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 VPNA virtual private network is a service that creates a secure connection between your device and a remote server that uses the Internet. VPNs hide your public IP address, making it difficult for companies or hackers to see your browsing history. It also allows you to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming sites, and prevents throttling from ISPs.

With a VPN enabled, your ISP cannot see which apps you use or which websites you visit, and with the same feature, apps and websites cannot view information about your ISP. If you’re connected to a public W-Fi network, a VPN adds an extra layer of privacy, keeping your browsing history hidden from that hotspot’s ISP.

In addition to the privacy benefits, a VPN can also be used for entertainment and travel purposes, such as accessing geo-restricted content. If you live in the US but are traveling to another country, you can use a VPN to make it look like you’re still at home, allowing you to access the US version of Netflix, for example, which is usually not available in other countries. On mobile devices specifically, a VPN may be able to help you stream videos in better quality while connected to a cellular signal by avoiding traffic shaping.

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

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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 an app from the App Store. Here’s how to install a VPN on your iPhone:

1. First, go to the App Store.
2. Then press Searching In the top bar, enter the name of the VPN app you intend to use and then tap the name in the list of results or tap Searching on the on-screen keyboard.
3. handle It happens next to the name of the VPN provider to download 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 sign up for the plan. Browse through the different plans to see if there’s an option that can save you money, especially if you intend to use the VPN for longer than a few months. You should also keep an eye out for any free trials.
6. Finally, choose a location from the list of servers 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. You should see the pop-up screen you see in the middle screenshot below, or something similar. To install a VPN profile, click Allows Enter your passcode and this should be it.

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

If you want easy access to your VPN, you don’t have to go to a VPN app to quickly switch it up and running. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > VPN To disconnect and connect to the last VPN server you were connected to.

There’s also a way to manually set up a VPN if necessary…

If your employer, school, or self-hosted server provides you with connection details, such as the server address and login or certificate, you can add the VPN directly to your iPhone without installing any apps. Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN and Device Management > VPN > Add VPN Configuration.
2. Choose IKEv2 VPN protocol (the most common for iOS). IPSec and L2TP are still around, but many providers now prefer IKEv2 for faster reconnections and reliability.
3. Enter the description, server, remote ID, and, if desired, local ID.
4. Enter authentication details using your username/password or certificate exactly as provided.
5. Tap the blue check mark (iOS 26) or finished button (earlier iOS versions) at the top right and then toggle VPN in the same menu. You can also turn it on and off from the main mode Settings List or from Control center.

There’s 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 a range of VPN options available, both free and paid, and your decision mainly 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 the winner of the CNET Editors’ Choice award for Best Overall VPN of 2025. At $13 per month, $75 for the first 15 months or $98 for the first 28 months (one- or two-year plans renew at $100 per year), it’s one of the more expensive options. But we’ve found that ExpressVPN justifies its premium price because it’s fast, reliable, and easy to use. It may not have as many advanced privacy features as other VPN competitors, but it does offer the privacy basics, like a kill switch (which cuts off your internet if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly), split tunneling (to use a VPN connection for some apps and not others) and an audited no-logs policy (to back up no-log claims). ExpressVPN is a great option for accessing geo-blocked streaming content while you travel, because it is 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- or two-year plans are initially cheaper than ExpressVPN. But Company’s $140 per year auto-renewal on the one- and two-year plans is much more expensive than Express’s $100-per-year auto-renewal. The app is also easy to use. You can easily choose a location to connect to and also quickly connect to specialized servers, such as Onion over VPN or dual VPN servers, both of which make it difficult to trace your data back to your device (such as your iPhone).

Surfshark It’s the best value VPN for iPhone, and despite its relative affordability, it doesn’t compromise on privacy features. Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark has an intuitive interface, but is packed with privacy features, like dynamic multi-hop connections, IP rotor, and an ad and tracker blocker. While the monthly plan is expensive compared to most competitors at $15 per month, Surfshark’s plan of $48 for the first year or $60 total for the first two years undercuts many competitors. Even the $79 per year auto-renewal for the 1 and 2-year plans is cheaper than the renewal prices offered by ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Typically, we don’t recommend most free VPNs, for several reasons: you may get 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, doesn’t bombard you with ads, and doesn’t slow down your speed. Proton VPN’s zero layer is limited – it doesn’t allow you to manually choose a server and you can only connect to one device at a time. But Proton’s paid 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 privacy on your iPhone. Additionally, most paid VPN options feature a seven-day free trial (as long as you sign up through the App Store) or a money-back guarantee, so there are ways to use paid VPNs without spending any money — but only for a limited time.