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, tap . By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the optimal experience for you, called Smart Location.

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, tap .

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, 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 ExpressVPN’s top picks for you.

The ALL LOCATIONS tab lists VPN server locations by region. You can expand and collapse the lists by tapping and  .

To add a location to your favorites, swipe right on it.

You can access your favorite locations in the FAVOURITES tab.

To remove a location from your favorites, swipe right on it again.

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

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Add shortcuts to the ExpressVPN app

The shortcuts feature appears on the ExpressVPN home screen after you connect to the VPN. It will not appear the first time you connect, but it will appear from your second connection onward.

Shortcuts allow you to conveniently and quickly launch apps and websites straight from the ExpressVPN app anytime you are connected. If you find yourself regularly visiting a handful of favorite destinations after connecting to VPN, adding shortcuts saves you from having to switch back to your device’s home screen or browser to find them each time.

To launch an app or website, tap its icon.

If you have fewer than five shortcuts selected, you can add one by tapping .

To add or remove shortcuts, tap Options.

Tap Other Settings.

Under Other Settings, tap App and Website Shortcuts.

Under Include, you can add up to five shortcuts.

To add a shortcut to the list, tap . To remove a shortcut, tap . To reorder a shortcut, long press and drag it to your preferred position.

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:

Tap Options.

Tap Other Settings.

Under VPN Settings, tap VPN protocol.

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. Tap Upgrades.
   
3. Tap Advanced Protection.
   
4. 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, tap Options.

Tap Split Tunneling.

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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Access support articles in the app

You can now access support articles within the ExpressVPN app.

Tap Help.

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, tap and hold an empty spot on the home screen and tap Widgets.

Tap and hold the ExpressVPN widget.

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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Set up ExpressVPN on other devices

With a single ExpressVPN subscription, you can connect and secure eight devices at the same time.

To set up ExpressVPN on your other devices, tap Options.

Tap Set Up Other Devices.

Tap Email Setup Link.

You will receive a setup link at the email address you used to sign up for ExpressVPN.

Open the email on the devices you want to set up ExpressVPN on. Select Set Up Now, then follow instructions to download and set up ExpressVPN.

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, tap Options > Other Settings > Protection Summary, then toggle on or off.

To view your Protection Summary in greater detail, tap the Protection Summary card on the home screen.

Protection Summary is divided into these sections:

Time protected

This section indicates the amount of time you have had ExpressVPN turned on during the current week, providing an at-a-glance look at how intensively you are incorporating VPN security into your digital life.

IP location

This displays the IP address and physical location currently being shown to sites and services. When you connect to ExpressVPN, you receive a new IP that replaces your real one. Note that when you use ExpressVPN, you might be assigned a different IP for every website you visit, further enhancing your anonymity.

When you are connected to the VPN, a Refresh button (with two arrows forming a circle) next to the IP address allows you to quickly disconnect and reconnect while keeping your device protected from data leaks. This could be useful for troubleshooting a slow connection.

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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