What Is VPN on iPhone? And How to Turn It On or Off
The VPN setting on an iPhone is a switch for a service you have to supply yourself. Apple builds in the plumbing, but not the VPN. If you have never installed a VPN app or been given one by work, that switch does nothing, and you can ignore it.
What VPN means on an iPhone
VPN stands for virtual private network. When it is on, everything your iPhone sends over the internet goes through an encrypted tunnel to a server run by the VPN provider, and out to the internet from there. Two things follow:
- Whoever runs the Wi-Fi you are on, and your mobile or internet provider, can see that you are using a VPN but not which sites and apps you are using.
- Websites and apps see the VPN server’s location in place of yours.
When a VPN is connected, a small VPN badge appears in the status bar or in Control Centre.
Do I need a VPN on my iPhone?
You do not need one for the phone to be secure. iPhones encrypt plenty already. A VPN is worth having if you:
- often use public Wi-Fi in cafes, airports and hotels
- would rather your internet provider did not have a record of the services you connect to (Australian providers must keep customer metadata for two years)
- travel and want to reach Australian services from overseas
- have been asked to by your employer, to reach work systems
If none of those apply, you can leave it off. A longer answer is in do I need a VPN?
How to turn on a VPN on iPhone
- Install a VPN app from the App Store and sign in. See our best VPNs for Australia list, or the free options.
- Open the app and tap connect. The first time, iOS asks permission to add a VPN configuration. Tap Allow and confirm with your passcode or Face ID.
- After that you can connect from the app, or go to Settings and use the VPN switch near the top.
How to turn off VPN on iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap the VPN switch near the top to turn it off. If you do not see it there, go to General, then VPN & Device Management, then VPN.
If the VPN keeps turning itself back on
This is the usual complaint, and the cause is a setting called Connect On Demand, which most VPN apps switch on so you are always protected.
- Go to Settings, General, VPN & Device Management, VPN.
- Tap the i next to the VPN’s name.
- Turn off Connect On Demand.
Some apps have their own version of this, called auto-connect or always-on, in the app’s settings. Turn that off too.
How to remove a VPN from iPhone completely
Delete the VPN app. To remove a leftover configuration, go to Settings, General, VPN & Device Management, VPN, tap the i and choose Delete VPN. If the VPN was installed by your employer or school, it may be part of a management profile that you cannot remove yourself.
Is iCloud Private Relay a VPN?
Not quite. Private Relay, which comes with iCloud+, hides your browsing in Safari from your network provider. It does not cover other apps, and it does not let you choose a country. A VPN covers the whole phone and lets you pick where you appear to be.
Which VPNs have an iPhone app?
Every provider we review lists an iOS app. The current prices are below, and each review has the full list of devices.
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Renewal price | Money-back | Countries | Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Surfshark | A$3.49 27 months, A$94.23 upfront | – | 30 days | 100 | Unlimited | Visit Surfshark |
2 CyberGhost | A$3.27 26 months, A$85.02 upfront | A$85.02 per 1 year | 45 days | 100 | 7 | Visit CyberGhost |
3 NordVPN | A$4.79 27 months, A$129.33 upfront | A$187.08 per 1 year | 30 days | 150 | 10 | Visit NordVPN |
4 Proton VPN | US$3.49 (about A$5.00) 2 years, US$83.76 upfront | US$83.88 per 1 year | 30 days | 149 | 10 | Visit Proton VPN |
5 IPVanish | US$2.39 (about A$3.43) 2 years, US$57.36 upfront | – | 30 days | – | Unlimited | Visit IPVanish |
6 ExpressVPN | US$2.99 (about A$4.29) 28 months, US$83.72 upfront | US$99.95 per 1 year | 30 days | 113 | – | Visit ExpressVPN |
| 7PureVPN | US$2.15 (about A$3.08) 27 months | – | 31 days | – | – | Visit PureVPN |
| 8hide.me | US$2.69 (about A$3.86) 26 months, US$69.99 upfront | US$69.99 per 26 months | 30 days | – | – | Visit hide.me |
| 9IVPN | US$5.00 (about A$7.17) 1 year, US$60.00 upfront | US$60.00 per 1 year | – | – | 5 | Visit IVPN |
| 10Mozilla VPN | A$7.50 1 year, A$89.99 upfront | A$89.99 per 1 year | – | 30+ | 5 | Visit Mozilla VPN |
– means the provider does not publish that detail on its pricing page. Prices shown in US$ are published in that currency; the Australian-dollar figure is approximate, converted at the European Central Bank euro reference rates for 12 Oct 2026 (US$1 = A$1.43).
FAQ
Should VPN be on or off on my iPhone?
Off is fine if you have not installed one. If you have, leave it on when you are on public Wi-Fi and wherever you want privacy from the network you are using.
Does a VPN drain the iPhone battery?
A little, because the phone is encrypting everything it sends. On a modern iPhone it is rarely noticeable.
Is a VPN on iPhone free?
The setting is free. The service behind it may not be. Some reputable providers have free plans; see best free VPN in Australia.