How to set up ExpressVPN on iOS 15 and above (iPhone, iPad, and iPod)

This tutorial will show you how to set up the ExpressVPN app on iOS 15 and above.

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

Download the VPN app

1. Go to the App Store and search for ExpressVPN.
2. Tap Get or the Cloud icon.
3. The ExpressVPN app will be downloaded to your phone.

If you do not see the ExpressVPN app in your App Store, try changing your App Store country.

After the app has finished downloading, tap OPEN to launch the ExpressVPN app.

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

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Set up the VPN app

1. When you launch the app, it first asks you to accept the ExpressVPN Terms of Service (ToS) and choose what level of data you share. Select your preference to continue.
2. Tap Sign In on the next screen.
3. 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 App Store: Enter the email address and password or activation code associated with your ExpressVPN account. Tap Sign In.
   • If you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription from the App Store Store: Tap restore your App Store subscription.
4. Tap Sign in to begin setting up the app.
5. Tap Continue.
6. You will see a message saying “ExpressVPN” Would Like to Add VPN Configurations. Tap Allow otherwise the configuration will fail.
   • You may need to enter your device passcode to continue.
7. The app will ask you if you want to enable notifications. Select your preference to proceed.

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. On the home screen, tap . By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the optimal experience for you, called Fastest Location.
2. Once you see the Protected message below the button, you can begin browsing with added privacy and security.

Note: The number of devices you can connect to the VPN at the same time depends on the subscription tier you chose at checkout:

• Basic: 10 devices at the same time.
• Advanced: 12 devices at the same time.
• Pro: 14 devices at the same time.

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

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from a VPN server location:

1. Tap while the VPN is on.
2. You will know you are disconnected when the screen says Not Protected.

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

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Connect to a different VPN server location

To choose a different server location:

1. Tap the Change widget to see more server locations.
2. You will see a list of server locations.
   The list of VPN locations features two tabs: RECOMMENDED and ALL LOCATIONS.
   The RECOMMENDED tab includes three sections:
   • Fastest Servers: Lists up to five of the fastest servers based on your current location.
   • Recent Locations: Shows up to five of the most recent server locations you connected to.
   • Most Popular in Your Country: Lists the server locations most often used by other ExpressVPN users in your country.
     The ALL LOCATIONS tab lists VPN server locations by region.
     You can expand and collpase the lists by tapping and . You can display server locations from only one region (Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, or Middle East and Africa) and also sort locations by alphabetical order or the number of endpoints.
3. Once you choose a location, ExpressVPN will automatically connect you to it.
   

Note: When you change locations while connected to the VPN, a notification will pop up letting you know the VPN will briefly disconnect while it connects to the new server location. Tap Connect to proceed.

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

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Pause the VPN connection

You can pause an active VPN connection and have it automatically resume after a set time.

Note: The Pause feature is gradually rolling out and may not be available to all users. You must be connected to a VPN server to use this feature.

To pause an active VPN connection:

1. Tap the stopwatch icon in the top left.
2. Choose a pause interval.
3. If you have paused the VPN successfully, you will see Paused and a countdown timer below the power button.

The VPN connection will automatically resume when the countdown reaches zero.

To resume the VPN connection:

1. Tap the stopwatch icon in the top left.
2. Tap Reconnect.

If you have resumed the VPN successfully, you will see Protected below the power button.

To reset or reduce the time the VPN is paused for:

1. Tap the stopwatch icon.
2. Select a new pause interval. This automatically closes the Pause menu and updates the pause timer.

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 IP addresses do not use the VPN when you are connected to ExpressVPN.

To set up split-tunneling:

1. Tap Profile.
2. Tap Split Tunneling.
3. Toggle Enable Split Tunneling on.
4. Tap Add IP address and enter the IP address you want to bypass the VPN tunnel.
5. Tap Ok in the “Apply changes” pop-up.
6. Repeat for any additional IP addresses you want to add.
7. Connect or reconnect to ExpressVPN for the changes to apply.

