# Cisco Secure Client — user reviews

> 478 indexed App Store user reviews of Cisco Secure Client by Cisco, rated 3.90/5 from 2,089 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cisco-secure-client/id1135064690/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cisco-secure-client/id1135064690.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,221 · 4★ 255 · 3★ 137 · 2★ 122 · 1★ 354

## What do users think of Cisco Secure Client?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Fast connection
- 🔒 Secure VPN
- 👍 Works great on MacOS
- 👍 Reliable service

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes after update
- 🐛 Connection issues after update
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 👎 Disconnects when phone is locked
- 👎 Requires password entry every time

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Cannot connect after update
- App crashes when selecting server
- Cannot import certificates
- Incompatible with iOS 12/13/14
- Disconnects frequently

**Most requested features**

- Save password option
- Dark mode
- Face ID/Touch ID support
- Ability to change server/port

## Newest reviews (15 of 478)

### 3/5 — password save?

*2026-06-26*

it would be nice if could’ve saved password in keychain and i only had enter auth code

### 4/5 — Working well with my macOS 26.4 Beta 2

*2026-02-26, version 5.1.11423*

No issues so far.  I wish it were better integrated into the OS so that I didn’t have other launch the app specially, and then click the connect toggle each time I want to connect.

### 4/5 — Save passport

*2026-01-30, version 5.1.11423*

The android version is capable of saving the passport. Please add it.

### 2/5 — Problems with multiple configurations

*2026-01-18*

When I add new configuration I get connection problem to new vpn server. New vpn server get dada from old other configuration.  I saw this in LOGs. When I remove old config everything worked out.

### 2/5 — Don’t use on macOS

*2026-01-09, version 5.1.11423*

Even though it’s available in the Mac App Store, this app causes all kinds of problems if it’s used outside of iPadOS. Beware.

### 3/5 — App disconnecting

*2026-01-06, version 5.1.11423*

Hi
App support doesn’t respond to any queries, please fix app keeps on disconnecting without me allowing it to disconnect

### 2/5 — Bugs in ios26

*2025-12-22, version 5.1.11423*

In iOS26, not able to reconnect to Server when waking up the phone. It worked perfectly in iOS 18.

### 3/5 — Update app icon

*2025-12-13*

Update app icon with liquid glass support!

### 2/5 — Auto disconnect when phone locked!!

*2025-11-04, version 5.1.11347*

In latest update, app automatically disconnected when i lock my phone lock screen and too many time to reconnect!!!! 
Please solve
Thnx

### 1/5 — Too tiring app

*2025-10-21, version 5.1.11347*

This VPN is actually a good app — especially considering that it works in Iran, where internet filtering is extremely strict. Even though the accounts are paid, the connection works and the speed is decent.

However, every single time you want to connect, you have to manually enter a new username and password. I understand this might be for extra security, but for regular users who just want to bypass unfair restrictions and quickly check Instagram or other social media, it’s very frustrating to repeat this process 10 times a day.

It would be much better if the app allowed users to save their account information once per login, and then just connect/disconnect with one tap. For those who prefer entering credentials manually each time, the app could simply include a setting to enable that.

Small improvements like this can make the user experience much smoother. I really don’t understand why such simple things are ignored — it’s exactly these details that cause your app’s low rating.

Honestly, if I wasn’t forced to, I wouldn’t keep using such a tiring app

### 1/5 — Все плохо

*2025-10-20, version 5.1.11347*

Включение каждый раз через пароль. В последнее время почему то стал самостоятельно отключать мне vpn. Возможно из за iOS 26

### 4/5 — Dark icon

*2025-10-10*

Please add dark icon for iOS 18 and higher.

### 3/5 — Bug

*2025-10-09, version 5.1.11347*

In ios 26,when i lock my phone after a few minutes when I unlock it,my connection to server is lost

### 1/5 — Updates Randomly

*2025-10-08, version 5.1.11347*

This app will randomly update in the middle of the work day and made me miss my job offer meeting.

### 1/5 — ناراضی

*2025-10-06, version 5.1.11347*

خود به خود دیسکانکت میشه، اصلا آپدیت جدید ریدین👎 کاش اصلا آپدیت نمیکردم👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Can’t see the “accept” button anymore

*2026-08-13, version 5.1.16.264*

I am not able to connect.   It thinks the server is untrusted and the buttons to continue to connect is not there any more.  Your QA people are horrible!!! Who does the QA?  Infants?

### 1/5 — Disconnect iphone when sleep

*2026-07-03, version 5.1.16.264*

Its crazy bug when iphone sleep and disconnect cisco...please help how to solve this problem

### 1/5 — How is this so **it?

*2026-05-30, version 5.1.16.264*

Vibe coded updates recently for f sure. F off.

### 1/5 — 日志有问题

*2026-04-29, version 5.1.11423*

开启日志就不能关闭了，都用不了，提示当前正在处理其他请求

### 1/5 — Все пропало

*2026-04-07*

С обновлением удалились все настроенные подключения. Действительно, зачем их оставлять? Пользователю же совершенно нечем заняться, чтобы каждый раз забивать параметры. Это так стимулирует пальцы.

### 1/5 — broken for those with multiple microsoft accounts

*2026-04-05, version 5.1.11423*

broken for those with multiple school/work accounts. app shares microsoft sso cookies across all vpn profiles. attempting switching accounts throws a dead-end aadsts50020 error because there is no sign-out button. having to clear safari data entirely in ios settings every single time you swap networks is incredibly frustrating and ridiculous. cisco could solve this by using ephemeral browser sessions to keep the logins separate, which ios supports. why they haven’t is a mystery.

