Learn how to set up and use the ExpressVPN Android app on your Googlebook, including connecting to a VPN server, adjusting app settings, and using key features.

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Sign into your account

  1. Go to ExpressVPN+ setup page.
  2. Enter the email address for your ExpressVPN account and click Sign in.ExpressVPN account sign in webpage, with the primary sign in form section highlighted in a green box.
  3. If you set up a passkey during setup, you will be prompted to use it to sign in. Otherwise, you can sign in using a verification code sent to the email address linked to your ExpressVPN account.

Once signed in, you will be taken to the download page for the ExpressVPN app.

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Download the ExpressVPN app

There are two ways to download the app, depending on whether you can get the ExpressVPN app from Google Play.

F rom the Google Play Store

  1. On the ExpressVPN+ setup page, under Operating systems, select Android. On the right, click Get it on Google Play.ExpressVPN web setup dashboard for Android, with the Android sidebar option and Google Play store badge highlighted in green boxes.
  2. Select Install to download and install the app.Google Play Store page for ExpressVPN, with the "Install" button highlighted in a green box.

  1. On the ExpressVPN+ setup page, under Operating systems, select Android. Then, click Download APK. ExpressVPN web setup dashboard for Android, with the Android sidebar option and "Download APK" button highlighted in green boxes.
  2. Your Googlebook may display a “File might be harmful” security warning, which happens when you download an app from outside Google Play. If you are downloading the APK from ExpressVPN’s official website, click Download anyway to continue downloading the file.Web browser APK download warning prompt, with the "Download anyway" button highlighted in a green box.
  3. Go to the folder where the file was downloaded (usually the Downloads folder) and double-click the ExpressVPN APK app.File manager Recent files view, with the downloaded ExpressVPN APK file entry highlighted in a green box.
  4. You will see a “Permission required” prompt because, by default, Googlebook does not allow apps from unknown sources. Click Settings to proceed.System "Permission required" dialog for installing unknown apps, with the "Settings" button highlighted in a green box.
  5. Toggle Allow from the source.Chrome "Install unknown apps" settings page, with the "Allow from this source" toggle switch highlighted in a green box.
  6. Click Install to prompt your Googlebook to install the app.ExpressVPN app installation prompt, with the "Install" confirmation button highlighted in a green box.
  7. Click Open to launch the app."App installed" confirmation dialog for ExpressVPN, with the "Open" button highlighted in a green box.
Note: ExpressVPN does not recommend downloading our APK from third-party sources. Learn more about downloading APKs.

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Set up the VPN app

  1. Open the ExpressVPN app.Googlebook home screen menu displaying installed applications, with the ExpressVPN app icon highlighted in a green box.
  2. Here you have two options: Sign In or Legacy Sign In.

You can sign into your ExpressVPN account with an email code, login token (or QR code), or a passkey.ExpressVPN sign-in method selection menu displaying Email code, Login token, and Passkey options highlighted in a green box.

Email code

Enter the email address associated with your ExpressVPN account. Click Continue.ExpressVPN email sign-in screen displaying an email input field with "Continue" and "Try Another Way" action buttons.

Find the verification code in your inbox and enter it here. Then, click Next to log into your account.ExpressVPN "Verify your account" card prompt with a text input field for entering a 6-digit verification code.

Login token

You can find your login token on the setup page of your ExpressVPN+ portal. Click Show other devices > Android, then click the copy icon to copy the token to your clipboard.ExpressVPN sign-in screen displaying options to enter a login token or scan a QR code.

Paste the token in the Enter login token here field and select Continue to log into your account. ExpressVPN sign-in screen with the "Scan QR code" button highlighted in a green box.

Alternatively, you can click the Scan QR code option and use your Googlebook camera to scan a QR code displayed on a device where you have already logged into ExpressVPN+ portal. This will automatically log you into your account.

