What is VPN on iPhone? How to turn it on or off
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The VPN setting on an iPhone is a switch for a service you supply yourself: Apple builds in the plumbing, not the VPN. If you have never installed a VPN app or been given one by work, the 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 goes through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN provider’s server, and out to the internet from there.
- Whoever runs the Wi-Fi you are on, and your mobile or internet provider, can see you are using a VPN but not which sites and apps.
- Websites and apps see the VPN server’s location instead of yours.
While it is connected, a small VPN badge shows in the status bar or Control Centre.
Do I need a VPN on my iPhone?
Not for the phone to be secure: iPhones encrypt plenty already. A VPN is worth having if you:
- often use public Wi-Fi in cafés, airports and hotels
- would rather your internet provider could not see which sites and services you use
- travel and want Australian services from overseas
- have been asked to by your employer, to reach work systems
If none of those apply, leave it off. The 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.
- From then on, 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. Not there? Go to General, then VPN & Device Management, then VPN.
If the VPN keeps turning itself back on
Connect On Demand is the usual cause. Most VPN apps switch it 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, 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. A VPN installed by your employer or school can be part of a management profile you cannot remove yourself.
Is iCloud Private Relay a VPN?
No. Private Relay, part of iCloud+, hides your Safari browsing from your network provider, but not other apps, and you cannot choose a country. A VPN covers the whole phone and lets you pick where you appear.
Which VPNs have an iPhone app?
These VPNs list an iPhone (iOS) app on their own websites: Surfshark, NordVPN, Proton VPN, PureVPN, CyberGhost, IPVanish, PrivateVPN, ExpressVPN, Windscribe, hide.me, Mozilla VPN, Mullvad VPN and Astrill VPN. The table shows the date we read each list.
| VPN | iOS app | Checked |
|---|---|---|
 Surfshark | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 NordVPN | ✓ Listed | 19 Oct 2026 |
 Proton VPN | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 PrivadoVPN | Not checked | – |
 PureVPN | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Intego VPN | Not checked | – |
 CyberGhost | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 IPVanish | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 PrivateVPN | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 ExpressVPN | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Windscribe | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 hide.me | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 IVPN | Not checked | – |
 Mozilla VPN | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Mullvad VPN | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Astrill VPN | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 AdGuard VPN | Not checked | – |
 Mysterium VPN | Not checked | – |
 Private Internet Access | Not checked | – |
Apps as each provider lists them on its own website. "Not checked" means we have not read that provider's app list yet.
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Renewal price | Money-back | Countries | Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Surfshark | A$3.49 27 months, A$94.23 upfront | – | 30 days | 100 | Unlimited | Visit Surfshark |
| 2NordVPN | A$4.79 27 months, A$129.33 upfront | A$187.08 per year | 30 days | 150 | 10 | Black Friday deal ends soonVisit NordVPN |
| 3Proton VPN | US$3.49 (about A$4.97) 2 years, US$83.76 upfront | US$83.88 per year | 30 days | 149 | 10 | Partner offerVisit Proton VPN |
| 4PrivadoVPN | US$1.11 (about A$1.58) 2 years | – | 30 days | 49 | 10 | Visit PrivadoVPN |
| 5PureVPN | US$2.15 (about A$3.06) 27 months | – | 31 days | 65+ | 10 | Visit PureVPN |
| 6Intego VPN | US$3.75 (about A$5.34) 2 years, US$89.99 upfront | US$149.99 per 2 years | 30 days | – | 2 | Partner offerVisit Intego VPN |
| 7CyberGhost | A$3.27 26 months, A$85.02 upfront | A$85.02 per year | 45 days | 100 | 7 | CyberGhost review |
| 8IPVanish | US$2.19 (about A$3.12) 2 years, US$52.56 upfront | – | 30 days | – | Unlimited | Visit IPVanish |
| 9PrivateVPN | US$2.00 (about A$2.85) 3 years, US$72.00 upfront | US$72.00 per year | 30 days | 63 | 10 | PrivateVPN review |
| 10ExpressVPN | US$4.99 (about A$7.10) 15 months, US$74.85 upfront | US$99.95 per year | 30 days | 113 | 10–14 | Visit ExpressVPN |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
– means we do not have that detail yet. Prices shown in US$ are published in that currency; the Australian-dollar figure is approximate, converted at the European Central Bank euro reference rates for 30 Oct 2026 (US$1 = A$1.424).
FAQ
Should VPN be on or off on my iPhone?
Off is fine if you have not installed one. If you have, turn it on for public Wi-Fi and anywhere you want privacy from the network.
Why does my iPhone VPN keep turning on?
Connect On Demand is switched on. Turn it off under Settings, General, VPN & Device Management, VPN, then the i next to the VPN’s name.
Does a VPN drain the iPhone battery?
A little, because the phone encrypts everything it sends. On a modern iPhone you will rarely notice.
Is a VPN on iPhone free?
The setting is free; the service behind it usually is not. Of the VPNs we track, Proton VPN, PrivadoVPN, Windscribe and hide.me have free plans. Best free VPN in Australia sets out what each includes.