You can set up a VPN on your iPhone in minutes. Here’s how

Installing a VPN on your iPhone provides an extra layer of security whether you’re at home or on the go. A VPNor virtual private network, is a service that creates a secure connection between your device and a remote server using the Internet. VPNs hide your public IP address, making it difficult for companies or hackers to view your browsing history. They also allow you to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming sites and prevent throttling from Internet service providers.

With a VPN enabled, your ISP can’t know what apps you use or websites you visit, and similarly, apps and websites can’t view information about your ISP. If you’re connected to a public W-Fi network, a VPN adds an extra layer of privacy, so your browsing history is hidden by that hotspot’s ISP.

In addition to the privacy benefits, VPN can also be used for entertainment and travel purposes, such as accessing geo-restricted content. If you live in the United States but are traveling to another country, you can use a VPN to make it seem like you’re still at home, allowing you to access the American version of Netflix, for example, which is generally not available in other countries. On mobile devices in particular, a VPN can help you stream higher quality videos when using a cellular signal by avoiding traffic distortion.

If you’re concerned about privacy, want to access region-locked content, travel abroad, or want to avoid mobile data throttling, a VPN is worth installing on your iPhone. Here’s what you need to know about choosing one and how to set it up.

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Watch this: Tips for Using VPNs for Maximum Privacy

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Here’s How to Use a VPN on Your iPhone Easily and Quickly

Installing a VPN app on your iPhone is pretty simple: like most other iOS apps, you’ll simply download one from the App Store. Here’s how to install a VPN on your iPhone:

1. First, go to the App Store.
2. Then press the Research At the top, enter the name of the VPN app you intend to use, then tap the name in the list of results or tap research on your on-screen keyboard.
3. Faucet Get next to the VPN provider name to download it to your iPhone.
4. Next, open the VPN app.
5. Log in if you already have an account. If you don’t have an account, create one and subscribe to a plan. Browse the different plans to see if there is an option that can save you money, especially if you intend to use the VPN for more than a few months. You should also keep an eye out for free trials.
6. Finally, choose a location from the server list and connect to the VPN server.
7. The first time you try to connect to a VPN server, you will be asked to install a new VPN profile on your iPhone. The pop-up screen you see in the middle screenshot below, or something similar, should appear. To install the VPN profile, tap Allow and enter your password and that should be it.

You should then be connected to a VPN server. Browse your VPN app and play around with the different settings available. If you want to protect your other devices (your tablet, computer, streaming device, etc.), most VPNs allow multiple simultaneous connections.

If you want to easily access your VPN, you don’t need to go to the VPN app to quickly turn it on and off. Instead, you can go to Settings > VPN to disconnect and connect to the last VPN server you were connected to.

There is also a way to manually configure your VPN if necessary…

If your employer, school, or self-hosted server provided you with connection information, such as a server address and ID or certificate, you can add a VPN directly to your iPhone without installing any apps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN and device management > VPN > Add VPN configuration.
2. Choose it IKEv2 VPN protocol (which is the most common for iOS). IPSec and L2TP still exist, but many vendors now prefer IKEv2 for faster reconnections and reliability.
3. Enter the description, server, remote ID, and optionally a local ID.
4. Enter the authentication details using either your username/password or a certificate exactly as provided.
5. Tap the blue checkmark (iOS 26) or the Do (earlier iOS versions) at the top right, then enable VPN in the same menu. You can also enable/disable it from the main screen. Settings menu or from the Control center.

There is also an option to sign in to your work or school account via an email address in your settings, if IT allows you to access your VPN that way.

Which VPN should you use on your iPhone?

There are plenty of VPN options, both free and paid, and your decision essentially comes down to two things: what you need from your VPN and how much you’re willing to pay. Here are the best iPhone VPNs on the market.

ExpressVPN is CNET’s Editors’ Choice winner for Best Overall VPN for 2025. At $13 per month, $75 for the first 15 months, or $98 total for the first 28 months (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 per year), it’s one of the more expensive options. But we found that ExpressVPN justifies its high price because it’s fast, reliable, and simple to use. It may not have as many advanced privacy features as other competing VPNs, but it provides the privacy essentials, like a kill switch (which cuts off your Internet if your VPN disconnects unexpectedly), split tunneling (to use a VPN connection for some apps but not others), and an audited no-logging policy (to back up its privacy claims). zero logs). ExpressVPN is a great option for accessing geo-blocked streaming content while you travel, as it’s very fast and excels at bypassing regional restrictions.

NordVPN is the fastest VPN for iOS. At $13 per month, $60 for the first year, or $83 total for the first two years, NordVPN’s one- and two-year plans are initially cheaper than ExpressVPN. But the company’s $140 per year auto-renewal on the one- and two-year plans is significantly more expensive than Express’s $100-per-year auto-renewal. The app is also simple to use. You can easily choose a location to connect to and also quickly connect to specialized servers, like Onion over VPN or double VPN servers, both of which make it harder to trace your data back to your device (like your iPhone).

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for iPhone and, despite its relatively affordable price, it doesn’t compromise on privacy features. Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark has an intuitive interface, but it’s packed with privacy features, such as dynamic multi-hop connections, an IP rotator, and an ad and tracking blocker. Although the monthly plan is high compared to most competitors, at $15 per month, Surfshark’s $48 for the first year or $60 total for the first two years is lower than many competitors. Even its $79 per year auto-renewal on the one- and two-year plans is cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN’s renewal prices.

Normally, we don’t recommend most free VPNs, for several reasons: you might have weaker encryption, data caps, slow speeds, data collection, ads, limited server options or even malware. The only free VPN we can enthusiastically vouch for is Proton VPN because it doesn’t track you, bombard you with ads, or throttle your speed. Proton VPN’s zero-dollar tier is limited: it doesn’t let you choose a server manually, and you can only connect on one device at a time. But Proton’s paid premium plan is a great upgrade path for people who need more simultaneous connections, a larger server network, or additional manual control.

Usually, it’s better to pay if you really need a VPN to protect your iPhone privacy. Additionally, most paid VPN options offer a seven-day free trial (provided you sign up through the App Store) or a money-back guarantee. So there are ways to use paid VPNs without spending money, but only for a limited time.