Where can I find the QR code? The QR code is next to the login token on the ExpressVPN setup page. If you’re logged in to the ExpressVPN desktop app, you can also find it by selecting Go mobile in the left-side menu.

Passkey

If you created a passkey during signup on your Googlebook device, you can use it to log into your account.

  • Enter your email address and click Continue.ExpressVPN email sign-in screen with an email address field, a "Continue" button, and a "Try Another Way" option.
  • When prompted, use your passkey and follow the on-screen instructions to log into your account.

There are three ways you can sign in via the legacy option, depending on where you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription:

  • Email and password: Enter the email address and password associated with your ExpressVPN account and click Sign In.
  • Email and activation code: Enter the email address associated with your ExpressVPN account and your activation code.
  • Restore subscription: If you previously purchased your ExpressVPN subscription from the Google Play, selecting this option will automatically restore the subscription and log you in.

When you open the app for the first time, you will be asked to accept the ExpressVPN Terms of Service (ToS) and select your data-sharing preferences. Choose your preferred options to continue.ExpressVPN initial privacy agreement screen, with the "Accept", "Customise", and "Reject" consent buttons highlighted in a green box.

Once you are logged in:

  1. Click OK to begin setting up the app.ExpressVPN "Set Up Your VPN" permission setup screen, with the "OK" button highlighted.
  2. ExpressVPN will ask for permission to set up VPN connections on your device. Click OK to continue. Without this permission, the VPN configuration will not be completed.System "Connection request" permission dialog for setting up VPN connections, with the "OK" button highlighted in a green box.
  3. The app will ask you to enable notifications. Choose your preferred option to continue.ExpressVPN "Notifications" setup screen, with the "OK" button highlighted in a green box.
  4. If prompted, choose your preferences for whether you want ExpressVPN to send notifications.System notification permission popup prompt, with the "Allow" and "Don't allow" action buttons highlighted.

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Connect to a VPN server location

  1. On the home screen, click the power On button. button to connect. By default, ExpressVPN selects Fastest Location for the best experience.
  2. When Protected appears below the power On button. button, your VPN connection is active, and you can browse the internet with added privacy and security.ExpressVPN main dashboard showing active protection, with the "Protected" status indicator highlighted in a green box.

Note: The number of devices you can connect to the VPN simultaneously depends on the subscription tier you selected at checkout:

  • Basic: 10 simultaneous device connections.
  • Advanced: 12 simultaneous device connections.
  • Express Pro: 14 simultaneous device connections.

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from a VPN server, do the following:

  1. Click the power On button. button.ExpressVPN main dashboard showing active protection connected to Austria, with the connection power button highlighted in a green box.
  2. When the status says Not Protected, it means you have disconnected from the server.ExpressVPN interface showing disconnected status with USA - New York selected as location, with the "Not protected" status panel highlighted in a green box.

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Pause the VPN connection

ExpressVPN lets you pause your VPN connection for a specified period. The VPN will automatically reconnect when the pause ends.

Note: To use this feature, you must connect to the VPN.

To pause your VPN connection:

  1. Click the stopwatch icon at the top-left corner.ExpressVPN interface showing active protection connected to Austria, with the pause timer button in the upper-left corner highlighted in a green box.
  2. Select a time period.ExpressVPN "Pause intervals" modal dialog displaying duration options from 5 minutes to 1 hour with a red Cancel button.
  3. After successfully setting a pause interval, you will see a Paused and a countdown timer below the power button.ExpressVPN interface showing connection paused with a countdown timer, with the central "Paused" status indicator highlighted in a green box.

Once the timer runs out, the VPN app will automatically connect you to the previously connected server.

You can also extend the timer or resume the VPN connection manually by:

  1. Click the timer icon.ExpressVPN interface showing paused connection state, with the pause timer icon in the top left corner highlighted in a green box.
  2. Choose a different pause duration or select Reconnect to resume the VPN connection immediately.ExpressVPN "Pause intervals" modal menu showing 1 hour selected with a checkmark, with the green "Reconnect" button highlighted at the bottom.

