I have notice that the appstore app pretty reliably [potentially cause?] hangs when opening and DNSCloak is connected.

This problem is also especially noticeable (but again not limited to) when waking the phone from sleep. I often have to open the settings app to connect, before switching back to the previous app.

Other people are having this issue as well. As seen here https://www.reddit.com/r/dnscrypt/comments/bnwkm8/dnscloak_randomly_disables_on_ios/

Currently I have switched to Disconnect's Privacy Pro app which has the same purpose, but without the customizable blacklist and dns resolver list.

[bradenglund]

After more research into this issue, it appears to be an issue with select DNS providers. I was using cloudflare (both ipv4 and ipv6), and switched to (quad9).

Also, when comparing this to the Disconnect app, DNSCloak is much quicker to disconnect from the server, and make use of the always on feature, where Privacy Pro chooses to have a persistent connection (connection time has exceeded 24 hours) even when using the "on-demand" feature.