The basic steps to change your VPN on iPhone

To switch to a different VPN on your iPhone, go to Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN, then tap the VPN you want to use and toggle it on. If you haven't installed a VPN app yet, you'll need to read one from the App Store first — search for the VPN provider's name, install it, and follow their setup instructions before you can switch between them in Settings.

The exact wording in Settings varies slightly depending on your iOS version. On older iPhones running iOS 16 or earlier, the path is Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN. On iOS 17 and newer, it's Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN. Either way, you're looking for a section that lists the VPN connections you've already set up.

You can only have one VPN active at a time on iPhone. Turning on a new VPN automatically disconnects whichever one was running before. This is different from a computer, where you might run multiple VPN connections simultaneously — your phone won't let you do that.

Key Takeaways

  • You must read a VPN app from the App Store before you can switch to it; the Settings menu only shows VPNs you've already installed.
  • The path to your VPN settings depends on your iOS version: iOS 17+ uses Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN, while older versions use Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN.
  • Only one VPN can run at a time on iPhone; turning on a new one automatically stops the previous one.
  • Some VPN apps let you choose a server location or country within the app itself, which is separate from switching between different VPN providers.

Installing a new VPN app before you can switch to it

The Settings menu only shows VPN apps you've already downloaded and configured. If you want to switch to a VPN provider you don't have installed yet, you need to get the app first. Open the App Store, search for the VPN provider's name (for example, "Mullvad" or "ProtonVPN"), and tap Get, then Install. You'll need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.

After installation finishes, open the app and follow the provider's setup steps. Most VPN apps ask you to create an account or sign in, choose your privacy settings, and confirm that you want to allow VPN configuration on your device. Some providers let you start using the VPN when ready; others require you to complete account setup first. Once you've finished the app's setup, that VPN will appear in your Settings menu and you can switch to it anytime.

If you're switching from one paid VPN to another, uninstall the old app before installing the new one to avoid confusion. You can uninstall by pressing and holding the app icon on your home screen, then tapping Remove App > Delete App. This won't affect your Settings — the old VPN connection will disappear from the VPN menu once the app is gone.

Choosing a server location within a VPN app

Many VPN apps let you pick which country or server you connect through, and this is different from switching between VPN providers. If you're already using one VPN and want to change which server it routes your traffic through, you usually do that inside the VPN app itself, not in Settings. Open the app, look for a button labeled Server, Location, or Choose Server, and select a different country or city from the list.

Changing servers within the same VPN app doesn't disconnect and reconnect your VPN — it just reroutes your traffic to a different endpoint. This is faster than switching to a completely different VPN provider. If you're trying to access content that's only available in a specific country, or if your current server is slow, changing servers is usually the first thing to try.

What happens when you turn a VPN on or off

When you toggle a VPN on in Settings, your iPhone establishes a connection and you'll usually see a small "VPN" indicator in the status bar at the top of the screen. This means all your traffic is now routed through that VPN. When you toggle it off, the indicator disappears and your traffic goes directly to your internet provider instead.

Some VPN apps also show a notification or status screen confirming that you're connected. If you're switching from one VPN to another, the old one disconnects automatically — you don't need to manually turn it off first. However, it's good practice to turn off a VPN before uninstalling its app, just to make sure there are no lingering connection issues.

Troubleshooting when a VPN won't turn on

If you try to turn on a VPN and nothing happens, first check that the app is still installed. Go to the App Store and search for the provider's name; if it shows Get instead of Open, the app was uninstalled. Reinstall it and try again. If the app is installed but the VPN still won't connect, try force-closing the app: swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top-right on newer iPhones) to open the app switcher, find the VPN app, and swipe it up to close it. Then open it again.

If the VPN connects but then disconnects when ready, your account may have expired or you may have hit a device limit. Most VPN providers let you use their service on a limited number of devices at once — if you're logged in on more devices than allowed, the oldest connection gets kicked off. Check your account status in the VPN app or on the provider's website. You may also need to restart your iPhone: hold down the power button, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then power it back on.

Managing multiple VPN apps on your iPhone

You can install as many VPN apps as you want, but only one can be active at a time. If you have several installed, they'll all appear in your VPN list in Settings. This is useful if you subscribe to multiple providers or want to test different apps before deciding which one to keep. Just remember that each app takes up storage space and may run background processes, so keeping apps you don't use regularly installed can slow down your phone.

If you're switching between VPNs frequently — for example, using one for work and another for personal browsing — you can speed up the process by keeping both apps installed. Just toggle one off and the other on in Settings. You don't need to open the apps themselves unless you want to change server locations or adjust settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two VPNs at the same time on iPhone?

No. iPhone only allows one VPN connection at a time. If you turn on a second VPN, it automatically disconnects the first one. Some advanced users work around this by using a VPN on their home network and a separate VPN app on their phone, but that requires additional setup and isn't necessary for most people.

Will switching VPNs disconnect my current apps and downloads?

Switching VPNs will briefly interrupt your connection — usually for just a few seconds. Active downloads may pause or restart, and some apps might lose their connection temporarily. For this reason, it's best to switch VPNs when you're not in the middle of something important, like a video call or a large file transfer.

Do I need to delete my old VPN app before installing a new one?

No, but it's cleaner to uninstall the old one first. You can have multiple VPN apps installed and switch between them in Settings. However, each app uses storage and may run background processes, so uninstalling ones you don't use regularly keeps your phone running smoothly.

Why does my VPN keep disconnecting when I switch apps?

Some VPN apps disconnect if your iPhone goes to sleep or if you switch to a different app for too long. This is a battery-saving feature. Check your VPN app's settings for an option like Connect on Demand or Always On, which will keep the VPN running even when you're not actively using it. Be aware that keeping a VPN always on uses more battery.

What's the difference between switching VPNs and changing servers?

Switching VPNs means turning off one provider's app and turning on a different provider's app in Settings. Changing servers means staying with the same VPN provider but choosing a different country or location within that app. Changing servers is faster and doesn't interrupt your connection as much as switching providers.