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Choose a different VPN server location

To connect to a different VPN server, do the following:

  1. Click the Change widget to view available VPN server locations.ExpressVPN main dashboard showing disconnected status, with the selected location panel for USA - New York highlighted in a green box.
  2. A list of server locations will appear under two tabs: RECOMMENDED and ALL LOCATIONS.ExpressVPN "VPN Locations" menu screen, with the "RECOMMENDED" and "ALL LOCATIONS" tab selector highlighted in a green box.

The RECOMMENDED tab includes three sections:

  • Fastest Servers: Shows up to five of the fastest server locations based on your current location.
  • Recent Locations: Shows up to five server locations you connected to most recently.
  • Most Popular in Your Country: Lists the server locations most frequently used by other ExpressVPN users in your country.ExpressVPN "VPN Locations" recommended view, with section headers for "Fastest Servers", "Recent Locations", and "Most Popular in Your Country" highlighted in green boxes.

The ALL LOCATIONS tab organizes VPN server locations by region. Click the downward Downward icon. arrow or upward Upward icon. arrow to expand or collapse a list. You can filter the list by region (Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, or Middle East and Africa) and sort locations alphabetically or by the number of server endpoints.ExpressVPN "VPN Locations" screen under "ALL LOCATIONS", with the tab navigation header and the expanded dropdown arrow for France highlighted in green boxes.

After you select a server location, ExpressVPN connects to it automatically. If you are already connected to the VPN, a notification will warn you that your connection will briefly drop while switching locations. Select Continue to proceed.ExpressVPN "Changing Location?" dialog prompt displaying disconnection warning with Cancel and Continue options.

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Switch to a different VPN protocol

Important: Disconnect from the VPN before switching to another protocol.

VPN protocols determine how your device connects to a VPN server. ExpressVPN recommends using Automatic, the default option that selects the most suitable protocol for your network. But if you experience slow connection speeds, switching to a different protocol may help improve performance.

To use a different VPN protocol:

  1. On the main dashboard, click Protocol.ExpressVPN main dashboard with the "VPN Protocol" selection card highlighted.
  2. Select your preferred protocol. The new setting will take effect the next time you connect to a VPN server.ExpressVPN "VPN Protocol" selection screen displaying Automatic (recommended) as the selected option alongside protocol choices.

Tip: Learn more about the different VPN protocols and how they operate.

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Enable or disable the Internet Kill Switch

ExpressVPN’s Internet Kill Switch blocks your internet traffic if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This helps prevent your data from being exposed through an unencrypted connection. The feature is enabled by default.

To disable the feature:

  1. Click on the Profile tab.ExpressVPN main dashboard with Austria selected, with the "Profile" bottom navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  2. Toggle the Internet Kill Switch on/off.ExpressVPN Profile settings screen, with the "Internet Kill Switch" toggle setting highlighted in a green box.

Block connections without VPN

On Googlebook, you can also enable an advanced kill switch option through Android’s built-in settings, called Block connections without VPN, that blocks all network traffic unless the VPN is connected. ExpressVPN supports this feature on Android 8.0 and later.

To enable it:

  1. Click on the Profile tab.ExpressVPN main dashboard with Austria selected, with the "Profile" bottom navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click the “Block connections without VPN” message.ExpressVPN Profile settings screen, with the warning box for Android local network blocking highlighted in a green box.
  3. Select ANDROID SETTINGS in the pop-up.ExpressVPN "Block All Non-VPN Traffic" dialog modal, with the "ANDROID SETTINGS" button highlighted in a green box.
  4. Click on the settings Settings icon. icon next to ExpressVPN.Android VPN system settings menu showing ExpressVPN, with the settings gear icon highlighted in a green box.
  5. Toggle Always-on VPN on, and then toggle the switch next to Block connections without VPN to enable it.

