| Updated: December 27, 2024
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Installing a VPN on iPhone and iPad does not require technical expertise. Most commercial VPNs offer a dedicated VPN app for iPhones, which can be directly downloaded from their websites or the App Store.
Here are the steps to install and configure a VPN on your iPhone and iPad:
I have also included steps for manually configuring a VPN on your iPhone and iPad. You will need login credentials from a commercial VPN provider to set up a VPN on your iPhone without an app.
Before proceeding, ensure you choose a reliable VPN like NordVPN to effectively hide your IP address and secure your online data. NordVPN offers thousands of servers in over 100 locations, making it an excellent choice for streamers, gamers, and privacy enthusiasts.
I don’t need to emphasize the growing use of mobile phones, as there are now more mobile devices on the planet than people. Many have transitioned entirely from computers to mobile devices, relying on them for almost everything.
From sending emails and browsing the internet to accessing social media and watching videos on platforms like YouTube or TikTok, mobile phones have revolutionized the way we work and entertain ourselves compared to 20 years ago.
Online threats are always there, and it is advised to use a VPN on your iPhone or iPad and stay secure online. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet connection, which adds an additional layer of security and online anonymity.
This article will discuss the methodology to install and use a VPN on iPhone and iPad. I will discuss both the iOS app and manual methods to set up a VPN on an iPhone & iPad.
iPhone and iPad share similar OS and user interface. Setting up a VPN on iPhone and iPad has similar steps but minor differences. I have detailed the VPN installation on both devices below.
Most commercial VPNs offer a VPN app for iOS devices. These apps can be downloaded from their websites or Apple App Store. Here are the steps to download and install a VPN app on iPhone:
Always test your VPN after connecting. You can verify its functionality by checking your IP address online. Additionally, test for mobile leaks, including IP, DNS, and browser leak identification, to ensure comprehensive security.
Setting up a VPN on an iPad involves similar steps to configuring one on an iPhone. If your iPhone and iPad are linked to the same Apple ID, the VPN app may automatically sync to your iPad via iCloud. However, you will still need to log in and configure the VPN on your iPad to make it functional.
Here are the steps to download and set up a VPN on iPad:
Enabling a VPN on your iPhone or iPad can slightly reduce your internet speed, as your traffic is encrypted and routed through a VPN server. However, there are tricks you can use to optimize your internet speed and improve your connection.
This is especially important for streaming or online gaming, which require a lower ping rate. Reliable VPNs with thousands of servers typically minimize speed reductions. In my experience, connecting to a VPN has resulted in a 10-20% drop in speed—a well-known disadvantage of using a VPN.
You will need to change your network settings to set up a VPN on your iPhone. This method is also know as manually setting up a VPN on an iPhone, and here are the steps to do it:
Restart your iPhone if your VPN is not working, as new settings can sometimes overlap with old ones, causing connectivity issues. Additionally, you can build your own VPN or configure a free VPN on your iPhone, like Hotspot Shield or Proton VPN.
Here are the steps to configure a VPN on iPad without an app:
With a VPN enabled, you can bypass VPN blocks and access geo-restricted websites and firewalls. I often use my iPad to watch movies on Netflix while lying in bed.
I would recommend buying a VPN anonymously for those of you residing in countries where VPNs are illegal.
Setting up a VPN on your router requires a little technical knowledge but is the best choice if you have many devices connected to the router. All your devices will be secured after you set up a VPN on your router at home or in your office.
I used this technique to install a VPN on Roku, and it worked perfectly since Roku does not offer or support VPNs. Before moving forward, check if your router’s firmware supports VPN or needs to be flashed with a new firmware like DD-WRT.
Another option is making a virtual router via your PC or Mac using the WiFi hotspot. Every device connected via the newly created hotspot will be protected.
I have tested several free and paid VPNs on my iPhone and iPad, and all of them provided great VPN experience. I remember bypassing the great firewall of China with NordVPN’s Obfuscated VPN servers and using ExpressVPN’s optimized server to unblock Hulu from Russia and watch The Handmaid’s Tale.
Both VPNs provide highly optimized servers and ensure data security with modern protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. Additionally, they offer dedicated apps for iPhone, Apple TV, Windows, Android devices, and more, supporting simultaneous use on over five devices.
NordVPN has been reviewed and rated as the overall best VPN of 2024 by several trusted review platforms, including VPN for What. Meanwhile, ExpressVPN has been recognized as the best VPN for streaming and unblocking content and websites.
NordVPN is available at $4.49/m with 24/7 chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. I have tested NordVPN’ cancelation and refund process and my money got credited in 3 business days.
ExpressVPN is offered at $4.99/m with a 4 months free and 61% discount. You can test it for 30 days and get your money back if unsatisfied with ExpressVPN’s cancelation and refund policy.
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Additionally both VPNs offer a VPN app for iOS devices, including iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. Here is a detailed guide on installing a VPN on Apple TV, with and without the app.
A VPN has numerous benefits, and anonymous browsing is one of them. Here is a table describing the benefits of using a VPN on iPhone and other iOS devices.
| VPN uses | Benefits |
| Public Wifi | A VPN hides your IP address from hackers when connected to public WiFi. |
| Unblocking | You can access geo-restricted content on your iPhone or iPad with a VPN. |
| Privacy | A VPN hides your IP address, making you anonymous to the prying eyes of cyber criminals and ISPs. |
| Security | Your data is encrypted with secure VPN protocols and ciphers, which can only be decrypted upon reaching its destination. |
| Torrent | You are advised to hide your IP address when you download a torrent. |
| Social Media | The rise of censorship laws and policies has restricted public use of certain social media apps, which a VPN can help unblock. |
| Remote Work | Using a VPN enables secure access to company resources and confidential data while working remotely. |
The demand for VPNs is increasing daily due to the many benefits they offer, including enhanced privacy, security, access to geo-restricted content, and secure downloading. While iPhones provide a highly secure operating system that is nearly impossible to breach, they do not inherently protect your online activities.
I have outlined the steps to install a VPN on both iPhone and iPad, either through an app or manually. Additionally, I recommend choosing a reliable VPN for your iPhone to effectively hide your IP address and safeguard your online data.
Here are more articles about installing a VPN on your devices:
The easiest method to install and configure a VPN on an iPhone or iPad is by downloading its app via the App Store.
Here are the steps you should follow:
Here are the steps to manually configure a VPN on your iPad or iPhone:
Setting up OpenVPN on iPhone requires technical expertise. However with these steps you can easily install the OpenVPN client on your iPhone:
No, iPhones don’t come with a built-in VPN service, but they do offer built-in support for VPN connections. This means you can configure and connect to a VPN service directly through the iOS settings.
You can change your IP address on an iPhone using a VPN, proxy, or Smart DNS. However, while a proxy and Smart DNS can mask your IP address, they leave your traffic unencrypted, making it vulnerable to cybercriminals, hackers, and your ISP.
Here is a detailed guide explaining the difference between VPN, proxy, and Smart DNS.
Mustafa is a cybersecurity analyst and a co-founder of VPN for What. Since 2017, Mustafa has gained international experience, working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
