How to set up a VPN: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
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Published 4:07 p.m. UTC July 7, 2023
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A virtual private network, or VPN, can improve online privacy, security and anonymity. Installing and connecting to a VPN varies by device and VPN server, and it usually involves a handful of steps. On all devices, steps include downloading a VPN from your device’s app store or the internet and using your system’s preferences or settings to add a VPN.
Featured VPN service offers
NordVPN
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.99
Download speed (average)
235 Mbps
Surfshark
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$15.45
Download speed (average)
263 Mbps
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$11.95
Download speed (average)
124 Mbps
Setting up a VPN
Before choosing a VPN, make sure it’s compatible with all the devices you plan to use, including cellphones, laptops and other devices. Also, check the VPN’s website for device-specific tutorials. You may need to contact your VPN service provider or network administrator for details on what to enter into certain fields (such as VPN type).
Once you’ve chosen the best VPN for you, follow these steps to set it up.
Windows
- Download a VPN app from the Microsoft Store or internet.
- Navigate to “Settings” on your device.
- Click “Network & Internet” and then “VPN.”
- Click “Add a VPN connection.”
- Under “VPN Provider,” choose “Windows (built-in).”
- Name your VPN in the “IP Connection name” box (“Smith Household,” for example).
- In “Server name or address,” enter the address listed for your VPN server.
- In the “VPN type” field, enter the kind of VPN connection your company or VPN service uses. Contact your network administrator if you don’t know the connection type.
- In the “Type of Sign-in info” field, select the sign-in type you want to use (such as username and password).
- Click “Save.”
- Open the VPN app.
- Click on your account and press “Connect.”
Check out our guide to the best VPN for Windows.
Mac
- Download a VPN app from the App Store or internet.
- Navigate to your device’s “System Settings.”
- Scroll down to select “VPN.”
- Click “Add VPN Configuration” on the right.
- Fill in the “VPN Type.” Contact your VPN administrator if you don’t know the type.
- Enter your VPN name in the “Display Name” field “Smith Household” or “ABC Company,” for example.
- Enter the settings for your new VPN, such as the type of server address, account name, password and authentication method. Contact your VPN administrator if you don’t know how to fill these out.
- Click “Create.”
Check out our guide to the best VPN for Mac.
iOS
- Download a VPN from the App Store or internet.
- Open the VPN app and create an account.
- Open your device’s “Settings” app and click “General.”
- Click “VPN & Device Management.”
- Click “VPN.”
- Click “Add VPN Configuration.”
- Select the VPN type. Contact your VPN administrator if you don’t know the type.
- Fill in the remaining fields, including the description, remote ID and server. Contact your VPN administrator if you don’t know how to complete these fields.
- Enter your login information, including your username and password.
- Toggle the VPN status to “Manual,” “Auto” or “On” to enable your proxy server (if you’re using one).
- Click “Done.”
Android
- Download a VPN from the Google Play Store or internet and sign up for services.
- Open the “Settings” menu.
- Click “Network & Internet,” “Wireless & Networks” or “Wi-Fi & Internet.”
- Select “VPN.”
- Click “Add VPN” or use the “+” sign at the top right corner of your screen.
- Enter your VPN information, such as your username and server address. If needed, contact your system administrator or VPN provider for details.
- Click your VPN profile.
- Fill in the “Account” and “Password” fields.
- Click “Connect” or click “OK” when a connection request dialog box appears.
What to do if your VPN isn’t working
If you’re running into trouble with your VPN’s performance, try these fixes:
- Restart your device.
- Make sure your VPN is connected.
- Double-check your login credentials.
- Choose a different server.
- Make sure your firewall isn’t blocking your VPN.
- Reinstall your VPN.
How to choose a VPN
Not all VPNs are created alike, and some have multiple plan tiers, so do some comparison shopping before subscribing to a VPN service. For example, VPN Unlimited sells plans ranging from $3.99 to $9.99 a month per user that cover five to 100 devices.
Look for these features when researching the best VPN for you or your business:
- Compatibility: Make sure the VPN can be used on all your devices.
- Number of devices: You should be able to connect at least five devices and use them all at the same time.
- Encryption: Look for a service that offers the industry standard of AES 256-bit encryption.
- Servers: Check the total number of servers and make sure servers are available in your location. The more available servers, the better your VPN’s speed will be, and the more likely you’ll be able to unblock geo-blocked content.
- Reviews: Look for positive reviews in the app store and online. Check for customer complaints about the VPN’s servers or the company that owns the servers.
- Privacy: Review the VPN’s privacy policies and see what information it shares with third parties.
- Cost: Compare the price of monthly and yearly VPN plans and check what’s included in different membership tiers.
- Included security features: Security features such as kill switches (which disconnect your internet connection if the VPN drops), dark web monitoring (which alerts you if sensitive data is leaked) and multifactor authentication (which helps ensure only you can connect to the internet on your device) help improve the effectiveness of your VPN.
- Add-ons: Choose a VPN that offers add-ons with desired features. For example, many VPNs don’t offer dedicated IP addresses in paid plans. However, choosing a VPN provider that provides them as add-ons can improve your ability to access content and websites.
- Speed: Consider all factors that affect connection speed and balance them as you choose a VPN. Multilayer encryption can slow your internet connection, but it also creates a more secure connection. Other features, such as split tunneling (which allows you to choose which data is protected by your VPN), can help offset slow speeds caused by other security features.
Using a free vs. paid VPN
You can use a free VPN, but it might not meet your privacy, content access or security needs. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), many VPNs are free because they sell advertising within the app, or they share your information and online activity with other companies.” In addition, with a free service, you might sacrifice some basic features, like unlimited use of data or the ability to access blocked content due to limited server availability.
If free is what you need, here are some of the best free VPN options:
- Proton VPN: The free plan from ProtonVPN comes with unlimited bandwidth and no ads.
- Hide.me VPN: With the free plan from Hide.me VPN, you’ll get 10 GB of data, which might be enough for basic web browsing and email.
- Windscribe: Windscribe’s free VPN plan gives businesses 10 GB of data every month if you verify your email address.
You also could look for a VPN with a free trial, or sign up for a service like NordVPN, which offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
Alternatively, you can take other free and simple measures to secure your data online, like enabling multifactor authentication, installing software updates as soon as they’re available, using unique and complex passwords and using your cellphone’s hotspot instead of public WiFi.
Featured VPN service offers
NordVPN
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.99
Download speed (average)
235 Mbps
Surfshark
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$15.45
Download speed (average)
263 Mbps
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$11.95
Download speed (average)
124 Mbps
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The best VPN for you depends on its mix of security features, usability, price and customer support. The VPN service you choose should be compatible with your devices, offer privacy features like no-log policies (which prohibit tracking data that you transmit) and let you choose a server in places where you can more easily access locally blocked content.
VPN add-ons may be worth it if they improve security and convenience while using a VPN service. For example, a dedicated IP address is a common VPN add-on. Many companies offer dedicated IP addresses for an additional per month fee. A dedicated IP address can be beneficial if you access sensitive content with user verification protocols, such as your bank account information, while connected to a VPN. This is because a dedicated IP allows you to reuse the same IP address every time you connect to your VPN, unlike a standard VPN connection that switches your IP address every time and would require you to reverify your device each time you access the protected content.
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