A VPN gives you greater online privacy and security, so it’s a good idea to keep your VPN on at all times on your phone. But if you were to turn your VPN off, there are two different ways to do it on an iPhone—either by the VPN provider’s app or in your iPhone settings.
Read more: Should you keep your VPN on all the time?
Why should you disable your VPN on an iPhone?
Keeping your iPhone VPN on all the time is optimal, as it encrypts your online traffic and provides anonymity through a different IP address—even during those downtime hours—but there are times when a temporary switch-off is a practical choice. For example:
1. You need to troubleshoot your internet connection
When facing connectivity issues, disabling your VPN can serve as a diagnostic step. It helps determine whether the VPN is the cause of the problem or if there’s an underlying issue with your network.
2. You have a weak online connection
If your Wi-Fi signal isn’t strong enough, you can opt to temporarily disconnect the VPN on your iPhone until you find a more stable and reliable connection.
3. You need to access location-based services
Some services or content are tailored to specific geographic regions, like ride-sharing and food delivery apps. Disabling your VPN allows you to access location-restricted content or services that might otherwise be unavailable while using a VPN.
4. Your battery is running low
VPNs require extra processing power, so in situations where conserving battery life is essential, turning off the VPN on your iPhone can help extend your device’s uptime.
5. Your streaming service blocks VPN connections
Some streaming platforms actively block VPN connections to enforce regional content restrictions. While high-quality VPNs usually find ways to function on websites that aren’t VPN-friendly, certain platforms might go a step further and entirely deny access. In these cases, your only recourse may be to disable your VPN temporarily.
How to turn off the VPN on your iPhone
Disabling a VPN on your iPhone is a straightforward process, and there are two ways to go about it: Through your device’s settings or directly within the VPN app.
1. Disable the VPN on your iPhone via Settings
- Unlock your iPhone and open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap General.
- Look for VPN & Device Management further down the menu and tap it.
- Tap VPN. If your VPN is active, you’ll see its status as Connected.
- To deactivate the VPN, simply tap the toggle switch next to the VPN’s status. Once turned off, the status will change to Not Connected.
By following these steps, you’ll successfully disconnect your iPhone from the VPN and revert to your regular internet connection.
Troubleshooting: VPN on iPhone keeps switching back on
If you follow the steps above and find that the VPN quickly turns back on, it’s likely that your VPN has the Connect On Demand feature enabled.
To turn this off, follow these steps:
- Under VPN & Device Management, tap the small ⓘ icon next to your VPN’s name
- Switch off the Connect On Demand toggle.
This should keep the VPN from automatically reactivating on your iPhone.
2. Disable the VPN on your iPhone via the VPN app
Another approach to turning off your VPN involves using the VPN app itself. Just note that not all VPN apps include this feature, but well-known providers like ExpressVPN do.
- Locate and launch the VPN app you’re using on your iPhone, such as ExpressVPN or any other VPN service.
- In the app interface, you’ll typically find a Connected or On button. Tap this button once to disconnect.
- Once tapped, the button’s label will switch to Not connected or Off, which means that your VPN has been disabled.
Read more: How to turn off a VPN on any device
FAQ: About disabling VPN on iPhone
Why can’t I turn my VPN off on my iPhone?
There are a few reasons why you might not be able to turn off your VPN on your iPhone. The most common reasons include:
1. The VPN is set to connect automatically: Some VPNs have a setting that allows them to connect automatically whenever you connect to a new network. If this setting is enabled, you’ll need to disable it before you can turn off the VPN manually.
You can do this by navigating to Settings in your iPhone app, scrolling down to VPN & Device Management, tapping the small ⓘ icon next to your VPN’s name, then switching off the Connect On Demand toggle.
2. There’s a problem with the VPN: If the VPN is not working properly, it may be preventing you from turning it off. In this case, your best bet is to uninstall and reinstall the VPN app.
Should I turn off the VPN on my iPhone?
It’s not recommended that you turn off the VPN on your iPhone, but there are obvious times when you may need to. However, try your best to keep your VPN active when you’re doing things online on public Wi-Fi networks or when you want to make sure your online privacy is protected.
What are the risks of turning the VPN off on my iPhone?
1. Diminished online privacy: When your VPN is off, your internet service provider can view many of your online activities.
2. Exposed IP address: The absence of a VPN exposes your real IP address to websites you visit. This leaves you more susceptible to location tracking, targeted ads, and potentially even identity profiling.
3. Government surveillance and censorship: Without the veil of a VPN, your government could monitor more of your online actions and more easily impose website restrictions.
4. Potential internet speed throttling: Some ISPs may throttle your internet speed for high-bandwidth activities like streaming or gaming, which can significantly degrade your online experience.
5. Reduced defense against cyberattacks: With your VPN turned off, you lose the layer of encryption that shields your data from cyber threats like man-in-the-middle attacks, exposing you to potential breaches.
6. Limited content accessibility: Certain online content may be inaccessible due to geo-restrictions or regional blocks.
7. Heightened risk on public Wi-Fi: Disabling your VPN while using public Wi-Fi networks exposes your data to hackers who may exploit vulnerabilities in these unsecured connections.
8. Less secure online transactions: Engaging in online banking or shopping without a VPN increases your risk of interception by third parties.
9. Lack of HTTPS encryption: Visiting unsecured websites without VPN protection exposes your data to potential interception, as not all websites use HTTPS encryption.
10. Exposure on P2P networks: Peer-to-peer networks used for file sharing can reveal your IP address to others, potentially compromising your online identity.
Why does my iPhone VPN keep turning on?
The most common reason why your iPhone VPN might keep turning on is because it’s set to connect automatically. If this setting is enabled, you’ll need to disable it before you can turn off the VPN manually. You can do this by following these steps:
1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
2. Tap the small ⓘ icon next to your VPN’s name.
3. Toggle off the Connect On Demand switch.
If your VPN is still turning on automatically, you should contact your VPN’s customer support for help.
Is it easy to remove a VPN from my iPhone?
Yes, it’s easy to remove a VPN from your iPhone. There are two ways to do it:
Through the Settings app:
1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
2. Tap the VPN that you want to remove.
3. Tap Delete VPN.
4. Tap Delete again to confirm.
Deleting the VPN app:
1. Find the VPN app on your iPhone’s home screen.
2. Press down on the VPN’s icon until a menu pops up.
3. Tap Remove App
Once you’ve removed the VPN from your iPhone, your internet traffic will no longer be encrypted. This means that your ISP and other third parties may be able to see what websites you’re visiting and what data you’re sending and receiving.
If you’re concerned about your privacy, you should only remove a VPN when you’re sure that you’re in a safe environment.
