What is Direct Routing?
Direct Routing (also known as Split Tunneling) is a feature that allows you to choose which traffic goes through the encrypted tunnel and which traffic uses your regular internet connection directly.
What makes RAGE's Direct Routing unique: Unlike most apps that only offer app-based Direct Routing, RAGE provides domain-based routing. This means you can specify exact domains (like bank.com) to route directly, while all other traffic from the same browser or app remains protected through the tunnel.
Why Use Direct Routing?
Access Location-Restricted Services
Some services only work from specific countries or IP ranges:
- Government portals — Tax services and public services may require local IP
- Banking apps — Some banks flag foreign IP addresses as suspicious
- Streaming services — Local content that requires domestic IP verification
Improve Performance
Some traffic doesn't need protection and runs faster without the tunnel (unless these services are blocked in your region):
- Video calls — Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet benefit from Direct Routing for lower latency
- Gaming — Online games where every millisecond matters
- Large downloads — Updates, backups, or file syncing that don't contain sensitive data
Compatibility
Some applications don't work well through the tunnel:
- Local network devices — Printers, smart home devices, network shares
- Captive portals — Hotel/airport Wi-Fi login pages
- Corporate apps — Some work applications that detect proxies and block access
How Direct Routing Works
RAGE maintains two routing tables simultaneously:
- Tunnel route — Default path for all traffic, encrypted through RAGE server
- Direct route — Alternative path for specified domains, using your regular ISP connection
When you access a website:
- RAGE checks if the domain is in your Direct Routing list
- If matched, traffic goes directly to the destination
- If not matched, traffic is encrypted and sent through the RAGE tunnel
Domain-level precision: Adding bank.com to Direct Routing only affects that domain. Other sites you visit in the same browser session remain protected through the tunnel.
Configuring Direct Routing
Adding Domains
- Open RAGE and go to Settings
- Tap Direct Routing
- Tap Add Domain
- Enter the domain (e.g.,
bank.com) and tap Add
Wildcard Support
Use wildcards to match multiple subdomains:
*.google.com— Matches all Google subdomains*.example.com— Matches all subdomains of a domain
Direct Routing vs. Turning Off RAGE
Why use Direct Routing instead of just disconnecting from RAGE?
| Aspect | Direct Routing | RAGE Off |
|---|---|---|
| Other traffic | Remains protected | All exposed |
| Convenience | Automatic per-domain | Manual toggle |
| Security risk | Minimal (specific domains) | High (all traffic) |
| Kill Switch | Still protects other traffic | Not applicable |
Security Considerations
Important: Traffic to domains in your Direct Routing list is NOT encrypted by RAGE and is visible to your ISP. Only add domains that genuinely require direct access.
Best practices:
- Only add domains you trust and that require local IP
- Avoid adding domains where you'll enter sensitive data (unless required)
- Periodically review your Direct Routing list and remove unused entries
- Use specific domains rather than broad wildcards when possible