How to set up ExpressVPN on iOS 12 and above (iPhone, iPad, and iPod)

This tutorial will show you how to set up the ExpressVPN app on iOS 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, and 12.

Not yet a customer? Read more about VPN for iOS.

Download the VPN app

Go to the App Store and search for ExpressVPN.

Tap GET.

The ExpressVPN app will be downloaded to your phone.

If you do not see the ExpressVPN app in your App Store, try changing your App Store country.

After the app has finished downloading, tap OPEN to launch the ExpressVPN app.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Set up the VPN app

On the app’s welcome screen, tap Sign In.

• If you did NOT purchase your ExpressVPN subscription from the App Store: Enter the email address and password associated with your ExpressVPN account. Tap Sign In.
• If you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription from the App Store: Tap restore your App Store subscription. You may receive an iOS prompt to enter your Apple ID password.

You will see a statement detailing the information collected by the ExpressVPN app. Tap Agree and Continue to proceed.

You will be invited to set up your VPN. Tap Continue to proceed with the installation.

The app will notify you: ‘ “ExpressVPN” Would Like to Add VPN Configurations.’ Tap Allow.

Use your Touch ID or enter your passcode to add the VPN configurations.

ExpressVPN will ask if you’d like to be notified of important announcements and alerts. Select your preference to continue.

If you selected OK, tap Allow to confirm you’d like to receive notifications from the ExpressVPN app.

Your app will ask you if you’d like to share anonymous analytics to help make ExpressVPN faster and more reliable. Select your preference to continue.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a VPN server location

To connect to a VPN server location, tap . By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the optimal experience for you, called Smart Location.

Once you see the Connected message on the app screen, you can begin browsing with freedom and security!

Note: With a single ExpressVPN subscription, you can connect to the VPN on up to eight different devices at the same time, regardless of platform. If you try to connect to more than eight devices at once, you will see this screen:

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from a VPN server location, tap  while the VPN is on.

You will know you are disconnected when the screen says, “Not connected.”

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a different VPN server location

To connect to a different server location, tap .

Note: The first time you try to change locations while connected to VPN, you will get a warning stating your internet traffic may be unsecure during reconnection. Click Continue to proceed.

Tap the new server location you would like to connect to.

ExpressVPN will automatically connect you to the selected server location.

To add a location to your list of favorite locations, swipe right on it. You can access your favorite locations in the Favorites tab.

To remove a location from your list of favorites, swipe right on it.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Switch to a different VPN protocol

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server. For the best experience, ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol option. This is selected by default and automatically picks the protocol most appropriate for your network.

In some cases, switching to a different protocol may help you achieve faster connection speeds.

To switch to a different protocol:

1. Tap Options.
   
2. Tap Other settings.
   
3. Under VPN settings, tap VPN protocol.
   
4. Your current protocol is indicated with a check mark. To change to another protocol, tap the protocol of your choice.
   

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites

Customize your online experience and take back control over what companies know about you. You can block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content from within the ExpressVPN app in just a few taps.

A lot of the apps and websites you visit keep a record of and share your activity with third-party companies, including trackers, scammers, and malware sites. This information is used to serve you more targeted ads and content, usually without your knowledge or permission.

These advanced protection features prevent all apps and websites you visit on your device from communicating with the third-party companies in our open-source blocklists.

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable them:

1. Make sure to connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
2. Tap Upgrades.
3. Tap Advanced Protection.
4. Toggle the settings on.

Read more about ExpressVPN’s advanced protection features.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Protection Summary

Protection Summary is a part of the ExpressVPN app home screen that provides an overview of your app use.

Protection Summary is divided into these sections:

Time protected

This section indicates the amount of time you have had ExpressVPN turned on during each day of the current week, providing an at-a-glance look at how intensively you are incorporating VPN security into your digital life.

IP address

This is the IP address currently being shown to sites and services. When you connect to ExpressVPN, you receive a new IP that replaces your real one. Note that when you use ExpressVPN, you might be assigned a different IP for every website you visit, further enhancing your anonymity. 

When you are connected to the VPN, a Refresh button (with two arrows forming a circle) next to the IP address allows you to quickly disconnect and reconnect while keeping your device protected from data leaks. This could be useful for troubleshooting a slow connection.

Location

This is the place that other sites and services currently see as your physical location.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Access support articles in the app

You can now access support articles within the ExpressVPN app.

Tap Help.

Tap a category to select an in-app support article.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Uninstall the app

To remove ExpressVPN from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, tap and hold the ExpressVPN icon until the app icons vibrate. Tap Delete App.

Tap Delete to remove the app.

The app is now deleted from your device.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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