Note: The Always-On VPN option allows your Googlebook to automatically reconnect to the VPN whenever your device comes online. You have to enable this option to turn the advanced kill switch on.Android ExpressVPN system settings page displaying enabled toggles for "Always-on VPN" and "Block connections without VPN".

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Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites

ExpressVPN’s advanced protection features let you block ads, trackers, harmful sites, and adult content. They prevent apps and websites you visit from communicating with third parties on this open-source blocklist. By default, these features are disabled.

To enable them:

  1. On the VPN tab, click the Ad & Tracker Blocker widget.ExpressVPN main dashboard with Austria selected, with the "Disabled: Ad & Tracker Blocker" settings card highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click Advanced Protection.ExpressVPN Add-ons page, with the "Advanced Protection" option highlighted in a green box.
  3. Toggle on or off the desired blockers.ExpressVPN Advanced Protection settings screen, with enabled toggles for blocking ads, malicious sites, trackers, and adult sites highlighted in a green box.
  4. If you are already connected to the VPN, you will be prompted to reconnect to apply the changes. Click Continue to proceed.ExpressVPN "Apply Settings?" reconnect confirmation modal, with the "CONTINUE" button highlighted in a green box.

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Use split tunneling

ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature lets you choose which apps use the VPN connection and which connect directly to the internet. This gives you more control over how your apps handle internet traffic.

Note: Split tunneling will not work if Block connections without VPN is enabled in your Android system settings.

To use the split tunneling feature:

  1. Click the Profile tab.ExpressVPN main dashboard with Austria selected, with the "Profile" bottom navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  2. Select Split Tunneling.ExpressVPN Profile settings list, with the "Split Tunneling" option highlighted in a green box.

You will see 3 split tunneling options:

  • All apps use the VPN
  • Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN
  • Only allow selected apps to use the VPNExpressVPN Split Tunneling configuration screen displaying options for routing application traffic through the VPN, with a warning box regarding Android settings.
Note: If you change split tunneling settings while connected to the VPN, the changes will take effect the next time you connect.

  1. Select Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN.ExpressVPN Split Tunneling settings screen, highlighting the "Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN" option in a green box.
  2. A list of apps installed on your device will appear. Click the plus icon next to each app you want to exclude from the VPN. The chosen apps will appear in the Selected Apps list.ExpressVPN Split Tunneling app list, with the plus icon button to exclude Google Chrome highlighted in a green box.
  3. Once you have selected your apps, exit the settings. When ExpressVPN is connected, the selected apps will access the internet without using the VPN.

To remove an app from the rule, simply click the minus icon next to the app in the Selected Apps list.ExpressVPN Split Tunneling screen showing Google Chrome listed under "Selected Apps", with the minus icon button to remove it highlighted in a green box.

  1. Click Only allow selected apps to use the VPN.ExpressVPN Split Tunneling settings screen, with the "Only allow selected apps to use the VPN" option highlighted in a green box.
  2. A list of apps installed on your device will appear. Click the plus icon next to each app you want to include. The selected apps will appear in the Selected Apps list.ExpressVPN Split Tunneling app list, with the plus icon button to include Google Play Store highlighted in a green box.
  3. Once you have selected your apps, exit the split tunneling settings. When ExpressVPN is connected, only the selected apps will use the VPN connection.

To remove an app from the rule, under Selected Apps, click the minus icon next to the app you want to remove.ExpressVPN Split Tunneling screen showing Google Play Store under "Selected Apps", with the minus icon button to remove it highlighted in a green box.

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Set up auto-connect

To configure your auto-connect settings:

  1. On the VPN tab, click the Auto-connect card.ExpressVPN main dashboard with Austria selected, with the Auto-connect settings card highlighted in a green box.

You will see 2 options:

  • When Android starts up
  • When joining networks not listed as trusted

When Android starts up

To connect to the VPN automatically when your Googlebook device starts up, turn on When Android starts up.ExpressVPN Auto-connect settings screen, with the "When Android starts up" toggle setting highlighted in a green box.

