So there are a few instances when I want communication between devices in my network, and a VPN is a hindrance to that.
On my phone, running the android app, its really easy as I can go into "Split Tunneling" and set an exemption for an app I want (in this case LocalSend).
However on my desktop, its another matter (I'm running the Linux version 2024.4 if it matters, but this problem has been here ever since I started using the service years ago).
First there's no obvious way to set a permanent exemption for an app (as I can in android). If you go into "Split Tunneling", I am only given the prompt to launch the app...which does get cumbersome. To navigate into Mullvad's settings, find Split Tunneling, and launch the app from there.
Second and more annoyingly, the split tunneling doesn't work in Desktop. My devices can't see each other unless if I disconnect from the VPN.
There has to be a better way to do this; and frustratingly on android there is.