VPN with port forwarding

Mantel includes port forwarding at no extra cost: one port per device, TCP and UDP, switched on in the app or the dashboard. It's part of €5 a month, with no email and no subscription.

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What it does

Every device in the VPN shares the public address of its location's server, so other computers can't open a connection to it. Downloads work, but seeding torrents, hosting a game or reaching your own server from outside doesn't. Port forwarding opens one port on the server, and incoming connections on it go to exactly your device.

What you can use it for

  • Torrents: other peers can connect to you, so you upload and seed properly
  • Game servers such as Minecraft, voice servers and home servers
  • Peer-to-peer apps that need incoming connections
  • Remote access to services on your own computer

How to switch it on

In the Mantel app (Windows and Android)

  1. 1Connect to a location once.
  2. 2Go to Settings → Connection and turn on Port forwarding.
  3. 3Copy the port the app shows, for example Port 41234 on Amsterdam.
  4. 4Enter it in your program as the incoming (listening) port.

In the dashboard (any device, including the WireGuard app)

  1. 1Log in and open Devices.
  2. 2Switch on Port forwarding for the device.
  3. 3Copy the port shown there, for example Port 41234 on Amsterdam.

Setting up a torrent client

Enter the port as the incoming (listening) port, turn off UPnP and NAT-PMP, and bind the client to the VPN interface (in qBittorrent: Advanced → Network interface). That way torrent traffic never bypasses Mantel.

The details

  • TCP and UDP on the same port. On locations with IPv6, the port works over IPv6 as well.
  • One random port per device. You can't pick the number, which keeps well-known ports closed.
  • Off by default. While it's on, the port stays the same, even when the server restarts.
  • Switching location releases the port. Switch it on again at the new location to get a new one.
  • Not available in Tor mode, so no connection can bypass Tor.
  • From the same device you can't reach your own port through the server address. Test it from outside.
  • We only store which port belongs to which device, and only while it's on: no times, no counters, no logs.

Apps and locations

Port forwarding works in the Mantel apps for Windows and Android and, through the dashboard, for every device that uses the official WireGuard app. It's offered at every location whose server supports it. If a location doesn't offer it yet, the app and the dashboard tell you.

Use it carefully

An open port makes the device reachable from the internet. Keep it on only while you need it, and only for programs you trust.

Questions about port forwarding

Does port forwarding cost extra?

No. It's part of €5 a month, like every location and up to 8 devices.

Can I choose my own port number?

No. The server picks a random free port between 20000 and 59999. That keeps ports used by the server and well-known services closed.

Does it work with the official WireGuard app?

Yes. Add the device in the dashboard and switch on port forwarding for it there.

Why did my port change?

A port belongs to one device at one location. When you switch location, the apps create a new device, the old port is released, and you open a new one.

Can I forward more than one port?

One port per device. Each device of your account can have its own port.