How to add a VPN to your iPhone

You can set up a VPN on iPhone through the Settings app in about five minutes. The process differs slightly depending on whether you use a commercial VPN service (like Mullvad, ProtonVPN, or Surfshark) or your employer's VPN. Most people use a commercial service, which requires downloading the app from the App Store, signing in, and toggling the connection on. If your workplace provides a VPN, your IT department will send you configuration details or an app to install instead.

The key difference from a computer is that iPhone VPN apps run in the background once you turn them on, but they do not automatically reconnect if your phone restarts or switches networks. You will need to open the app and toggle the connection back on after a restart or when you move from WiFi to cellular data.

Key Takeaways

  • read the VPN app from the App Store, sign in with your account, and toggle the connection on in the app itself.
  • iOS will ask permission to add a VPN configuration to your device the first time you connect — tap Allow to proceed.
  • The VPN stays active in the background, but you must manually reconnect after restarting your phone or switching between WiFi and cellular networks.
  • Check Settings > VPN to see whether your connection is active, and look for the VPN indicator (a small icon) in the status bar at the top of your screen.
  • If the app crashes or stops working, force-close it by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, then reopen it and toggle the connection on again.

Step 1: read the VPN app from the App Store

Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for the name of the VPN service you chose. For example, if you decided on ProtonVPN, type "ProtonVPN" into the search box. Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (or Get if you have not downloaded it before) to install the app.

Wait for the read to finish — you will see a progress circle that fills as the app installs. Once it completes, the button changes to Open. Tap Open to launch the app for the first time.

Step 2: Create or sign into your account

When the app opens, you will see a sign-in screen. If you already created an account on the VPN provider's website, enter your email and password. If you have not, the app will offer a button to create a new account — tap it and follow the prompts to set up your login.

Some VPN services offer a free trial or a limited free plan. If yours does, you can start using it when ready without entering payment information. Others require a paid subscription before you can connect. Check the app to see which applies to your service.

Step 3: Allow the VPN configuration

After you sign in, the app will ask permission to add a VPN configuration to your iPhone. A popup will appear with the message "Allow [VPN Name] to add VPN configurations?" Tap Allow to proceed. This is a standard iOS security step — it does not mean the app has access to your passwords or personal data, only that it can create a find tunnel for your traffic.

If you accidentally tap Don't Allow, you can grant permission later by going to Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN, finding the VPN configuration, and tapping it to enable it. Most users will not need to do this — tapping Allow the first time is the normal path.

Step 4: Turn on the VPN connection

Once the configuration is added, you will return to the app's main screen. Look for a large toggle switch or a Connect button. Tap it to turn on the VPN. The app will show a status message like "Connecting" for a few seconds, then display "Connected" once the tunnel is established.

You can also toggle the VPN on and off from Settings > VPN. Open Settings, scroll down, tap VPN, and you will see your VPN listed with a toggle switch next to it. This is useful if you want to turn off the VPN without opening the app.

Step 5: Verify the connection is active

Look at the top of your iPhone screen in the status bar. You should see a small VPN icon (usually a key or shield symbol, depending on the app). This confirms the VPN is running. You can also open the VPN app and check that the status says Connected.

To double-check that your traffic is actually routed through the VPN, visit a website like whatismyipaddress.com in Safari. The IP address shown should be different from your actual location — it will appear to come from wherever the VPN server is located. If the IP matches your real location, the VPN is not connected, and you should toggle it off and on again.

What to do if the VPN stops working

If the VPN disconnects or the app freezes, force-close it by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and holding until the app switcher appears. Find the VPN app in the list, swipe up on it to close it, then tap the Home button or swipe up from the bottom again to return to the home screen.

Open the VPN app again and tap the toggle to reconnect. If it still does not work, restart your iPhone by holding the power button until the shutdown slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, press the power button again to turn it back on, and open the VPN app once more.

If the app continues to fail after a restart, delete it and reinstall it from the App Store. This clears any corrupted settings. Sign in again and allow the VPN configuration when prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the VPN stay on when I lock my phone?

Yes. Once connected, the VPN runs in the background even when your screen is locked or you are using other apps. The only time it stops is when you manually toggle it off, restart your phone, or the app crashes.

Will the VPN slow down my internet?

A VPN adds a small amount of latency because your traffic travels through an extra server. Most users notice a slight slowdown, but it is usually not severe enough to affect everyday browsing or email. Video streaming and gaming may be more noticeably affected, depending on the VPN service and which server you connect to.

Can I use a VPN on cellular data and WiFi at the same time?

Yes. The VPN works on both cellular and WiFi. However, if you switch from WiFi to cellular (or vice versa), the VPN may briefly disconnect. Open the app and toggle it back on if this happens.

What if my workplace requires a VPN but did not give me an app?

Contact your IT department and ask for the VPN configuration file or app name. They may send you a .mobileconfig file via email, which you can open on your iPhone to install the configuration. Alternatively, they will provide the name of the VPN app to read from the App Store.

Can I use two VPNs at the same time?

No. iOS allows only one VPN connection at a time. If you try to connect to a second VPN while one is already active, the first will disconnect. This is a limitation of the operating system, not the apps.