VPNs can help you cope with network drops or interruptions, so you should generally enjoy uninterrupted security and privacy protection when using them. However, for those rare occasions when something goes wrong with your account status, app configuration, or network settings, we’ve prepared quite a few insider tips to help you reconnect to your VPN on your iOS device.
And if you’re still wondering what is VPN on iPhone, it’s about time you join the fun crowd! A VPN protects you from the unsafe aspects of the internet by locking down your connection to the internet. It creates a secure digital tunnel and encrypts all the data that moves between your device and the internet. A VPN can help you defend against hackers and snoopers. With a VPN, you can also change your location, hide your IP, and conceal your identity on the internet.
Here are our troubleshooting tips, each requiring just a few quick clicks (even for slightly older iPhones or iPads!). After each action, check if the connection has been restored by opening the VPN app and retry connecting before you move on to the next tip.
Check the phone
● Check the signal: Make sure Wi-Fi or cellular data is working and that your phone has an active internet connection. Check it via the iPhone Control Center, or open your browser and try to visit a website.
● Toggle Airplane mode: Switch airplane mode off, then back on to force all the wireless protocols (Wi-Fi and cellular data) to stop, then refresh all the network connections when you switch connectivity back on.
● Reset network settings: If toggling the Airplane mode doesn’t work, move directly to the phone’s network settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings to force your device to refresh the network settings.
● Restart your Wi-Fi router to forcibly refresh your phone network settings: Switch it off at the main wall power switch and wait for 30-60 seconds before switching it back on. This will force your phone to refresh its network connections.
● Restart the phone: Just as computers can end processes and come back fresh and bright after a restart, your phone might benefit from powering down and restarting. If need be, force a restart.
Check the VPN app
● Update, delete, or re-install: Open the VPN app and check if you have the latest version. Apps that originate from the App Store automatically update as soon as a new version becomes available. However, if your phone is getting older, there is a scant possibility that some of your apps, including your VPN app, might stop working after an update. Force an app update via your App Store Account or App Library, or delete the app and download the newest version from the App Store.
● Disconnect and reconnect via the VPN app: Open the VPN app. Tap the Disconnect button. Wait for a few seconds. Tap the Connect button. You should be able to see whether you’re protected in the VPN app or in the iPhone Control Center.
● Refresh VPN user profile: You may have to refresh your VPN profile after an upgrade or other change in your subscription plan. Delete the VPN profile via Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN. Next, go to the VPN app and tap Connect. You’ll have to add your profile information again. Tap Allow > Enter your iPhone passcode or Touch ID authentication.
● VPN disconnects when switching between Wi-Fi and LTE Networks: When moving around and switching rapidly between older 4G networks and Wi-Fi, it could force the VPN to hang up or get stuck in a reconnection loop. Switch off either the Cellular data or the Wi-Fi connection for 30 seconds, then switch it back on and try reconnecting to your VPN. You can also switch off ‘Always-on VPN’ from within the VPN app settings or go to iPhone Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN > Turn off Connect On Demand.
● VPN Conflict: If you use a VPN on your phone and connect to a Wi-Fi router that runs a separate VPN, you may experience a conflict. Turn off the second VPN on either the Wi-Fi router or your iPhone.
● Try a different VPN server: If you can’t connect to your usual server, look for a different server in the same region or perhaps even in a different country to check if it is a server issue or if you should start looking further to diagnose the problem.
If you’re using a free VPN
● Check your free VPN allowance: If you don’t have a paid VPN subscription, you’re probably relying on a limited access free VPN plan, and you may have exceeded the free allowance, so the VPN won’t work.
● Check the VPN’s free server load: Some VPNs operate a limited freemium service and may show you a list of the servers their non-paying customers are allowed to use. These free servers can become severely congested. They usually show the congestion percentage to help free users find the least congested server. Avoid servers that are 85+% busy.
● Some websites block some VPNs: Not all VPNs have the resources to stay ahead of IP blocking. Websites such as Netflix may see right through a weaker VPN and refuse to work. ● Does the VPN still operate in your country? Sometimes, VPNs stop operating in a country for legal or operational reasons. For example, the Russian government has recently announced a ban on VPNs in an attempt to stamp out news about their war in Ukraine.
Remember that it’s far better to upgrade to a paid, reputable VPN to get additional security and privacy benefits.
Conclusion
If you’ve followed all the tips and your VPN app still won’t work, contact your VPN customer service. Leading VPNs provide expert support for a variety of operating systems and devices.