When joining networks not listed as trusted

To connect to the VPN automatically when you join an untrusted Wi-Fi network or use mobile data:

  1. Click When joining networks not listed as trusted on.ExpressVPN Auto-connect settings screen, with the "When joining networks not listed as trusted" setting highlighted in a green box.
  2. ExpressVPN needs permission to detect untrusted Wi-Fi networks even when the app is closed or running in the background. Click OK to continue.ExpressVPN "Permissions Required" location setup screen, with the "OK" action button highlighted in a green box.
  3. In the pop-up window, click OK.ExpressVPN "Permissions Required" confirmation popup dialog, with the "OK" button highlighted in a green box.
  4. Choose your preferred location accuracy level.System location permission prompt for ExpressVPN, with the "While using the app" selection button highlighted in a green box.
  5. Click OK.ExpressVPN "Permissions Required" Android location permission popup, with the "OK" button highlighted in a green box.
  6. Select Allow all the time.Android system "Location permission" settings page for ExpressVPN, with the "Allow all the time" option highlighted in a green box.
  7. Click the back arrow in the top-left corner to return to the ExpressVPN app.Android system "Location permission" settings page for ExpressVPN, with the top-left back arrow navigation button highlighted in a green box.

A list of Current Networks will appear, showing the networks your device is connected to. By default, these networks are marked as Untrusted.ExpressVPN Auto-connect settings page, with the "Untrusted" status tag next to the current Wi-Fi network highlighted in a green box.

To add a network to your Trusted Networks list, click the plusAdd icon. icon next to the network you want to mark as trusted.ExpressVPN Auto-connect settings page, with the plus icon button to mark the current Wi-Fi network as trusted highlighted in a green box.

To remove a network from your Trusted Networks list, click the minus Remove icon. icon next to the network.ExpressVPN Auto-connect settings page showing a trusted Wi-Fi network, with the minus icon button to remove it from trusted networks highlighted in a green box.

To disconnect from the VPN automatically when you join a trusted network, turn on Disconnect when joining a trusted network.ExpressVPN Auto-connect settings page, with the "Disconnect when joining a trusted network" toggle setting highlighted in a green box.

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Use Secure Device Assistant

Secure Device Assistant helps you check whether your Googlebook device is fully protected. To run a check:

  1. On the VPN tab, click the Secure Device Assistant card. ExpressVPN main dashboard, with the "Secure Device Assistant" status card highlighted in a green box.
  2. You will see the following:
  • Latest Android Version: Checks whether your device is running the latest Android version.
  • Screen Lock Enabled: Checks whether your screen is protected by a PIN, password, pattern, or biometric authentication.
  • Biometric Security Enabled: Checks whether biometric authentication, such as facial or fingerprint recognition, is enabled.
  • No Rooted Device: Checks whether your device is rooted, which can increase its exposure to security threats.
  • Disk Encryption: Checks whether your device’s stored data is protected by built-in encryption.ExpressVPN "Secure Device Assistant" checklist screen displaying device security recommendations.

If there are any security improvements to make, follow the on-screen instructions or prompts to make the necessary changes.

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Run a speed test

ExpressVPN lets you test your connection’s performance on your Googlebook while connected to a VPN server. The speed test measures download and upload speeds, latency (in milliseconds), jitter, and packet loss.

To measure your speed:

  1. Select the Speed Test tab.ExpressVPN main dashboard with Austria selected, with the "Speed Test" bottom navigation tab highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click the Play button to initiate the test.ExpressVPN Speed Test screen before running a test, with the central play button and "Tap to start the speed test" prompt highlighted in a green box.
  3. Check your results.ExpressVPN Speed Test screen showing completed test results, with download speed, upload speed, latency, jitter, and packet loss highlighted in a green box.

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Change app appearance

You can customize the ExpressVPN app’s appearance on your Googlebook, including its theme and app icon style.

