Google Play Store does not work with Split Tunnel VPN on a Pixel Phone with OpenVPN Connect, must whitelist the app under OpenVPN for Android about pi-hole-pivpn-on-google-compute-engine-free-tier-with-full-tunnel-and-split-tunnel-openvpn-configs

[atupeck]

Although this isn't a fix, use OpenVPN for Android instead as the VPN app and you can whitelist anything Google in the app itself.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.blinkt.openvpn

[rmartensen]

try to execute the command below:
pihole -w android.clients.google.com

You also might like to whitlist some other domains listed on this site: https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/commonly-whitelisted-domains/212

[rajannpatel]

The documentation now clearly reflects the steps to obtain OpenVPN for Android, and how to configure it to whitelist the problematic apps. If we can identify a solution that does not entail whitelisting apps, it would be preferable.

[rajannpatel]

This issue likely requires code changes in OpenVPN Connect, and falls outside the bounds of configurable modifications that could resolve this issue.

[mwoolweaver]

The funny part about this issue is it doesn't happen when I'm connected to my home network which uses the same split tunnel for dns.