How to Set Up a VPN on Android

Ash (362)

Dec 17, 2020

If you want to browse the internet from your Android phone with an extra level of anonymity, you may want to look into using a VPN.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to hide your IP address and secure your network traffic by connecting your Android phone to a VPN service. This is different from hosting a VPN server in which you would whitelist accounts for access to your own VPN (but if you do want to do that, check out our guide on how to create your own VPN on the Raspberry Pi).

Android does not have the tools we need to use a VPN. You will need a third-party application to use VPN features.

h/android • 21 guides

It's up to you to choose what VPN service to try but we have a few recommendations and tips to help you in your research.

Check online and browse the Play Store for Android compatible VPN services. Examine the features provided by each potential service and look carefully at the reviews for each application.

Consider what limitations might affect how you use the VPN. Here are a few questions to ask when considering a potential VPN service.

Does it limit how many devices you can use?
Are the fees affordable?
Are there any terms in the user agreement that conflict with how you want to use the VPN?
Does this service provide appropriate account security measures?

If you're not sure where to start, we recommend checking out Nord VPN. Visit the official website for more details about Nord VPN support on Android.

Once you determine what service to use, locate the app for their service in the Play Store and install it.

If the app isn't available from the store, they may have an .apk file that has to be manually installed. The installation process for third-party APK files varies between Android editions and manufacturers. Search for your exact Android model online for tips on how to install APKs on your device.

Once the app has been installed, launch it. You will likely need to set up the VPN service for first-time use.

Create an account and follow any prompts when using the application. Consult the service website for support if you have any issues during this process.

Use the application to connect to a VPN server. You may need to review documentation from the developer for instructions on how to locate a server to connect to.

Once a connection has been established, you can browse the internet hidden behind the IP address of the server you're connected to.