How To Use A VPN On Android: A Complete Guide

If you want to use a VPN service in order to keep your online presence safe but are not sure how to use it, read this guide completely. Here, our article is all about how to use a VPN on Android safely and securely.
VPN is one of the great things that happened to the tech industry ever. It helps to keep our online activity private by securing the internet connection using the encryption method. A VPN service hides out our presence over the network no matter what you are doing on the device.
So, keep reading the article to find out the right way to use a VPN on Android. So, let’s go to take a closer look at how to connect and use a VPN on Android.
How to Use A VPN on Android?
Method 1: Using VPN App on Android
This is the most hassle-free way to use a VPN. You just need to install a secure VPN app in your Android phone and connect it to the server to use it. Below are the steps to do so:
Step 1: Install VPN on Your Phone
The first step towards using a VPN app on an Android device is installing it on your system. So, pick up the best VPN for Android according to your usage and then search for it on the Google Play Store.
For this, follow the below instructions:
- Open the Google Play Store on the phone.
- Go to the search box and enter the name of the VPN app.
- Now, you can see the app in the list. Tap on the VPN app you searched for in the Play Store.
Note: [Before installing the app, make sure to check the system requirements.]
- If your system meets all requirements, tap on Install Now, it will take some time to download and install the VPN app on your Android phone.
Once the app is successfully installed on your phone, it’s time to move to the next step.
Step 2: Sign Up for the VPN Service Account
After installing the VPN, you need to sign up on the app and pay for the service. If you don’t want to pay for the service at this moment, you can skip the signup or log-in step and give it a try as a trial version.
However, in the trial version, you can’t enjoy all the features as they are only available for premium users. To take leverage of all features, you need to log in and pay for the premium package. For this, you need to do the following:
- If you already have an account on the app, enter the credentials and log in to the account.
- Or, if you don’t have an account on the VPN app, create a new account. To create a new account, enter the email address and a strong password.
- After logging in to the account, you will be asked to purchase a plan. Choose a plan as per your requirements.
- Now, add the payment method. The payment method may vary with different VPN services. Mostly, they allow you to make payments through a debit card, credit card, or PayPal.
After making the payment, you are all set to enjoy the premium features. But before this, you need to connect to the VPN server. Don’t know how to do this? Check out the process in the next step.
Step 3: Connect to the Server
The purpose of a VPN app is to secure your connection by providing you with a secure and anonymous server connection. Being said that, here is the third step for how to use a VPN on your Android phone.
Here, we need to connect to the new server using the VPN app. Most VPN apps give a Connect button to start using the VPN service on Android. So, tap on the Connect button to connect to the nearest and fastest server.
You can also connect to the VPN server of a specific location. For this, you need to select a Country and the place. You can select it from the list of countries provided in the VPN app.
Apart from this, you can also select the different options to connect to the server, such as Faster server, Nearest server, and Preferred server.
Step 4: Manage Features and Settings
The last step in order to use a VPN service on Android is managing the settings & features of the app. In the settings section, you will find more options to use the VPN connection in a more efficient and preferred way.
The different features and settings will allow you to enjoy the service to the fullest. Also, it provides many other additional options that will benefit the app.
Most Android VPN apps give you options o VPN Kill Switch, Network Lock, Android native Kill Switch, Auto-Connect, block ads, malware tacker-cleaner, etc. In the settings section of the VPN app, you will also find the option to select your language and manage the app’s appearance.
You may also get the option to select the VPN protocol, such as L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, UDP & TCP. Well, this is not the end. A good Android VPN service comes with even more advanced settings.
By doing all these, you will successfully use a VPN on Android devices.
Method 2: Manual Method to Use Android In-built VPN Service
Well, many users aren’t aware of the Android in-built VPN service. Android phones come with an in-built VPN client for the protocols L2TP, PTTP, & IPsec. You just need to enable the service in order to use it.
Follow the mentioned below steps to do so:
- Open your Android Settings app.
- Next, select Connection & Sharing.
- Click on VPN and tap on the “+” icon at the top-right corner.
- Now, fill in your administrator’s details.
- Tap on Save.
Our Recommendation for the Right VPN for Android
There are so many VPN apps available for Android devices. But if you will ask us to recommend one, then SurfShark comes in the top spot.
Why??? It is because SurfShark has comparatively more security options and features, which are also within budget. It is one of the most cost-effective VPNs with the best service. With this VPN service, you will never face any security or internet speed issues.
So, all in all, it is definitely one of the best VPN apps for an Android device.
Conclusion
Now, I hope by now you have enough idea of how to use a VPN app on Android. I have shown you all the step-by-step instructions needed to set up and connect to a VPN app on your Android phone.
If you still have any queries, then feel free to ask us on Facebook or Twitter.
James Leak is a technology expert and lives in New York. Previously, he was working on Symbian OS and was trying to solve many issues related to it. From childhood, he was very much interested in technology field and loves to write blogs related to Android and other OS. So he maintained that and currently, James is working for androiddata-recovery.com where he contribute several articles about errors/issues or data loss situation related to Android. He keeps daily updates on news or rumors or what is happening in this new technology world. Apart from blogging, he loves to travel, play games and reading books.