How to use a VPN on iPhone or iPad

Even if you know next to nothing about VPNs, using one on your iPhone and iPad is extremely easy.

While you may have spotted a VPN menu in Settings, there’s no need to go in and configure the settings: modern VPN apps do it all for you.

Obviously, we don’t need to tell you how to install the app on your iPhone or iPad, but we’ll share a few details that will make your first VPN experience completely worry-free.

What is a VPN and what does it do on an iPhone or iPad?

Before we get started, here’s a quick overview of why you’d want to use a VPN on your iPad or iPhone in the first place.

Unblocking

For most people, a VPN is an easy way to bypass regional blocks that prevent them from watching the shows they want to see or using the websites they want to access. Some YouTube videos, for example, can only be viewed in certain countries and, as everyone knows, the shows and movies available on Netflix change depending on the country you are in.

With a VPN, you can watch the US Netflix library from the UK and watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK.

As incredible as it may seem, even in the West some websites are blocked due to data regulations. For example, certain US-based retailers block access to European visitors due to GDPR rules, while services such as BBC iPlayer are blocked to viewers outside the UK. A VPN allows you to bypass this and browse sites as if you were in the country where the service exists.

Privacy

A VPN encrypts the connection between your iPhone or iPad and the Internet. This gives you privacy by preventing your ISP (and anyone else) from seeing what websites you visit, as well as helping you become anonymous to websites so they can’t track you (unless you log into them, of course ).

In this respect, there are some similarities with Apple’s iCloud Private Relay, which arrived with iOS 15 (and macOS Monterey) in late 2021. iCloud Private Relay is a feature for all paid iCloud subscribers (iCloud+). iCloud Private Relay is similar to a VPN in the way that it encrypts your web browsing and hides your location, IP, and what you’re browsing. This encryption only happens when you use Safari, so if you use another browser, you won’t have the same protection. And of course, it won’t let you bypass restrictions based on your location.

Here we explain how iCloud Private Relay differs from a VPN: iCloud+ Private Relay FAQ: Everything you need to know. For more information on the legalities and whether it’s safe to use a VPN, read: Is VPN safe for iPhone?

Security

Public Wi-Fi usually allows you to connect without entering a password, and this can be a bit risky because the connection is not encrypted. But a VPN provides encryption so you can safely use the Internet in airports, coffee shops, hotels, and other places. All reputable websites and web services provide their own encryption (and certainly banks and banking apps do), but using a VPN removes any risk that sensitive information could be exposed.

If you want to access your home or business network remotely, you can set up your own VPN. Read: How to set up a macOS server VPN service. We also have this article on how to remotely access your Mac.

We have even more information on whether you should use a VPN on your Mac, iPhone or iPad in a separate article.

How to get VPN on iPhone

Assuming Apple’s iCloud+ Private Relay doesn’t offer what you need, you’ll need to sign up for a VPN service, download and install their app, and set it up on your iPhone.

To help with the first part, here are some VPNs we recommend: Best VPNs for iPhone. We also have a roundup of the best VPNs for Mac and the best VPNs for iPad (since you may want to use a VPN on multiple devices). Our top recommendations for services that work on your Apple devices include Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN.

Some VPNs have a good deal for the first year or two, but be aware of when that deal expires as you could face hefty subscription prices for subsequent years. Set a reminder and when that deal expires look for another one: here are the best VPN deals right now.

Once you’ve chosen your VPN provider, you’ll need to install the app on your iPhone (and other devices) and set it up. We’ll explain how to do this using NordVPN below, but the steps will be similar regardless of the service.

How to use a VPN on your iPhone or iPad

Now you know what a VPN is for (if you haven’t already) here’s what you need to do to install it on your iPhone or iPad and how to use it to mask your location, hide your browsing habits, and protect your privacy and security.

1.

Sign up for a VPN and create your account

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When you subscribe to a VPN service, you can use it on several devices at once. Apps are usually available for Windows, macOS, iOS, iPad, Android and even streaming devices including Apple TV.

We’re using NordVPN here as an example, but while there may be slight differences in where the options and settings are, these steps apply to most VPN apps, not just Nord.

The first step is to register and create an account on the website of the VPN service provider. At the time of writing, NordVPN was offering 70% off 2-year and 3-month subscriptions.

You will need to create an account so be sure to write down your username and password as you will need them later.

2.

Download the application

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3.

Open the app and sign in

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Open the app and sign in.

You will need to enter your login information and password as stated earlier.

If you’re asked if you want to allow notifications, you can choose your preferences: they don’t matter.

4.

Connect to the VPN server

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Connecting to a server in another country is very easy.

In the Nord app, you can scroll around the world map, browse the list of countries or tap the quick connect button.

You will be asked to give permission. Click to approve.

You will see a message that NordVPN wants to add VPN configurations. This is part of the automatic setup, so tap ‘Allow’.

You may also be asked to enter your passcode or Touch ID or Face ID will be used to grant that permission. This process allows NordVPN to set up a VPN profile that you can see later by going to Settings > General > VPN.

The app should connect you to the server you choose (or the server in your country by default).

While the connection is active, all Internet traffic from your iPhone will be encrypted and routed through that server.

Now you can switch to other apps and everything should work as usual. Note that certain banking apps may not work because they provide encryption themselves.

5.

Spoof your location with a VPN

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So you want to pretend you’re browsing from another country so you can watch videos or browse websites you’re usually blocked from? It’s simply a case of connecting to a server in the country where that service, site or particular video is available.

Note that not all VPN providers unblock all video services, so check to see if there’s a specific service you want to unblock. Almost all of them unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime and other popular ones, but it’s still worth checking before you sign up.

Also know that you still need an account and, usually, an active subscription to the service you’re trying to watch. A VPN doesn’t make Netflix or Disney+ free: you have to be a subscriber in that country as well as your own.

Using a VPN to watch blocked videos will likely also violate some of the terms and conditions of these services. We have yet to hear of any paying customers who have had their video streaming accounts suspended or even stopped, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Read more here: Is it safe to use VPN on iPhone.

How to spoof your location with a VPN

1. Find a list of countries (or servers) in your VPN app.
2. With NordVPN, you can simply swipe around the map until you see the country you’re ‘temporarily located’ in and tap one of the pins.
3. You will see a dialog box with the name of the selected country, an on/off switch icon and an option to select a server. Just tap the on/off button to connect to that server.
4. Wait while it connects, which should only take a few seconds.
5. Now when you browse the web using Safari or another application, websites and services will behave as if you were in that country. So the prices will be displayed in local currency and you should be able to access sites and videos that were previously blocked.
6. When the connection is active, you will see a VPN icon in the upper right corner of your iPhone screen.

How to turn off VPN on iPhone or iPad

If you want to stop using the VPN, disconnecting is a simple process:

1. Open the NordVPN app (or whatever service you use).
2. Tap Disconnect.
3. A message that you are not connected will appear and the iOS VPN icon will disappear.

You can also disconnect from the VPN in this way:

1. Go to Settings > General.
2. Scroll down to VPN.
3. To disconnect, tap the switch next to Status.
4. Optionally, tap the (i) icon next to VPN configuration, then tap the switch next to Connect on demand to stop VPN connections in the future.