How to set up and use ExpressVPN on Android 5.0 and above

This tutorial will show you how to set up the ExpressVPN Android app.

The ExpressVPN Android app is compatible with Android 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie (9), Oreo (8.x), Nougat (7.x), Marshmallow (6.x), and Lollipop (5.x).

Not yet a customer? Read more about VPN for Android.

Sign in to your account

On your Android device, go to the ExpressVPN setup page. If prompted, enter your ExpressVPN credentials and tap Sign In.

Enter the verification code that is sent to your email.

You will be taken to the downloads page.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Download the VPN app

There are two ways to download the app, depending on whether you have access to the Google Play Store.

If you can access the Google Play Store, tap Get it on Google Play.

In the Google Play Store, tap Install. Then tap Open.

If you cannot access Google Play, tap Download APK to download the APK directly to your Android device.

Note: ExpressVPN does not recommend downloading our APK from third-party sources. Learn more about downloading APKs.

By default, your device does not allow apps from unknown sources. Tap Settings, then toggle Allow from this source on.

After the APK is downloaded to your device, tap OPEN. Then tap Install.

Tap Open to launch the app.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Set up the VPN app

Open the app, then tap Sign In.

There are two ways you can sign in, depending on where you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription:

• If you did NOT purchase your ExpressVPN subscription from the Play Store: Enter the email address and password associated with your ExpressVPN account. Tap Sign In.
• If you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription from the Google Play Store: Tap restore your Play Store subscription.

You will be asked whether you want to share anonymous diagnostics with ExpressVPN. Select your preference to continue.

You will be prompted to set up your VPN and approve connection requests by ExpressVPN. Tap OK and OK to continue.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a VPN server location

To connect to a VPN server location:

1. Tap . By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the optimal experience for you, called Smart Location.
   
2. Once you see the Connected message on the app screen, you can start using the internet with added privacy and security.

Note: With a single ExpressVPN subscription, you can connect to the VPN on up to eight devices at the same time. If you try to connect more than eight devices at once, you will see this screen:

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from the VPN server location:

1. Tap .
2. You will know you are disconnected when the screen says, “Not connected.”

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Choose a different VPN server location

To choose a different server location:

1. Tap > to browse more VPN locations.
   

Note: The first time you try to change locations while connected to VPN, you will get a warning stating your internet traffic may be unsecure during reconnection. Tap Continue to proceed.

By default, the list of VPN locations features two tabs: RECOMMENDED and ALL LOCATIONS.

The RECOMMENDED tab shows you the fastest and most popular locations in your country.

The ALL LOCATIONS tab lists VPN server locations by region. You can expand and collapse the lists by tapping and  . You can also sort locations by alphabetical order or by the number of endpoints.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Switch to a different VPN protocol

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server. For the best experience, ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol option. This is selected by default and automatically picks the protocol most appropriate for your network.

In some cases, switching to a different protocol may help you achieve faster connection speeds.

To switch to a different VPN protocol:

1. On the VPN tab, tap Protocol.
   
2. Tap the protocol you want to use.
   

Learn more about using advanced options for Lightway, the VPN protocol we built from the ground up.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites

Customize your online experience and take back control over what companies know about you. You can block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content from within the ExpressVPN app in just a few taps.

A lot of the apps and websites you visit keep a record of and share your activity with third-party companies, including trackers, scammers, and malware sites. This information is used to serve you more targeted ads and content, usually without your knowledge or permission.

These advanced protection features prevent all apps and websites you visit on your device from communicating with the third-party companies in our open-source blocklists.

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable them:

1. Connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
2. On the VPN tab, tap Settings under Ad & Tracker Blocker.
   
   
3. Under Advanced Protection, toggle the settings on/off as you see fit.
   

Read more about ExpressVPN’s advanced protection features.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Use split tunneling

The Split Tunneling feature lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which apps don’t when you are connected to ExpressVPN.

To access your split-tunneling settings:

1. Tap Profile.
   
2. Tap Split Tunneling.
   
3. To decide which of your apps will use the VPN, select Only allow selected apps to use the VPN. Under Add Apps, select the apps you want to apply VPN protection to.

Note: If you enabled “Block non-VPN traffic” in your Android system settings, only the apps you select through this menu will be able to use the internet. All other apps will be permanently blocked unless you add them to this list.

If you select Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN, apps selected under Add Apps will not receive VPN protection.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Set up auto-connect

You can set up the ExpressVPN for Android to automatically connect to the last VPN location you were using when you turn on your phone and/or connect to an untrusted network.

To adjust your auto-connect settings:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the Auto-connect widget.
   
2. If you want the VPN to always connect when you turn on your phone, tap When Android starts up. If you want the VPN to always connect when you join untrusted networks, tap When joining networks not listed as trusted.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Speed test

You can run a speed test within the ExpressVPN. Here you can compare the speed of your current VPN location versus the speed of your internet service provider (ISP).

To run a speed test:

1. Tap Speed Test.
   
2. Tap the play button to start the speed test. It will take a few minutes to finish.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Change app appearance

You can change both the color scheme of the app as well as the style of the app icon.

To change the color scheme of the ExpressVPN app:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the pen and paper icon in the top right-hand corner of the app.
   
2. Under Color scheme, tap the theme you want to use. The app color scheme will change immediately.
   

To change the style of the app icon:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the pen and paper icon in the top right-hand corner of the app.
   
2. Under App Icon, tap the icon you want to use. The app icon will chanage immediately.
   

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Access support articles in the app

You can access support articles within the ExpressVPN app. These articles include guides on how to use the app, troubleshoot problems, and manage your account information.

To find these support articles:

1. Tap the Help tab.
2. Tap a category to select an in-app support article.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Add the ExpressVPN app widget

To add the ExpressVPN widget to your home screen:

1. Tap and hold an empty spot on the home screen and tap Widgets.
2. Tap and hold the ExpressVPN widget.
   
3. Drag the widget to your preferred place of the screen.

The widget is now on your home screen. You can use it to connect to and disconnect from the VPN without opening the ExpressVPN app.

To connect or disconnect from the VPN, tap .

To change locations, tap the location flag.

To open the ExpressVPN app, tap the widget.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Protection Summary

Protection Summary is a part of the ExpressVPN app home screen that provides an overview of your app use.

To enable or disable Protection Summary:

1. Tap the Protection Summary Time Protected widget on the app home screen.
2. Tap Protection Summary to toggle it on or off.

Note: If you are toggling Protection Summary off, the app will ask if you are sure. Tap CONTINUE to confirm that you want to toggle it off. Your Protection Summary stats will be deleted from your device.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Uninstall the app

To uninstall ExpressVPN from your Android device, tap and hold the ExpressVPN icon on the home screen. Then tap .

Tap Uninstall, then tap OK.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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