diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index dabc4e9e03..f0d844e9c1 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -313,12 +313,15 @@ linux-release-ci: linux pubget gen
 	patchelf --set-rpath '$$ORIGIN/lib' build/linux/x64/release/bundle/lantern || true
 
 	@echo "Packaging deb, rpm, and archlinux with nfpm..."
-	VERSION=$(APP_VERSION) LANTERND_SRC=$(LINUX_SERVICE_DST)/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) SYSTEMD_UNIT_SRC=$(LINUX_SYSTEMD_UNIT_DST) \
+	VERSION=$(APP_VERSION) SYSTEMD_UNIT_SRC=$(LINUX_SYSTEMD_UNIT_DST) \
+	LANTERND_SRC=$(LINUX_SERVICE_DST)/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) LANTERND_DST=/usr/sbin/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) \
 			  nfpm package -f $(LINUX_PKG_ROOT)/nfpm.yaml -p deb -t $(LINUX_INSTALLER_DEB)
-	VERSION=$(APP_VERSION) LANTERND_SRC=$(LINUX_SERVICE_DST)/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) SYSTEMD_UNIT_SRC=$(LINUX_SYSTEMD_UNIT_DST) \
+	VERSION=$(APP_VERSION) SYSTEMD_UNIT_SRC=$(LINUX_SYSTEMD_UNIT_DST) \
+	LANTERND_SRC=$(LINUX_SERVICE_DST)/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) LANTERND_DST=/usr/sbin/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) \
 			  nfpm package -f $(LINUX_PKG_ROOT)/nfpm.yaml -p rpm -t $(LINUX_INSTALLER_RPM)
-	VERSION=$(APP_VERSION) LANTERND_SRC=$(LINUX_SERVICE_DST)/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) SYSTEMD_UNIT_SRC=$(LINUX_SYSTEMD_UNIT_DST) \
-					nfpm package -f $(LINUX_PKG_ROOT)/nfpm.yaml -p archlinux -t $(LINUX_INSTALLER_ARCH)
+	VERSION=$(APP_VERSION) SYSTEMD_UNIT_SRC=$(LINUX_SYSTEMD_UNIT_DST) \
+	LANTERND_SRC=$(LINUX_SERVICE_DST)/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) LANTERND_DST=/usr/bin/$(LINUX_SERVICE_NAME) \
+			nfpm package -f $(LINUX_PKG_ROOT)/nfpm.yaml -p archlinux -t $(LINUX_INSTALLER_ARCH)
 
