# How to remotely configure FortiClient IPSec VPN Plug-in for Samsung devices?

Last updated: July 24, 2026

This guide explains how to remotely configure the FortiClient IPSec VPN plug-in for Samsung Android devices through MDM, since managed app configuration isn't available for this vendor. Admins create an Android profile, select VPN, choose IPSec Xauth PSK as the connection type, and enter the server address, credentials, shared secret, and IPSec identifier. Optional settings include Always On VPN and VPN Lockdown (device owner devices only), DNS servers, and forwarding routes, before saving and publishing the profile.

## Description

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) ensures only authorized users can access confidential corporate data, from any public network by transmitting all device-web communication on a secure channel. VPN also boosts productivity as it ensures employees can work from anywhere, without worrying about lack of access to specific resource/data. With remote work being adopted extensively, it has become mandatory for IT admins to configure VPN on mobile devices. Since [managed app configuration](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/managed-app-configuration.html) is not available for some of the VPN vendors, MDM provides a workaround to configure them remotely using the native VPN clients.

## Steps

Follow the steps given below, to configure VPN plug-ins:

- On the MDM console, click on the **Device Mgmt** tab and select **Profiles**.
- Create an **Android** profile and click **Continue**.
- Select **VPN** and fill the requisite parameters as explained below:

### Policy Description

| PARAMETER | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| **Connection type** | Select **IPSec Xauth PSK** as the connection type. |
| **Connection name** | Provide a name for the VPN connection to be configured. |
| **Server name/IP address** | Enter the Fully Qualified Domain Name or IP address of your VPN server. |
| **User Name** | Enter the dynamic variable **%username%** to get the user name mapped to the device. |
| **Password** | Specify the password to be used for user authentication. |
| **Shared Secret** | Specify the pre-shared secret. |
| **IPSec Identifier** | Specify the name of the group of the VPN server to which the user is assigned. |
| **Always on VPN** | Enable this option to maintain a persistent connection between the managed devices and your organizational network, without the need to manually initiate VPN connection every time. Applicable only for [Device Owner](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/help/android_for_work/mdm_android_for_work_introduction.html#Device_Owner) devices. |
| **VPN Lockdown** | When the configured VPN is disconnected/unavailable, enabling this restricts access to other networks, including mobile data. VPN Lockdown can be configured only when Always On VPN is enabled. |
| **DNS Server(s)** | Specify the Fully Qualified Domain Name or IP Address of your internal DNS server to be used once the VPN connection is established. You can specify several DNS servers, separating them with a comma. |
| **Forwarding Route(s)** | Specify the forwarding route if you want to send the traffic through the VPN interface to the destination addresses. If the route is not specified, all network traffic will pass through the VPN connection. |

## Frequently asked questions

### Why do I need to configure FortiClient VPN using the native VPN client instead of managed app configuration?

Managed app configuration isn't available for FortiClient, so MDM provides this workaround using the native Android VPN client (IPSec Xauth PSK) to configure the VPN remotely.

### Can I enable VPN Lockdown without Always On VPN?

No — VPN Lockdown, which restricts access to other networks when the VPN is disconnected, can only be configured once Always On VPN is enabled.

### Is Always On VPN available on all Samsung devices?

Always On VPN is applicable only to devices provisioned as Device Owner.