How to Set Up a VPN for your Phone

Knowing how to set up a VPN will help make the Internet safer, more secure and more private. But let’s start with an important question: what exactly is a VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) provides a secure Internet connection by using private servers in remote locations so that the data being sent between your smartphone and the VPN server is securely encrypted. In a nutshell, a VPN lends you a temporary IP address and hides your true IP address from every website or email you connect with. In return, you receive a smarter and safer Internet experience.

Nowadays, we’re almost constantly connected to the Internet. We send emails, browse social media accounts and exchange data with others—giving someone plenty of opportunity to get ahold of credit card numbers, passwords, confidential messages and browsing history. Many of us use public WiFi networks with no encryption, and even when a WiFi network is secure, it may not be enough. This is where knowing how to set up a VPN comes into play.

There are multiple ways to set up a VPN. Both iPhones and Androids have free and paid VPN apps that make it easy to browse securely, so be sure to visit the App Store or Google Play Store to research your options. There’s also a way to set up a VPN manually, which is what we’ll show you how to do.

How to set up a VPN for iPhones

Before setting up a VPN for an iPhone, you’ll need to gather some information, like the VPN connection protocol type, certificates, server details and proxy settings.

1. Open the Settings app. Select General > VPN > Add VPN Configuration.
2. Choose Type and select the protocol type: IKEv2, IPsec or L2TP. Tap Back.
3. Fill in the server details. Depending on the protocol type chosen, enter Description, Server, Account, Secret, Remote ID, User Authentication and Local ID.
4. If necessary, configure the proxy details at the bottom of the screen. Use the Manual proxy options to specify the server, port and authentication settings. Use Auto to enter the URL.
5. Tap Done when you’re completed with the iPhone VPN setup.
6. To enable VPN connections on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > VPN and turn on Status.
7. Select the VPN configuration you’d like to use on your iPhone. If you set up only one, it will be chosen by default.

How to set up a VPN for Androids

Before setting up a VPN for an Android, you’ll need to gather some information, like the VPN connection protocol type, certificates, server details and proxy settings.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Under the Wireless & Networks section, select More > VPN.
3. Select the + sign.
4. Enter your VPN information and select your desired protocol.
5. Tap Save.
6. To connect, go back to the VPN settings, select your VPN of choice and enter your username and password.
7. Hit the three-dot menu if you’d like to set your VPN to always be on.

Surf the Internet on your phone smarter and safer by knowing how to set up a VPN. For more tips, tricks and how-to guides be sure to check out the Trademore blog.

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