How to set up a VPN on Android, Windows, and other platforms (2024)

Keeping your activity secure and private is increasingly vital as we do so much online, especially while we’re almost all working remotely. A good VPN (Virtual private network) can go a long way in addressing some of these concerns. Want to set up a VPN on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet? Here’s how!

Learn more:How to use a VPN

How to manually set up a VPN on Android

1. Open the Settings menu of the phone. Keep in mind that the instructions below may vary depending on what device you have.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi & Internet or Wireless & networks. Basically, you need to go to the network settings page.
3. Tap on VPN. On some devices, you may need to expand the options by first tapping onMore.
4. Tap on the plus sign at the top right corner. If you don’t see one, you will need to open the advanced options menu (usually by tapping on the three vertical dots icon).
5. Enter the necessary information like the server address, username, and password. This info will be provided to you by the network administrator.

How to manually connect to OpenVPN networks on Android

To connect to OpenVPN, you’ll have to rely on a third-party app like OpenVPN Connect instead. OpenVPN’s official app runs on any device running Android 4.1 and above.

1. Download the app from the Google Play Store.
2. Your network administrator should provide the necessary information. The app lets you import a profile using an URL or select a .ovpn file on your phone.
3. You can also manually add a proxy connection.
4. The settings section lets you choose the protocol, enable a kill switch (called Seamless Tunnel), and set up a battery saver mode.

How to manually set up a VPN on iOS

1. Unlock your iPhone or iPad and open Settings.
2. Tap on General and select VPN.
3. Next, tap on Add VPN Configuration.
4. Your network admin will provide the necessary info. This includes the VPN protocol, the VPN settings (remote ID, server), and the authentication login info.
5. Once completed, tap onDone to save the profile.
6. You can now enable or disable the VPN connection by using the slider toggle on the VPN page.

Manually setting up a VPN on macOS

1. Click on the Apple menu (Apple icon) and go toSystem preferences > Network.
2. Click on the “+” icon in the list on the left.
3. Choose VPN on the Interface menu that pops up.

You’ll have to go through the different sections and add the required information.

• First, select VPN Type,choose the VPN protocol, add a name, and click onCreate.
• You can then enter the server address, authentication and login info, and any additional network administrator settings.
• ClickApply and then selectOK.
• To connect to the VPN, go toSystem Preferences > Network,click on the VPN service name and click onConnect.
• You can also select Show VPN status in the menu bar and use the status icon to connect to the VPN network quickly.

Manually set up a VPN on Windows 10

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet and select VPN.
2. You can also click on the Windows 10 search bar and type VPN, and selectVPN Settings.
3. Click onAdd a VPN connection.
4. Change theVPN Provider section to Windows (built-in)and fill out the rest of the form with the network administrator’s info.
5. The VPN is now available in the Wi-Fi section. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and select the created VPN connection.

Related: Proxy vs VPN: What’s the difference?

How to set up a VPN on Chrome OS

1. Click on your account photo in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Open Settings and select Add connectionin theNetwork section.
3. Click Add OpenVPN/L2TP.
4. Type the info required into the form that pops up and selectConnect.

You may also need to install server and user certificates before you can manually set up a VPN. All the required information should be available from the network administrator or the VPN provider.

These providers support multiple devices and platforms. The apps are easy to install and are intuitive, so using them is a breeze. After signing up, all you need to know is to download the right app, and you’re good to go.

See also:What can VPNs do with your data?

I’ve also reviewed more services like BullGuard,SaferVPN,StrongVPN,PureVPN,VPN Unlimited, andIPVanish. There are many more in the works, including one I’ve only heard good things about — SurfShark.

See more of our favorites:The best VPNs