### 1/5 — Persistent Socket Filter Severely Degrades macOS Network Performance

*2026-02-25, version 5.1.11423*

Cisco Secure Client (macOS) – Installs a Persistent System-Level Socket Filter That Degrades VPN Throughput and Is Extremely Difficult to Remove

Cisco Secure Client on macOS installs a system-level Network Extension (com.cisco.anyconnect.macos.acsockext) that intercepts all socket traffic — including traffic unrelated to Cisco VPN sessions.

In my case, this extension caused a ~155× reduction in sustained UDP throughput over a WireGuard-based tunnel (Tailscale):
	•	Linux client → remote server: ~1 Gbps
	•	macOS client (same LAN, same router, same public IP) → remote server: ~6 Mbps

The only material difference was the presence of the Cisco socket filter extension on macOS.

Even when not connected to a Cisco VPN, the socket filter remains active and continues intercepting traffic. Removing the application bundle does not remove the extension. The official uninstaller was absent. The extension persisted after reboot.

Removing it required:
	1.	Booting into macOS Recovery
	2.	Disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP)
	3.	Manually uninstalling the system extension
	4.	Deleting /Library/SystemExtensions bundles
	5.	Rebooting
	6.	Re-enabling SIP

This is far beyond what a reasonable user should have to do to remove a VPN client.

Key issues:
	•	Installs a persistent system-level socket filter
	•	Remains active even when VPN is disconnected
	•	Dramatically degrades high-throughput encrypted tunnels
	•	No transparent performance reporting
	•	No clear uninstall path
	•	Requires SIP disable + Recovery Mode to fully remove in some cases

This behavior is indistinguishable from aggressive endpoint security middleware. Software that operates at this layer should be transparent, performant, and easy to uninstall.

Instead, it silently degraded unrelated networking workloads and required invasive system-level steps to remove.

For environments that rely on high-throughput encrypted tunnels (WireGuard, Tailscale, etc.), this client is disruptive.

Not recommended unless absolutely required by corporate policy.

⸻

If you want, I can also help you write a shorter version tailored for:
	•	App Store-style review
	•	Enterprise admin warning
	•	Reddit / Hacker News technical PSA
	•	Internal university IT escalation

Let me know which tone you want.

### 1/5 — 本当にダメ

*2026-02-04*

中国で使っているですが、朝起きたらVPNが切れてて最悪でした。絶対に入れないで下さい

### 1/5 — Невозможно добавить профиль

*2025-12-09*

Мусор

### 1/5 — Was soll dieser Quatsch, der verdeckt wie viel vom Passwort man schon eingegeben hat?

*2025-10-25*

Es war vorher ein völlig gangbares Programm, aber neuerdings verdeckt ein Balken die Zeile mit dem Passwort, sobald man einmal auf die Tastatur getippt hat. Der Balken lädt allerdings sehr verzögert und man kann währenddessen vermutlich (man sieht ja nicht mehr wie viele Zeichen man schon eingetippt hat) nichts eingeben. Ich bin mir auch nicht sicher, ob die erste Eingabe überhaupt gültig ist, denn man erhält ja kein Feedback. Ich habe nun x Mal versucht mich anzumelden, aber es war mir nicht möglich. Stattdessen muss ich jetzt eine undefinierte Zeit warten, bis ich es erneut versuchen darf und vor demselben Problem stehe. Und wofür? Nur damit jemand, der mir über die Schulter schauen könnte, nicht sehen kann wie lang mein Passwort ist? Diese hypothetische Person könnte auch einfach auf meine Tastatur schauen. Es ist eine dämliche Lösung für ein nicht vorhandenes Problem. Warum gibt es nicht einfach Sternchen, wie über all sonst auch? Ich hoffe die Entwickler besinnen sich eines besseren.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Nice

*2026-07-31, version 5.1.16.264*

Nice

### 5/5 — Cisco

*2026-06-11*

Garante praticidade no celular.

### 5/5 — working perfectly on macOS

*2026-01-16, version 5.1.11423*

Working smooth, no bug, fast on macOS

### 5/5 — 업뎃을 이상하게 했네..

*2025-11-06*

업뎃후 연결 안 끊으면 위치 설정 못 바꾸게 되고, 폰 잠깐이라도 잠금 됐다가 풀리면 재연결 하느라 개느려짐요.. 롤백 안되나요?

### 5/5 — Disconnection after locking screen

*2025-10-07, version 5.1.11347*

In the latest version, after the iPhone or iPad is locked, it disconnects completely, while this was not the case in previous versions.

### 5/5 — Dissconnect vpn when my iphone locked in last version

*2025-09-27, version 5.1.11347*

Dissconnect vpn when my iphone locked in last version,
Pls fix it

### 5/5 — MacBook M1 Pro

*2025-09-08*

Works great, unlike the desktop app which has DNS resolving errors.

### 5/5 — Could you please fix it? Thank you 🙏

*2025-06-29*

After the latest update, the app closes when selecting a connection. It’s impossible to connect. Please fix this issue 🙏

### 5/5 — Report a problem

*2025-06-27, version 5.1.10096*

After updating the program, the program closes when selecting the server. Please fix the problem.

### 5/5 — 素晴らしい

*2025-05-19*

このアプリは素晴らしい
レビューは星5だ
ははもこのアプリを絶賛してまごにも是非つかって欲しいとみみにタコができるほど聞いた

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*