How to Set up a VPN on Your Android
VPNs (virtual private networks) route your Internet access through another server somewhere in the world – they can spoof your location, prevent other parties (including your ISP) from seeing what you do online, and encrypt your data, so more difficult to intercept and analyze.
On Lifehacker you will find many articles about the benefits of VPNs and some of the best VPN deals you can find on the internet. These tools can be installed on your Android phones and tablets, as well as Windows, macOS and iPhone .
Do you need a VPN on Android?
Once you install a VPN on Android, everything you do online goes through it, be it through apps or your mobile web browser: your VPN app goes pretty deep into Android to manage all your online traffic. Calls and text messages will not be affected, but messaging apps that connect to the Internet (including WhatsApp and Signal) will be affected.
We’ve already touched on some of the benefits of a VPN: Routing your traffic through different secure servers this way means it’s well protected from the company providing your internet, as well as from the authorities. This also means you can change the location of your Android phone if you need to (although many streaming apps can do this now).
However, VPNs do not make you anonymous. If you’re logged into Instagram, Amazon, or Google, they’ll still know what you’re doing—a VPN doesn’t mean no one can see everything you do online or inside apps.
It’s up to you to decide whether you need a VPN, given that these services do have a slight impact on the speed of your internet connection and may cost you some money. They’re most valuable if you spend a lot of time on public Wi-Fi networks (like cafes and hotels), where it’s more likely that other devices will try to find out what you’re doing.
How to choose an Android VPN
The process for choosing a VPN for Android is the same as choosing a VPN for any other platform: take your time, do as much research as you can, and listen to advice from people you trust. (Speaking of reliability, we have our own lists of the best VPNs and the best free VPNs you can get right now.)
One of the key features to look out for is a no-logs policy, which means no records of your browsing are kept, and ideally you want a no-logs policy that is independently audited. Remember that while governments, ISPs and law enforcement will not be able to see your online activity, your VPN company will be able to, so you need to choose one you trust.
It’s also worth checking the number of servers the VPN offers around the world and the number of devices you can connect to the VPN service at once (if you need coverage beyond your Android phone or tablet). You may also find that a VPN is included with another subscription: Google One or Proton Unlimited, for example.
Generally speaking, paying for a VPN gives you added peace of mind that the VPN provider you choose isn’t making money from you any other way. However, there are several reliable free VPN providers, which are listed in our guide to the best free VPNs for Android . You’ll have to live with some limitations of the free plans, such as limits on speed or the number of servers you can connect to.
Set up a VPN on Android
The process of setting up a VPN on Android is simple and straightforward once you’ve chosen the VPN you want to use. While the exact steps vary depending on the VPN you decide to use, I’ll tell you how to install NordVPN on Android – it’s one of the best VPNs on the market, and our guide to NordVPN and ExpressVPN will tell you more about it.
Find the VPN you want on the Play Store (in this case, NordVPN for Android), log in, and select a VPN server to connect to: With NordVPN, you can also click Quick Connect to use a server near your current location. . The first time your VPN app connects to the Internet, Android will ask you to confirm that you trust it.
To view the VPNs available on your device and switch between them, in Settings, select Network & Internet, then VPN (Pixel phones) or Connections , More connection options, and VPN (Pixel phones). Galaxy). When the VPN is active, you should see a key icon in the status bar, and your chosen VPN app may also display a persistent notification letting you know which server you’re connected to.
Tap the gear icon next to your current VPN to configure it (for example, to always have it on). You can also click the + (plus) icon in the top right corner to manually enter your VPN server details, but this only applies if you’re using a virtual private network provided by your employer or other organization—most users don’t . I need this screen.