To change your theme and app icon:

  1. On the VPN tab, click the Moon icon in the top-right corner.ExpressVPN main dashboard showing disconnected status, with the theme toggle moon icon in the upper-right corner highlighted in a green box.
  2. To change:
  • App theme: Select your preferred theme under Color scheme. The app’s appearance will update immediately. Note that when System is selected, the ExpressVPN app automatically follows your Android device’s theme settings.ExpressVPN Appearance settings screen, with the "Color scheme" header highlighted in a green box.
  • App icon: Select your preferred icon under App icon. The app’s appearance will update immediately.ExpressVPN Appearance settings screen, with the "App icon" header highlighted in a green box.

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Change languages

The ExpressVPN Googlebook app is available in 18 languages, including:

  • Danish
  • German
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Dutch
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Finnish
  • Swedish
  • Turkish
  • Russian
  • Thai
  • Korean
  • Japanese

To change the app’s language settings:

  1. Open Settings.Googlebook desktop environment desktop screen with app shortcuts, with the Settings application icon highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click Apps and select ExpressVPN from the list .Android system Settings page under the "Apps" category, with ExpressVPN highlighted in a green box under Recently opened apps.
  3. Select Language.Android App info settings page for ExpressVPN, with the "Language" preference option highlighted in a green box.
  4. Choose your preferred language.Android App language selection settings screen, with Dansk highlighted in a green box under All languages.

The ExpressVPN app will switch to your selected language the next time you open it.

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Access support articles in the app

You can find support articles directly in the ExpressVPN app. They cover topics such as using the app, troubleshooting issues, and managing your account.

To access these articles:

  1. Open the Help tab.
  2. Select a category to browse the available support articles.

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Add the ExpressVPN app widget

ExpressVPN lets you add widgets to your home screen for quick access.

To add a widget:

  1. On your Googlebook’s home screen, right-click and select Browse Widgets.Googlebook desktop contextual context menu popup, with the "Browse widgets" menu option highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click ExpressVPN and select the widget.Googlebook Widgets picker menu, with the ExpressVPN option in the list and the ExpressVPN 5x1 home screen widget preview highlighted in green boxes.

The widget is now on your home screen, and you can use it to connect to or disconnect from the VPN without opening the ExpressVPN app.Googlebook home screen displaying a placed ExpressVPN widget in "Not Connected" state with Austria selected, highlighted in a green box.

To connect or disconnect from the VPN, click the power button. Googlebook home screen ExpressVPN widget in "Connected" state, with the power connection button highlighted in a green box.

To change VPN location, click on the location flag.Googlebook home screen ExpressVPN widget in "Connected" state, with the location info area showing Austria highlighted in a green box.

To remove the widget from your home screen, right click on the widget and select Remove.Googlebook home screen ExpressVPN widget in edit mode, with the "Remove" button above the widget highlighted in a green box.

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View Protection Summary

Protection Summary appears on the ExpressVPN app home screen and gives you an overview of your VPN usage.

Important: Your connection information in Protection Summary is completely private. It is stored only on your device and never sent to ExpressVPN.

To turn Protection Summary on or off:

  1. On the VPN tab, click the Protection Summary Time Protected card.ExpressVPN main dashboard with Austria selected, with the "Time Protected" metric card highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click the Protection Summary toggle to turn it on or off.ExpressVPN "Protection Summary" settings page, with the feature toggle highlighted in a green box.

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Uninstall the app

To uninstall ExpressVPN from your Googlebook device:

  1. Open Settings.Googlebook desktop environment screen with app icons, with the Settings application shortcut highlighted in a green box.
  2. Click Apps and select ExpressVPN from the list .Googlebook system Settings page under "Apps", with ExpressVPN highlighted in a green box under Recently opened apps.
  3. Click Uninstall.Googlebook App info settings page for ExpressVPN, with the "Uninstall" action button highlighted in a green box.

Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall ExpressVPN from your Googlebook.

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

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