iOS VPN Setup: Configuring a VPN on an iPhone

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Itching to use your home network when on vacation? Or maybe you need something from your company's intranet while working remotely? Regardless of where you physically are, with a virtual private network (VPN) you can connect to remote networks. These are also useful if you want to surf anonymously.

Establishing VPN connections is particularly easy with an iPhone. Below, we'll tell you how to do it, and what you should pay attention to.

A VPN is an encrypted, virtual network that serves a number of different purposes. Two of the most important are:

1. They allow you to overcome physical barriers, and connect to geographically-distant networks - for example, your company or university's intranet. This kind of VPN connection can be established on an iPhone without any additional software.

2. They make it possible to bypass geo-blocking and Internet censorship (for example, in China). For this, you need an external VPN provider.

We'll show you how to do both:

Create a VPN Connection Using Your iPhone's Settings

Creating a VPN connection using the settings on your iOS device is relatively easy.

1) Open Settings and select General.

2) Scroll down to and tap on VPN.

3) Select Add VPN.

4) In this window, you will need to enter some important information and name your VPN (i.e. based on its location or purpose).

Your server admin or internet provider will make this information available to you. For online services, you should receive an email containing the necessary data.

The information that must be input depends on which VPN protocol your provider uses. Below, an example with IPSec is shown:

5) Once all information has been correctly input, tap on Done in the upper right of your screen.

6) Return to your network overview, and select the VPN you created from the list, sliding the Status toggle to the right (making it green).

The status should now change to Connected.

7) The appearance of a VPN icon in the status bar confirms that you are connected to the VPN network you created.

Even Easier: Connect Through Your VPN Provider's iPhone App

To surf more anonymously or bypass geo-blocking you'll need a subscription from a dedicated VPN provider. Your account credentials can then be used in Step 4 above to integrate the service on your device. For a fee, services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer access to VPN servers around the world.

However, there's an even simpler way: Thanks to their dedicated iOS apps, VPNs make it possible to establish a secure connection within a matter of seconds, without needing to adjust your device's settings. Once installed, all you'll have to do is select a server and tap on the Connect button.

NordVPN's Android app

The best VPN providers usually charge a modest subscription fee, however, there are also freemium VPNs. With these, you'll get limited functionality, fewer servers, and a fixed amount of data per month, at no cost. These apps can be downloaded from the App Store.

In EXPERTE.com's comprehensive review, we evaluated and compared 27 of the most well-known VPN services. Our Top 5 are below:

Best Overall 2024
NordVPN
NordVPN
(1,010,047 )
NordVPN is our number one VPN because it combines speed, ease-of-use, and functionality in a slick package that's also pretty affordable.
6,300+ servers, 111 countries
excellent performance
no logs
10 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
10
Protocols
5
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
NordVPN 2-year plan
 $3.09
monthly price
30 days money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
(767,886 )
ExpressVPN can impress with a strong performance, a huge server network, and excellently designed applications, but this quality also comes at a higher price.
3,000+ servers
160 cities in 94 countries
reliable performance
good for streaming
secure browser extensions
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
7
Contract Period
1 - 12 months
ExpressVPN 12 Months
 $6.67
monthly price
30 days money-back guarantee
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN
(236,165 )
Surfshark is one of the cheapest providers on the market, but it's a lot more than a great budget option: the relatively new VPN boasts strong protection, many features, and a great support with 24/7 live chat.
3,200+ servers in 100 countries
unlimited number of devices
many apps (Linux, FireTV, ...)
cheap 24-month plan
expensive monthly plan
8.8
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
3
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
Surfshark 24 months
 $1.99
monthly price
Get 83% Discount
Proton VPN
Proton VPN
(318,371 )
With its open source philosophy and extra security features, Proton VPN targets security-conscious VPN users. But thanks to its user-friendly interface and suitability for streaming, it's worth a look for a wide audience.
open source & external audits
2,900+ servers in 67 countries
great performance
free plan without data limit
not suitable for China
9.1
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
1 - 10
Protocols
3
Contract Period
0 - 24 months
Black Friday Deal 2024
Proton VPN Free
 $0.00
monthly price
Free forever
HideMyAss! VPN
HideMyAss! VPN
(89,379 )
HideMyAss' main claim to fame is its impressive server infrastructure, but the VPN also delivers solid speeds and handy features like its IP Randomizer. When it comes to streaming, however, it's not always the most reliable choice.
290 locations in 210 countries
IP Randomizer
strong performance
support with live chat
unreliable for streaming
8.6
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
1
Contract Period
12 - 36 months
HideMyAss! 36 months
 $2.99
monthly price
30 days money-back guarantee

All other contenders, as well as further details can be found here.

Best Overall 2024
Sponsored
NordVPN
6,300+ servers, 111 countries
excellent performance
no logs
10 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
Review
excellent
Try NordVPN now
30 days money-back guarantee
Author: Jonathan Kraske
* Ad disclaimer: For links marked with an asterisk, EXPERTE.com may earn a commission from the provider. The commission has no influence on our editorial rating.
Continue Reading
Best Overall 2024
Sponsored
NordVPN
6,300+ servers, 111 countries
excellent performance
no logs
10 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
Review
excellent
Try NordVPN now
30 days money-back guarantee