Apple device users often believe that they do not need additional security services due to their superior hardware security. However, that could not be more wrong. There are many things which your Apple device can simply not protect you against, such as all the data that you send through your ISP.
A VPN can be a great tool to deal with all of the security issues that arise when browsing the web. Nowadays, the advanced capabilities of the iPhone have made installing a VPN a very easy task. We will not only take you through how to setup VPN on iPhone, but also recommend you a few VPNs which are perfect for all Apple devices.
Why you need a VPN for your iPhone
Even though the iPhone has good security built into its factory software, it cannot do anything about the way your ISP and your government handles your data. Nowadays, not only are law enforcement agencies easily able to track your browsing history, but your ISP may also be selling your browsing history to the highest bidder.
A VPN essentially guarantees your safety by having your entire traffic pass through a server hosted at a location of your choice. This means that your identity is protected not only from your ISP and anyone else that might be watching but also from any website that you may visit.
In case you are using public Wi-Fi, you might also be open to vulnerabilities through the router. A VPN also takes care of that by encrypting all your traffic with AES-256, the same encryption used by banks to protect customer data. On top of that, a VPN will help you access any censored websites in your country, such as torrent directories.
Recommended VPNs for iPhone
All of the industry-leading VPNs also offer apps for the iPhone, so it is as simple as selecting the one that is perfect for you. We will take you through 3 which provide you with all the necessary features a VPN for the iPhone needs.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the perfect VPN for all of your Apple devices. You should be using it on both your Mac as well as your iPhone. It has some of the best speeds available on the market and works flawlessly for all streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu.
It also has very tight security, which will protect you from any DNS or IPv6 leaks. However, it has to play second fiddle in the security department, as NordVPN has the crown there.
Read our full review here: ExpressVPN Review
NordVPN
As stated above, NordVPN is the most well-known and robust VPN in the world when it comes to security. However, the main reason that you may want to pick ExpressVPN over this is due to Nord not being as fast as the former. However, remember that NordVPN is fast enough to satisfy most household internet connection bandwidths.
Another aspect where NordVPN trumps Express is its pricing. NordVPN can be yours for much cheaper. Overall, we would still recommend ExpressVPN due to its speed and popularity, but NordVPN is a good alternative for your iPhone if you do not want to spend a lot of money.
Read our full NordVPN Review
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is a hidden gem when it comes to VPNs. Although it’s based in Sweden, which could be a problem when it comes to privacy, it has great speeds which are great for streaming in HD (which it fully supports).
PrivateVPN only has around 100 servers in 56 countries compared to many thousands that both ExpressVPN and NordVPN have. However, it is much cheaper than any of the other 2 VPNs. Unless you have a use for being able to choose from various locations as your VPN server, PrivateVPN may very well do the job for you.
Read our full review here: PrivateVPN Review
How to Setup VPN on iPhone using NordVPN
First, choose a pricing plan. Remember that the longer you pay for, the lesser the total cost per month. After that, you will be able to choose from a variety of payment methods, including numerous cryptocurrencies (which are secure and private methods of payment, making them perfect for purchasing a VPN).
Once you have set up your account, you can go to the iTunes Appstore and download the NordVPN app. Once the app has finished downloading, it is as simple as starting it on your iPhone and logging in.
After you log in, you can click Quick Connect to use the most optimal server in terms of latency and speed for you.
You can also choose a server either by clicking on any of the country pins or from the list. To access the list, just swipe up from the bottom part of the screen. This way, you can spoof your location to appear from exactly where you want.
Once you are connected, a green bar will appear on top of the application. You can disconnect whenever you want by clicking the Disconnect button.
Manual setup using the built-in network configuration tool
If you do not want to use a VPN app, then you can manually set up a VPN too. Head to the Settings tab, tap on General, and then tap onto VPN (it should be showing as ‘Not Connected’ right now). Here, you will be able to add a brand new VPN configuration.
Your VPN provider has all of the settings that you need to input. You will be required to enter a server IP, username, and password. Once the VPN has been added, it will show up underneath the VPN settings tab in ‘General.’
One of the disadvantages of this method is that you need to add each server yourself, and switching to a brand new server will require you first to enter its details before you can use it. However, this method is quite secure as it does not use the App Store, and it gives you the most control over your connection.
Conclusion
Remember that it is optimal to have all your internet traffic diverted through a VPN. We have taken you through how to setup VPN on iPhone as you may be using unsecured wifi on your phone, which is incredibly dangerous if you do not have a VPN. No matter what your activity, a VPN has no disadvantages but a ton of advantages, which is why you should always use it.
Thank you for the guide on how to do this. I’ve managed to install NordVPN with your guide and I like it. The vpn speed is amazing for the money I paid and I generally have had a great experience with them. Their prices are very good on the 2 and 3 years and the quality is definitely there.
People must understand that Apple devices are not magically secure and nothing can touch them. You do need a VPN on iPhone, a vpn on ipad, a VPN for every device you use. It doesn’t matter if you have an Apple device or not, you do need to stay protected and a good VPN is one of the most important steps towards that. I have recently started using NordVPN and the vpn configuration was easy to do and I’m very happy with the service overall. Everything works fine and with the right vpn settings done (which is not hard to do) I now feel a lot more protected than I once did.
I remember the days when I didn’t even know about the existence of a vpn and what it did. Not, after learning a bit more about the internet and how to stay secure online, I know we should all have a vpn. It just makes things a lot easier and safer. Not to mention that you can unlock things like Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other sites/services that may not be available in your country.
Hi Ronnie,
There was once a time when a VPN was probably unnecessary, but as surveillance becomes the norm and geo-blocking grows in prevalence, VPNs are becoming ever more important. An alternative to setting it up on each device is installing it on your router, but that will only help while you’re on wifi. Either way, glad you’re having success with NordVPN!
That’s so useful ! Thanks a lot for the article. I wasn’t sure how to install my VPN on my iPhone, at first I wasn’t sure it was useful or not to do it, but I felt that mobiles are more vulnerable and thus a VPN is useful, now I’m convinced it’s a good choice.
I didn’t even know this was possible! I’m really thankful for this, although I’m thinking of switching over to Android soon because I feel like they have more to offer. I’ll definitely set up a VPN on my iPhone in the meantime, though, because I’m always paranoid about stuff getting through to my phone on public networks.
Now, will there be a conflict between iPhone’s system an VPN when VPN is installed?
No, VPN services work fine on iPhone.
Yeah. The reality is that Apples are not foolproof and your data is still at risk. Your iPhone may at less of a risk compared to other phones, but don’t get suckered into believing you’re incapable of being hacked. A vpn is a good way to add another layer to your security and while I don’t have an iPhone, I’m adding a vpn for my Android. I’m also going to tell my Apple using friends about this.
I’d never thought of getting a VPN for my iPhone. Your article really helped me figure out how to secure all of my mobile information!