Network and connectivity
VPN
Most people call this routing all your traffic through another network.
A VPN sends all your traffic through a server you choose, hiding it from the local network and presenting that server's address to the internet.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 16 and later
- Settings
- General
- VPN & Device Management
What it does
iOS supports VPN configurations installed by an app or by a configuration profile from an employer. A VPN icon appears in the status bar whenever one is connected.
What changes
When it is on
All traffic is routed through the VPN server.
When it is off
Traffic goes directly over your network as usual.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Required for many work networks.
- Hides traffic from an untrusted local network.
Good reasons to turn it off
- You are trusting the VPN operator instead of your network operator.
- It costs battery and can slow things down.
- A free VPN usually funds itself with your data.
Battery
Costs you something
Privacy
Depends how you use it
Performance
Costs you something
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: None configured.
Worth reading first
Questions people actually ask
- Do I need a VPN on my iPhone?
- For work access, yes if your employer requires it. For general privacy, a VPN moves trust rather than removing the need for it.
If it is not working
- A VPN installed by a profile can only be removed under General, then VPN and Device Management.
- iCloud Private Relay is disabled while a VPN is active.
- Check the status bar to see whether a VPN is connected right now.