How to delete a VPN on iPhone
To remove a VPN from your iPhone, go to Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN, tap the information icon next to the VPN name, then tap Delete VPN. The VPN will disconnect when ready and stop routing your traffic through that service. If you installed the VPN through an app rather than through Settings directly, you may also need to delete the app itself from your home screen.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you set up the VPN manually (by entering server details yourself) or installed it through an app like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Both methods leave behind configuration files that you should remove to keep your device clean and prevent accidental reconnection.
Key Takeaways
- Manual VPN configurations are deleted through Settings > VPN & Device Management, not through the app store.
- App-based VPNs require you to delete both the configuration and the app itself to fully remove them.
- Removing a VPN does not delete your browsing history or other data stored on your phone.
- If you cannot find the VPN in Settings, it may be installed as a Mobile Device Management profile that requires your device passcode to remove.
Deleting a VPN you set up manually
If you added the VPN by typing in server addresses and credentials yourself, deletion happens entirely in the Settings app. Open Settings, scroll down and tap VPN & Device Management, then tap VPN. You will see a list of any VPN configurations on your phone. Tap the blue information icon (the circled "i") next to the VPN you want to remove.
On the next screen, tap the red Delete VPN button at the bottom. Your iPhone will ask you to confirm by entering your device passcode. Once you confirm, the VPN is removed and will no longer appear in your VPN list. Your phone will stop using that VPN when ready, and any traffic you send will no longer be routed through that server.
Removing a VPN installed through an app
VPN apps like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost install both an app and a VPN configuration on your phone. Deleting just the app does not fully remove the VPN — the configuration stays behind and can still connect if something triggers it. To completely remove it, you must delete both.
First, delete the app itself by finding it on your home screen, pressing and holding the icon, and tapping Remove App > Delete App. Then go to Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN and delete the VPN configuration using the same steps as above. Some VPN apps also leave behind a Mobile Device Management profile — if you see one listed under VPN & Device Management with the app's name, tap it and select Delete Management Profile to remove it completely.
What to do if you cannot find the VPN in Settings
If the VPN does not appear under VPN & Device Management > VPN, it may be installed as a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile instead. Go to Settings > VPN & Device Management and look for the VPN name under the profiles section. Tap it, then tap Delete Management Profile. Your phone will ask for your device passcode to confirm.
If you still cannot locate it, the VPN app may be storing its configuration in a way that requires you to open the app itself and disconnect or remove it from within the app's settings. Open the VPN app, look for a settings or account menu, and search for an option to disconnect, log out, or remove the VPN. After you do that, delete the app from your home screen as described above.
Checking that the VPN is fully removed
After deletion, verify that the VPN is gone by opening Settings > VPN & Device Management and confirming it no longer appears in either the VPN list or the profiles section. You can also check your network status by opening Settings > Wi-Fi — if a VPN was active, it would show a VPN icon next to your connection name. Once the icon is gone, the VPN is no longer running.
If you want to confirm your traffic is no longer being routed through a VPN server, you can visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com in Safari. The IP address shown should be your actual internet service provider's address, not a VPN server address. If you see a different IP than before, the VPN has been successfully removed.
Why you might want to remove a VPN
You may delete a VPN because you switched to a different service, your subscription expired, or you no longer need the privacy protection it provided. Some people remove VPNs because they were slowing down their connection or preventing certain apps from working correctly — banking apps and streaming services sometimes block VPN traffic. Removing the VPN configuration entirely ensures it will not reconnect unexpectedly or consume battery power in the background.
If you are removing a VPN because an app stopped working, try deleting the VPN first and testing the app. If it works without the VPN, you know the VPN was the cause. You can then decide whether to switch to a different VPN service, contact the VPN provider's support, or straightforward go without the VPN for that particular app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a VPN erase my browsing history?
No. Deleting a VPN configuration removes only the VPN connection itself, not your Safari history, cached data, or any other information stored on your phone. Your browsing history remains unchanged.
Will my iPhone reconnect to the VPN automatically after I delete it?
No. Once you delete a VPN configuration, it will not reconnect on its own. However, if you reinstall the VPN app, it may prompt you to reconnect when you open it.
What is the difference between deleting a VPN and disconnecting from it?
Disconnecting pauses the VPN but leaves the configuration in place — you can reconnect with one tap. Deleting removes the configuration entirely, and you would need to set it up again or reinstall the app to use it.
Can I delete a VPN if I do not remember my device passcode?
No. Deleting a VPN configuration requires your device passcode for security. If you forgot your passcode, you will need to reset your iPhone through iCloud or a computer before you can delete the VPN.
Why does my VPN still appear in Settings after I deleted the app?
The VPN configuration is stored separately from the app. Deleting the app does not automatically remove the configuration. You must go to Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN and delete it manually using the steps above.