 .PHONY: verify-linux-package
 verify-linux-package:
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index d1f30b7d4e..c1524941b8 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/Microsoft/go-winio v0.6.2
 	github.com/alecthomas/assert/v2 v2.3.0
 	github.com/getlantern/lantern-server-provisioner v0.0.0-20251031121934-8ea031fccfa9
-	github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260226125355-6a8df831d557
+	github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260227010202-aaebc26205fc
 	github.com/sagernet/sing-box v1.12.22
 	golang.org/x/mobile v0.0.0-20250711185624-d5bb5ecc55c0
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.40.0
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/getlantern/algeneva v0.0.0-20250307163401-1824e7b54f52 // indirect
 	github.com/getlantern/amp v0.0.0-20260113204224-600f8e8dfe5f // indirect
 	github.com/getlantern/appdir v0.0.0-20250324200952-507a0625eb01 // indirect
-	github.com/getlantern/common v1.2.1-0.20260121160752-d8ee5791108f // indirect
+	github.com/getlantern/common v1.2.1-0.20260224184656-5aefb9c21c85 // indirect
 	github.com/getlantern/dnstt v0.0.0-20260112160750-05100563bd0d // indirect
 	github.com/getlantern/fronted v0.0.0-20260225205111-41c9e534027a // indirect
 	github.com/getlantern/golog v0.0.0-20230503153817-8e72de7e0a65 // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 4a52d00aa8..136c10293b 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -193,8 +193,8 @@ github.com/getlantern/amp v0.0.0-20260113204224-600f8e8dfe5f h1:NLGftemDrbGf7Wce
 github.com/getlantern/amp v0.0.0-20260113204224-600f8e8dfe5f/go.mod h1:qnMv9szb8JK3kA9W4N2FlYUMj1GkA0x7QEUEPD7tk4o=
 github.com/getlantern/appdir v0.0.0-20250324200952-507a0625eb01 h1:Mmeh4/DA1OKN9tVWRAvTL5efFx4c7v9/55hoK17NclA=
 github.com/getlantern/appdir v0.0.0-20250324200952-507a0625eb01/go.mod h1:3vR6+jQdWfWojZ77w+htCqEF5MO/Y2twJOpAvFuM9po=
-github.com/getlantern/common v1.2.1-0.20260121160752-d8ee5791108f h1:EqRKCaOBuvVkFsIjeWUYluE4s4TZtVQSClfIWFqcSks=
-github.com/getlantern/common v1.2.1-0.20260121160752-d8ee5791108f/go.mod h1:eSSuV4bMPgQJnczBw+KWWqWNo1itzmVxC++qUBPRTt0=
+github.com/getlantern/common v1.2.1-0.20260224184656-5aefb9c21c85 h1:jj2Qv6drsceI4v3krNHXSn805QDRqy7w4XMqW359Z18=
+github.com/getlantern/common v1.2.1-0.20260224184656-5aefb9c21c85/go.mod h1:eSSuV4bMPgQJnczBw+KWWqWNo1itzmVxC++qUBPRTt0=
 github.com/getlantern/context v0.0.0-20190109183933-c447772a6520/go.mod h1:L+mq6/vvYHKjCX2oez0CgEAJmbq1fbb/oNJIWQkBybY=
 github.com/getlantern/context v0.0.0-20220418194847-3d5e7a086201 h1:oEZYEpZo28Wdx+5FZo4aU7JFXu0WG/4wJWese5reQSA=
 github.com/getlantern/context v0.0.0-20220418194847-3d5e7a086201/go.mod h1:Y9WZUHEb+mpra02CbQ/QczLUe6f0Dezxaw5DCJlJQGo=
@@ -205,8 +205,6 @@ github.com/getlantern/errors v1.0.4 h1:i2iR1M9GKj4WuingpNqJ+XQEw6i6dnAgKAmLj6ZB3
 github.com/getlantern/errors v1.0.4/go.mod h1:/Foq8jtSDGP8GOXzAjeslsC4Ar/3kB+UiQH+WyV4pzY=
 github.com/getlantern/fdcount v0.0.0-20210503151800-5decd65b3731 h1:v+vJ3LgV4nW4xRPZo+xkADDflXLpRbG+Lv69XKWFjTQ=
 github.com/getlantern/fdcount v0.0.0-20210503151800-5decd65b3731/go.mod h1:XZwE+iIlAgr64OFbXKFNCllBwV4wEipPx8Hlo2gZdbM=
-github.com/getlantern/fronted v0.0.0-20260219001615-7eabaa834efe h1:Q4fwCDDqgw21GGitBPXol68wbAJGBNBolNsa8MS5wXk=
-github.com/getlantern/fronted v0.0.0-20260219001615-7eabaa834efe/go.mod h1:1a+iv1xzGxZWj/vCHzr8Z3dF9H1sNTuMSPHUqRsgbl0=
 github.com/getlantern/fronted v0.0.0-20260225205111-41c9e534027a h1:mZVn1e2boHzKk4JgKwQ4Eqhn+omowFWzPduxGHCmYRs=
 github.com/getlantern/fronted v0.0.0-20260225205111-41c9e534027a/go.mod h1:1a+iv1xzGxZWj/vCHzr8Z3dF9H1sNTuMSPHUqRsgbl0=
 github.com/getlantern/golog v0.0.0-20210606115803-bce9f9fe5a5f/go.mod h1:ZyIjgH/1wTCl+B+7yH1DqrWp6MPJqESmwmEQ89ZfhvA=
@@ -244,10 +242,8 @@ github.com/getlantern/osversion v0.0.0-20240418205916-2e84a4a4e175 h1:JWH5BB2o0e
 github.com/getlantern/osversion v0.0.0-20240418205916-2e84a4a4e175/go.mod h1:h3S9LBmmzN/xM+lwYZHE4abzTtCTtidKtG+nxZcCZX0=
 github.com/getlantern/pluriconfig v0.0.0-20251126214241-8cc8bc561535 h1:rtDmW8YLAuT8r51ApR5z0d8/qjhHu3TW+divQ2C98Ac=
 github.com/getlantern/pluriconfig v0.0.0-20251126214241-8cc8bc561535/go.mod h1:WKJEdjMOD4IuTRYwjQHjT4bmqDl5J82RShMLxPAvi0Q=
-github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260221215045-6049f134d863 h1:nlx+23+ieMbmXA12ZY3IMuedCsAKgp/s2Fauf8M10mk=
-github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260221215045-6049f134d863/go.mod h1:JwM46TRAnU3PCmdhj7gar3bpHH5SQTufj7d2LSdi2tk=
-github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260226125355-6a8df831d557 h1:Av8eCs4KU9PFdiUkn+jwd6Hb1HLX5juDIT9fzPuanWk=
-github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260226125355-6a8df831d557/go.mod h1:KrVcQYh39cZCsKPX6Bp+m76+bRjS0VX11q4XHZeBPP4=
+github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260227010202-aaebc26205fc h1:HkDYo2wT0zIggUZIsXYaxc++4eprJOARRPe5aEILDOw=
+github.com/getlantern/radiance v0.0.0-20260227010202-aaebc26205fc/go.mod h1:nkeBEjB0/Kfh02W8LAHnLhzSHfu0Aj2ID83EZBe2Jiw=
 github.com/getlantern/samizdat v0.0.2 h1:PkMu6jsfUz7DLZUH2xh548XfzgPASmq5CajZyUKj/9Y=
 github.com/getlantern/samizdat v0.0.2/go.mod h1:uEeykQSW2/6rTjfPlj3MTTo59poSHXfAHTGgzYDkbr0=
 github.com/getlantern/sing v0.7.18-lantern h1:QKGgIUA3LwmKYP/7JlQTRkxj9jnP4cX2Q/B+nd8XEjo=
diff --git a/lantern-core/core.go b/lantern-core/core.go
index dea4f2de1e..442c53dfe5 100644
--- a/lantern-core/core.go
+++ b/lantern-core/core.go
@@ -3,12 +3,10 @@ package lanterncore
 import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"runtime"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
@@ -24,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/getlantern/radiance/issue"
 	"github.com/getlantern/radiance/servers"
 	"github.com/getlantern/radiance/vpn"
-	"github.com/getlantern/radiance/vpn/ipc"
 
