How to use a VPN on Android: install, connect and check it works

What does a VPN do on Android?

A VPN app uses the VPN system built into Android. After you allow it once, every app on the phone sends its traffic through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN server: the browser, messaging apps, games and the rest. Your Wi-Fi or mobile network sees one encrypted connection, and websites see the server's IP address instead of yours.

Step 1: install a VPN app from Google Play

Install VPN apps from Google Play, never as an APK file from a website: Google Play checks apps for malware and keeps them updated. Before you choose, read what the developer stores and how the app is paid for. Our page on free VPNs for Android lists the six things worth checking.

Step 2: allow the VPN connection

The first time you connect, Android shows a connection request: the app wants to set up a VPN connection that allows it to monitor network traffic. Every VPN app gets the same message, because the wording comes from Android. Tap OK. Why Android asks for the VPN permission explains what it means.

Step 3: connect

1. Open the app and sign in, or create your account.
2. Tap Connect. In PryVPN, Smart Location picks a nearby, healthy server for you.
3. Wait for the key icon in the status bar. In PryVPN the seal closes and Home says Protected.

To connect without opening the app, add its tile to Quick Settings: pull down from the top of the screen twice, tap the pencil and drag the PryVPN tile into place.

Step 4: choose a country (optional)

For speed, the closest server is usually the right one. To appear in another country, open Locations and tap a city. Changing your country on Android explains what a VPN changes, and what it leaves as it is.

Step 5: check that it works

• Open What is my IP in your browser: with the VPN on, it shows the server's address.
• In PryVPN, run the Leak test from the Protection tab. It checks your public IP, the DNS server and IPv6: see the leak test.
• If a network won't let you connect, find your symptom and its fix.

Where are the VPN settings on Android?

In Android's own Settings, on a VPN screen that lists every VPN app you install. There you can make one Always-on, turn it off or remove it. On most phones it is under Network & internet › VPN; on Samsung, under Connections › More connection settings › VPN. The path for each brand:

On any brand, typing VPN in the search bar of Settings finds it. In PryVPN, Settings › Kill Switch › Open VPN settings takes you straight there.

How to turn off a VPN on Android

1. Open the VPN app and tap Disconnect, or tap its tile in Quick Settings. PryVPN can also pause for 5, 15 or 60 minutes and then reconnect by itself.
2. If the VPN comes back on by itself, Always-on VPN is set: open Android's VPN settings (above), tap the gear next to the app and turn off Always-on VPN.
3. If apps stay offline after you disconnect, turn off Block connections without VPN in the same screen.
4. To remove a VPN for good, uninstall its app. A VPN profile you added by hand is deleted from the same VPN screen.

Keep it on without thinking about it

A VPN protects you while it's connected. Turn on auto-connect so it starts by itself on Wi-Fi you don't trust, and Android's Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN so nothing leaves the phone outside the tunnel.