Setting up a VPN on iPhone is very simple if you don’t already have a VPN subscription on another platform. If you already have a VPN on your PC or Mac, the procedure will sometimes be a little more complex, but you will avoid having to pay for a new subscription, because, it is not always known, a VPN subscription usually covers several devices. .
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Apple has a very good reputation for protecting its users’ data. However, it cannot work miracles: there are situations in which it is possible to identify you via your IPs — essentially in the places of Wireless free. To navigate securely wherever you are, a vpn imposes itself. In addition, such a service may provide access to the services of streaming from foreign countries to the one where one resides at a given time.
What is the use of a VPN for iPhone?
The answer to this question is twofold.
The problem with free Wi-Fi
First, if you use your device for business purposes, you may be accessing confidential data. It would not be good if such information could be spied easily.
The concern comes when you move and connect to hotspots (access points) Public Wi-Fi such as those found in airports, some cafes or hotels. It is relatively easy for a well-equipped hacker to intercept the waves radio from Wireless. However, in order to make this access easier, such places often simplify the Wi-Fi encryption key (WPA2), with an expression such as “internet-cafe”, “hotelwifi”…
In such a context, a hacker can therefore easily decipher the communications occurring in the surrounding area. Also, some hackers offer Wi-Fi access names that look like a real name. An example: you want to connect to the Wi-Fi of the LaPizza restaurant and see a second engaging option “LaPizza – top debit » whereas this one could have been created by a hacker living nearby.
As soon as you use a VPN on your iPhone, your connection is encrypted and nothing will be accessible to an indiscreet person. A hacker could only intercept an indistinct digital mush.
Access to restricted services
If you value accessing the services of streaming such as netflixDisney+ or Amazon Prime from your iPhone or iPada VPN can give you access to a vast catalog of programs.
From France or elsewhere, it will be possible to access content from netflix US – by simulating a connection from America – whereas these are normally forbidden to access.
Conversely, when you are in the USA, you can watch series available on Netflix France. And if you are temporarily residing in a country or location where access to WhatsApp Where Facebook is restricted, you can simulate a presence in another place.
Is a VPN service integrated into the iPhone?
There is no VPN service offered as standard on the iPhone. Apple has set up a service called Private Relay for iCloud+ subscribers and it hides the IP addresses users – only if browsing is done in Safari. However, this service does not hide the location from which one connects and therefore, it is not possible with Private Relay to access restricted streaming content.
What are the criteria to watch out for in a VPN for iPhone?
Three criteria seem particularly essential:
- the speed : a vpn encrypts the data and can therefore slow down the connection.
- number of servers available in many different countries. For example, ExpressVPN: offers over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. NordVPN manages more than 5,100 servers in 59 countries, Surfshark has 3,200 servers in 65 countries. Private Internet Access is the most generous in the matter : it offers more than 30,000 servers in 78 countries.
- the design of the app: has it been designed to work easily on an iPhone screen and an iPad?
It’s usually possible to use iPhone VPN plans for free for a few days, so you can get a feel for how each one works before signing up.
Connection on multiple devices
If you already have a VPN on your pc or mac, you probably don’t have to buy a specific app for your iPhone. Indeed, a large number of VPNs guarantee you the possibility of connecting several different devices. Some examples :
- ExpressVPN subscription covers 5 devices;
- the NordNet subscription is valid on 6 devices;
- Hide.me’s covers 10 devices.
If you have already installed a VPN on your computerso it is likely that this service can work on your iPhone.
Can a free VPN be used?
Free VPNs usually have various limitations: volume reduced data, limited number of substitute IPs and therefore impossibility of accessing streaming services. The main concern comes from the display of many advertisements and sometimes the monitoring of your activity in order to monetize it with advertisers.
How to Set Up a VPN for iPhone
Two situations can arise:
You are not already subscribed to a VPN on computer
Then simply download a VPN app from the App store. All settings are then made by theapplication so you don’t have to configure anything. In addition, it is generally not necessary to register with an e-mail address and a password to benefit from the services of the VPN, your Apple ID does the trick.
You already have a VPN on PC or Mac
In this case, you need to inform your iPhone or iPad of your VPN settings. The easiest way is to download the app on the iPhone from the App Store and identify yourself with your name and password. The settings are then made automatically by the app.
If this operation does not work or even if you do not want to download the app on your smartphone – only to benefit from the VPN service – here is what to do:
- In the settings, choose General then VPN and device management. Then choose vpn.
- Choose Add a VPN configuration.
- For the Type, IKEv2 is generally adequate. Otherwise, you should check with your provider what type of encryption is used. The ones that iOS takes into account are IKEv2, IPSec and L2TP.
- For the Descriptionenter the name of your VPN.
- For the Server, enter the server address as indicated on your VPN provider’s website. In the example reproduced in the visual below, we are using hide.me and the server address that has been communicated to us is free-unlimited.hideservers.net. Your VPN provider should provide you with such an address.
- For’Remote IDenter the server ID.
- Then enter your username and your Password.
Once this setting is made, the name of the VPN appears on the iPhone. All that remains is to connect this VPN.
Avoid using VPN when not needed
It’s best to only connect your VPN on iPhone when it’s useful — such as when you’re using public Wi-Fi or in any situation where your communication security isn’t absolutely safe — to avoid any loss of performance. Just go to Settings, choose vpn (the 6and option from the top) and then connect it from the Status mention.
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