This wikiHow teaches you how to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your computer or smartphone. To configure a VPN, download and sign in to the VPN app, or use the VPN host information to set up a VPN connection on your smartphone or computer. Most VPNs are not free and require you to pay for a subscription to connect.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Setting up a VPN App
Step 1. Make sure you have a VPN subscription
Most VPN services are not free, and almost all VPNs that allow you to download apps are paid services.
Step 2. Download the VPN software
Visit the "Downloads" page on the VPN service site, select an operating system if necessary, then click the link Download.
Step 3. Install and open the VPN
Install the VPN by double-clicking the installation file you downloaded and following the instructions given. When the installation is complete, open the VPN by double-clicking the app icon.
Step 4. Log in to your account
Type in the email address (or username) and password you used when you signed up for the VPN service.
Step 5. Select a location if necessary
If the VPN service provides the option to select a specific server based on location, select the tab Folder or Servers and click your location to do it.
Step 6. Connect to the VPN
Do this by clicking the " Connect " button in the VPN window. The VPN will attempt to connect to the selected server (or, if you do not select a server, it will search for the most suitable server for your network).
After a few minutes, the VPN will connect
Step 7. Use the app provided by the VPN service on the mobile device
Most popular VPN services (such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN) provide mobile apps for Android and iPhone users:
- Download the app on the Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iPhone).
- Run the app, then log in using your VPN account information.
- Give permission to whatever the VPN asks for.
- Select the server if necessary / possible, then touch the " Connect " button.
Method 2 of 5: Adding a VPN Connection on Windows
Step 1. Go to Start
Do this by clicking on the Windows logo in the lower-left corner.
Step 2. Open Settings
Click the gear icon at the bottom left of the Start window.
Step 3. Click Network & Internet
This option is in the middle of the Settings window.
Step 4. Click on the VPN tab located to the left of Network & Internet
Step 5. Click Add a VPN connection at the top of the page
This will open the VPN form.
If you want to change an existing VPN configuration, click the name of the VPN you want to edit, click Advanced options, then click Edit in the middle of the page.
Step 6. Configure the VPN information
Enter or edit the information below:
- VPN provider - Click this drop-down box, then select the desired VPN name.
- Connection name - Add the VPN name on the computer.
- Server name or address - Enter or edit the VPN server address.
- VPN type - Enter or edit the connection type.
- Type of sign-in info - Select a new login type (eg Password) if necessary.
- User name (optional) - If necessary, edit the username used to log into the VPN.
- Password (optional) - If necessary, edit the password used to log into the VPN.
Step 7. Click Save at the bottom of the page
The changes you make will be saved in the VPN and applied.
Method 3 of 5: Adding a VPN Connection on Mac
Step 1. Open Apple menu
Do this by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 2. Click System Preferences… located at the top of Apple's drop-down menu
Step 3. Click Network
It's a purple globe-shaped icon in the middle of the System Preferences page. The Network pop-up window will open.
Step 4. Click at the bottom of the left column of options
A drop-down menu will be displayed.
If you want to edit an existing configuration, click the connection name in the left window and skip the next step
Step 5. Click VPN in the drop-down menu
A VPN setup form will open on the right side of the window.
Step 6. Configure the VPN
Enter or edit the settings below:
- Configuration - Click the drop-down box at the top of the window, then select another configuration type (for example Default) in the drop-down menu.
- Server Address - Enter or edit the server address.
- Account Name - Enter or edit the name of the account used for the VPN. This is usually the email address used to register with the VPN.
Step 7. Click Authentication Settings… below the Account Name text field
Step 8. Configure the authentication settings
Edit the options below:
- User Authentication - Check the box to the left of the authentication option you selected (for example Password), then type the answer.
- Machine Authentication - Select the desired VPN machine authentication option.
Step 9. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the Authentication Settings window.
Step 10. Click Apply
The VPN settings you make will be saved and applied to your connection.
Method 4 of 5: Adding VPN Connection on iPhone
Step 1. Open Settings
on iPhone.
Tap the Settings icon, which is a gray box with a gear in it.
Step 2. Scroll down the screen and touch General
This option is at the top of the Settings page.
Step 3. Scroll down the screen and tap VPN located at the bottom of the General page
Step 4. Touch Add VPN Configuration…
This option is on the VPN page under VPN configuration at the very bottom.
- If there is no VPN configuration, this option is placed at the top of the screen.
- If you want to edit an existing VPN option, tap to the right of the option, then tap Edit in the top right corner.
Step 5. Configure the VPN information
Add or change the following information (you may see more fields depending on the connection type):
- Type - Select the desired type of VPN connection (eg IPsec).
- Server - Enter or edit the address of the server used to connect to the VPN.
- User Authentication - Touch this option, and select Username or Certificate to change the authentication method.
- Username or Certificate - Enter or change the username or certificate used to log into the VPN service.
- Password - Enter or change the account password for the VPN subscription. This password is used to log into the VPN service you are using.
Step 6. Tap Done in the top right corner
Your changes will be saved and the VPN will be created (or updated).
Method 5 of 5: Adding a VPN Connection on Android
Step 1. Open Settings on Android device
Swipe down from the top of the device screen, then tap the gear-shaped Settings icon
in the upper right corner of the displayed drop-down menu.
On some Android devices, you have to swipe down on the screen with two fingers to bring up the gear-shaped Settings icon
Step 2. Touch Network & Internet
This option is at the top of the Settings page.
- On some Android devices, you must touch More which is under the "Wireless & Network" heading.
- On the Samsung Galaxy, touch Connections at the top of the Settings menu.
Step 3. Touch VPN located on the Network & Internet page
On Samsung Galaxy, first touch More connection settings at the bottom of the page for you to touch VPN.
Step 4. Touch in the top right corner
The VPN configuration menu will open.
- On the Samsung Galaxy, touch ADD VPN in the top right corner.
- If you want to edit an existing VPN configuration, tap the gear icon to the right of the VPN name.
Step 5. Configure the VPN
Enter or edit the information below:
- Name - Enter or change the VPN name.
- Connection type - Touch this option and select the desired new connection type (for example PPTP).
- Server address - Enter or change the VPN server address.
- Username - Enter or change the username. This information is used to log in to the VPN service.
- Password - Enter or change the password. This information is used to log in to the VPN service.
Step 6. Touch Save which is in the lower right corner
The changes you make will be saved and your VPN will be created or updated.
