
Need a VPN for iOS?
Get ExpressVPN Now
Love ExpressVPN? Want a free month?
Refer a Friend NowUse this tutorial to manually set up a VPN configuration (using L2TP) on your iPhone or iPad. The iOS Express Manual Setup works for all versions of iOS.
Prefer app setup? See the instructions for app setup for iOS 10 and above.
Jump to section
Download the VPN configuration
Install the VPN configuration
Connect to a VPN server
Disconnect from the VPN server
Download the VPN configuration
On your iPad, open Safari, go to expressvpn.com and tap My Account to sign in.
Note: You must use Safari in order for this to work.
On the login page, enter your email address and password, then tap Sign In.
Tap on Set Up ExpressVPN.
Under ExpressVPN for iPhone, iPad and iPod, tap the link that says “complete the ExpressVPN manual setup for iOS”.
A new page will open in Safari telling you that the ExpressVPN settings are being loaded onto your device. This might take a few seconds. Please be patient!
If prompted, tap Allow.
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
Install the VPN configuration
You will see a message saying “Profile Downloaded”. Tap Close.
Go to your device’s Settings. Select General > Profile > ExpressVPN.
Tap Install. Enter your device’s passcode when prompted.
A warning will pop up. Tap Install and Install.
When the installation is complete, tap Done.
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
For versions of iOS below 12.3.1
You will then be taken to your device’s Settings menu. Your device will prompt you to install the VPN profile. Tap Install.
Enter your passcode or authenticate with Touch ID to begin the installation.
A warning will pop up. Tap Install.
Confirm the installation once again by tapping Install.
When the installation is complete, tap Done.
You will be taken back into Safari. Go to Settings > General > VPN to connect to a VPN server (see next step).
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
Connect to a VPN server
To connect to a VPN server, go to Settings > General > VPN.
In the VPN menu, you will see a list of ExpressVPN servers to connect to. Tap the server location you wish to connect to, then toggle the Status switch to the right.
Congratulations! You’re now connected to one of our VPN servers.
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
Disconnect from the VPN server
To disconnect from the VPN server, go to Settings > General > VPN and toggle the Status switch to the left.
Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.