Note: Excluding an IP address from the VPN will not work reliably for large websites. This is because these services do not use a single fixed IP address. The IP address of the same website can be different every time you look it up, and the same IP address can be shared by multiple unrelated websites. As a result, the split tunneling rule may apply to websites you did not intend to exclude from the VPN.

Warning: Whitelisting public IPs (e.g., social networks) poses a privacy risk, as shared public IP infrastructure can expose your data to unrelated sites. Only whitelist private IPs you trust.

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 protocol:

1. On the VPN tab, tap Protocol.
2. Tap your desired VPN protocol. When you next connect to a server location, ExpressVPN will use the selected protocol to establish the connection.

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

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Use the speed test

The in-app speed test measures the speed of your selected VPN server location. It checks relevant metrics like download, upload, latency, jitter, and packet loss.

To run a speed test:

1. Tap Speed Test.
2. Tap the play button to start the speed test.
3. It may take up to a few minutes for the speed test to finish and display the results.

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

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Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites

You can block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content using the advanced protection features within the ExpressVPN app. This stops the apps and websites you visit on your device from communicating with third parties on our open-source blocklists. Advanced protection features are disabled by default.

To enable them:

1. Tap Add-ons.
2. Under Advanced VPN Protection, toggle the settings on/off as you see fit. Your changes will update automatically.

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

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Customize the Internet Kill Switch

The Internet Kill Switch is a security feature that blocks internet access if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects to prevent unencrypted data leaks. On iOS, you can choose between Standard and Advanced options.

To change the kill switch:

1. Tap Profile.
2. Tap Internet Kill Switch.
3. Choose whether to use the Standard Kill Switch or Advanced Kill Switch.

Learn more in our detailed guide on how to use the Internet Kill Switch on iOS.

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

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View Time Protected summary

The Time Protected summary is a part of the ExpressVPN app home screen that provides an overview of your app use. It tells you how long you have been protected over the week.

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

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Check Secure Device Assistant

Secure Device Assistant is a feature that lets you quickly check if your iOS device is fully protected. To use it:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the Secure Device Assistant widget.
2. Check if you need to make any security improvements. On the Secure Device Assistant tab, you will see the following:

• Latest iOS Version: Shows if you are running the latest version of iOS to keep your device protected against known vulnerabilities.
• Passcode Enabled: Checks if your device is secured with a passcode, adding an extra layer of protection alongside Face ID or Touch ID.
• Device Encryption: Verifies that your device storage is encrypted to help protect your data from unauthorized access.
• Biometric Security Enabled: Confirms that Face ID or Touch ID is enabled for quick and secure authentication.
• No Jailbroken Device: Checks if your device has been jailbroken, which can increase exposure to security risks.

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

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Network Insights

Network Insights shows your network connection details in real time. You can see your upload and download speeds, how much data the VPN protects, and your VPN connection status.

By default, Network Insights is disabled. To enable Network Insights:

1. Tap the Profile tab.
2. Tap Network Insights. You may need to scroll down to find it.
3. Tap Enable Network Insights to toggle on.

If you swipe down on your iOS device, you can see this information in your Notification Centre. You can also see it on your screen if you lock your device.

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 color palette icon in the top right-hand corner.
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 color palette 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 change immediately.

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

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Try Siri commands

You can use Siri voice commands to connect to and disconnect from the VPN using your most recent server location.

To connect to the VPN using your most recent server location, say the command, “Hey Siri, turn on ExpressVPN”.

To disconnect from the VPN, say the command, “Hey Siri, turn off ExpressVPN”.

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 space on the Home Screen until the app icons move.
2. Tap Edit in the top-left corner of your screen.
3. Tap Add Widget.
4. In the search bar, type ExpressVPN.
5. Tap Add Widget.
6. Tap Done in the top right-hand corner of your 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 open the ExpressVPN app, tap the widget.

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. To access these articles:

1. Tap Help.
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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Uninstall the app

To remove ExpressVPN from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod:

1. Tap and hold the ExpressVPN app until the app icons move.
2. Tap Delete App.
3. Tap Delete to remove the app.

The app is now deleted from your device.

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

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