How to use a VPN on iPhone

With occasional exceptions, all the best VPN services have apps designed explicitly for iPhones and iPads. When these apps work well, they're not just reskins of the Windows or Android apps, but give you a user-friendly interface designed specifically to work with iOS.

If you're here, you might already know how a VPN works and what you can get from using one. Even so, actually shopping for a VPN , installing one and using it properly can feel overwhelming. But it's not as hard as it sounds — by the end of this article, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and steps to get the most out of your iPhone VPN. If you're looking for tips for another device, see my overview on how to use a VPN .

Installing a VPN on your iPhone

If you've installed an app on your iPhone before, you already know how to install a VPN. Once you've picked a VPN service you like, simply open the App Store, type the VPN's name into the search bar and tap the "Get" button by its name. Put in your Apple ID and associated password, then wait for the app to download and open it up.

However, unless you're using a free VPN like Proton or hide.me, just having the app isn't enough to actually get secured. You'll also need a paid account, which you can get in one of two ways.

Your first option is to use a browser. Go to the VPN's website on any device, find the subscription page (it's usually not hard — VPNs want you to give them money) and choose a plan that works for you. Pay for the subscription and pick a username and password. Once you're confirmed, open the VPN app on your iPhone, type in that username and password and you're ready to go.

Alternatively, you can go directly through the iPhone app, which you'll be prompted to do if you open the app without having an account. This works the same way, except that your payments are handled by the App Store, not the VPN itself. If you want to cancel and get a refund after signing up this way, you'll have to do it through Apple.

Configuring and using a VPN on your iPhone

Don't let anyone — even me — tell you that it's wrong to use an iPhone VPN "out of the box." Part of being user-friendly is working immediately upon download, so most VPNs I recommend don't require tweaking. Having said that, I still recommend getting familiar with the options for those rare moments you need them. At a minimum, try the following steps:

• Turn on the kill switch, which will save you from revealing your activity if your VPN server unexpectedly stops working. With the kill switch active, you won't be able to use the internet if you aren't already on a VPN server.

• Activate any ad-block featuresthat come with the VPN. These usually also block tracking cookies and domains associated with malware, so if you see those settings, turn them all on.

• Set the VPN to automatically pick the best protocol for you.The apps are good at this, and it saves you having to tinker yourself.

• Look through the list of server locationsand favorite the ones you plan to use often, assuming that's possible.

• On certain sites, you'll find the VPN getting in the way, so use the split tunneling featureto set these as exceptions. Even if you don't plan to use split tunneling yet, learn where it is and how to use it.

The screenshot below shows an illustrative example of a VPN's iOS interface — Surfshark, in this case. Most of them don't look too different from this.

Once you have the settings where you want them, all that's left is to find a server location and connect. Unless you need a location in a specific country, it's easiest to let the VPN pick the fastest location for you. After that, simply connect and start using the internet as you normally would.

Do you need an iPhone VPN?

An iPhone VPN is a tool for defending your personal privacy . When you use an iPhone to get online through a Wi-Fi connection, your internet company can see your digital identity as you go about your business online. ISPs track that information and sell it as a separate revenue stream — and might make it available to police upon request, violating your fourth amendment rights.

Using a VPN hides your identity behind one of the VPN's servers, like a mask that makes you anonymous as you visit your favorite websites. It also makes you invisible to anyone who might be trying to weaponize a public Wi-Fi network against you, and changes your location so you can see what's streaming in other countries.

Choosing an iPhone VPN

I'm the kind of person who buys the first pair of shoes he tries on, but that's a dangerous attitude when shopping for VPNs. Some of the most popular ones, especially free VPNs, have lax security or a tendency to exploit users almost as much as ISPs do (though there are definitely free VPNs I like ).

You don't need to research a graduate thesis before you buy an iPhone VPN, but a little due diligence could save your life. Don't commit to any subscription that doesn't have a clear, legible privacy policy backed up by independent audits. App store reviews can also help: the more a VPN has, the better, as long as the average is at least four stars out of five.

As an iPhone user, you may be able to take advantage of special free trials to check out the VPN without having to give it a payment method. You can also use the VPN's guaranteed refund (as pictured above) as a de facto free trial. Use this period to run some tests on the VPN's speed and security.

Of course, expert opinions are also valuable (and I'm not just saying that because I need a job!). I linked to my best VPN roundup in the intro paragraph, but I've also put together lists of the best cheap VPNs and the best VPNs for streaming . If you just want a name, my first recommendation on iPhone or anywhere else is Proton VPN , but ExpressVPN is also a strong choice.

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