 	"github.com/getlantern/lantern/lantern-core/apps"
 	privateserver "github.com/getlantern/lantern/lantern-core/private-server"
@@ -199,19 +196,6 @@ func (lc *LanternCore) initialize(opts *utils.Opts, eventEmitter utils.FlutterEv
 		return fmt.Errorf("unable to create split tunnel handler: %v", sthErr)
 	}
 
-	if runtime.GOOS == "linux" {
-		slog.Debug("Setting IPC settings path for Linux", "path", settings.GetString(settings.DataPathKey))
-		if err := ipc.SetSettingsPath(context.Background(), settings.GetString(settings.DataPathKey)); err != nil {
-			// lanternd may not be ready yet during app startup; defer this until daemon is reachable.
-			if errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrIPCNotRunning) || errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrServiceIsNotReady) {
-				slog.Warn("Skipping IPC settings path update because lanternd is not ready", "error", err)
-			} else {
-				slog.Error("Failed to set IPC settings path", "error", err)
-				return fmt.Errorf("failed to set IPC settings path: %w", err)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
 	lc.serverManager = lc.rad.ServerManager()
 	lc.apiClient = lc.rad.APIHandler()
 	lc.eventEmitter = eventEmitter
diff --git a/lantern-core/ffi/ffi_linux.go b/lantern-core/ffi/ffi_linux.go
index 23cd25ce35..9c3089270b 100644
--- a/lantern-core/ffi/ffi_linux.go
+++ b/lantern-core/ffi/ffi_linux.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/getlantern/radiance/servers"
+	"github.com/getlantern/radiance/vpn"
 	"github.com/getlantern/radiance/vpn/ipc"
 )
 
@@ -110,18 +111,18 @@ func startLinuxStatusPoller() {
 	})
 }
 
-func mapIPCStateToUIStatus(state string, err error) string {
+func mapIPCStateToUIStatus(state ipc.VPNStatus, err error) string {
 	if err != nil {
 		return string(Disconnected)
 	}
 	switch state {
-	case ipc.StatusRunning:
+	case ipc.Connected:
 		return string(Connected)
-	case ipc.StatusConnecting, ipc.StatusInitializing:
+	case ipc.Connecting:
 		return string(Connecting)
-	case ipc.StatusClosing:
+	case ipc.Disconnecting:
 		return string(Disconnecting)
-	case ipc.StatusClosed:
+	case ipc.Disconnected:
 		return string(Disconnected)
 	default:
 		return string(Disconnected)
@@ -151,10 +152,7 @@ func startVPN(_logDir, _dataDir, _locale *C.char) *C.char {
 		return C.CString(err.Error())
 	}
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
-	defer cancel()
-
-	if err := ipc.StartService(ctx, "", ""); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrServiceIsNotReady) {
+	if err := vpn.AutoConnect(""); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrServiceIsNotReady) {
 		sendStatusToPort(Error)
 		if errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrIPCNotRunning) {
 			if diagErr := requireLanternServiceAvailable(); diagErr != nil {
@@ -196,10 +194,7 @@ func connectToServer(_location, _tag, _logDir, _dataDir, _locale *C.char) *C.cha
 		return SendError(err)
 	}
 
-	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 8*time.Second)
-	defer cancel()
-
-	if err := ipc.StartService(ctx, group, tag); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrServiceIsNotReady) {
+	if err := vpn.Connect(group, tag); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrServiceIsNotReady) {
 		if errors.Is(err, ipc.ErrIPCNotRunning) {
 			if diagErr := requireLanternServiceAvailable(); diagErr != nil {
 				return SendError(diagErr)
@@ -208,14 +203,6 @@ func connectToServer(_location, _tag, _logDir, _dataDir, _locale *C.char) *C.cha
 		return SendError(fmt.Errorf("start service failed: %w", err))
 	}
 
-	if tag == "" {
-		return C.CString("ok")
-	}
-
-	if err := ipc.SelectOutbound(ctx, group, tag); err != nil {
-		return SendError(fmt.Errorf("select outbound failed: %w", err))
-	}
-
 	return C.CString("ok")
 }
 
diff --git a/linux/packaging/nfpm.yaml b/linux/packaging/nfpm.yaml
index d2c41e0102..d8ba32080e 100644
--- a/linux/packaging/nfpm.yaml
+++ b/linux/packaging/nfpm.yaml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ contents:
 
   # lanternd service binary
   - src: "${LANTERND_SRC}"
-    dst: /usr/sbin/lanternd
+    dst: "${LANTERND_DST}"
     expand: true
 
   # systemd unit