iPhones are generally highly secure devices due to Apple’s unique policies. The Apple App Store has stricter rules than Google Play, and it’s a fact that most mobile malware targets Androids instead of iPhones.
When discussing what a VPN on iPhone is and whether you need one, you may have seen two opposing arguments. The first promotes VPNs as mandatory within the iOS environment, while the other states they’re not necessary at all. So which is it?
The reality is that VPNs on iPhones are more restricted than on other devices, but that does not render them incapable. They provide unique cybersecurity and browsing benefits that iPhones’ inherent security protocols do not cover. In this article, I’ll explain what an iPhone VPN can and cannot do, and who needs it and who doesn’t.
What Is a VPN on iPhone and How Does It Work?
An iPhone VPN is a privacy protection and cybersecurity app. All major VPNs, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and ProtonVPN, have dedicated iPhone apps. Their usefulness is backed by high Apple App Store ratings: at the time of writing, 4.7 for ExpressVPN, 4.7 for NordVPN, and 4.6 for ProtonVPN, with hundreds of thousands of reviews.
A VPN for iPhone encrypts your traffic, making it undecipherable to third parties. That might be cybercriminals spying on public Wi-Fi networks, but also legitimate public Wi-Fi networks that gather data and sell it to marketing agencies. Your mobile carrier can also collect and sell your data, even where it’s illegal to do so.
A VPN then reroutes encrypted data through its secure server, which replaces your mobile IP address with its own. This makes it significantly harder for mobile carriers to track which websites you visit. And if a cybercriminal has compromised the public Wi-Fi you’re connected to, they also cannot see what you’re doing there.
iPhone VPNs also offer additional benefits. For example, NordVPN has a built-in ad blocker. You’ll see fewer ads, which makes browsing more comfortable and, more importantly, saves your mobile data. If your school, university, or library blocks websites like streaming services, a VPN will unblock them.
Do You Really Need a VPN on Your iPhone? (iOS Security vs. VPN Protection)
One of the essential iOS cybersecurity methods is called software sandboxing. It means iOS restricts each app to its own environment, without the ability to access other app processes or the operating system.
This practically neutralizes basic malware, excluding highly sophisticated programs like the Pegasus spyware. Apple also has very strict App Store rules, enforcing code review with human testing and transparent data-collection disclosure.
This robust cybersecurity setup affects VPNs. For example, NordVPN offers the anti-malware Threat Protection tool. Due to iOS sandboxing, it loses some of its capabilities, because NordVPN simply isn’t allowed to access other apps’ data to scan it for malware.
Nonetheless, NordVPN (like ProtonVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN) uses DNS filtering, which blocks malicious websites. If you try to reach a domain these VPNs flag as dangerous, they’ll block the connection.
So in terms of iOS security, a VPN provides limited benefits. But in terms of data and privacy protection, as discussed above, it covers many areas that iOS does not. Here are the main reasons you’d want a VPN on iPhone.
Benefits of Using a VPN on iPhone
We’ve already mentioned one essential benefit: data and privacy protection. While iOS is inherently safe, a VPN safeguards your connection to the wider internet. So if you want robust public Wi-Fi safety (for example, because you travel frequently), want to avoid data mining, or want to protect your online activity from mobile carrier snooping, a VPN is a must-have.
Another key benefit is unrestricted internet access. VPNs are one of the most popular tools for bypassing geographical restrictions. If a specific YouTube video is unavailable in your location, you simply connect to a VPN server where it is available. Check our list of the best VPNs for streaming, which can expand your Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Prime Video libraries, and unblock services like BBC iPlayer wherever you are.
Feature-rich VPNs will also block ads to save your mobile data, block malicious websites to protect you from phishing, and disable online trackers to protect your privacy.
Overall, these are robust security tools that make your online activity on iPhone safer and more comfortable. If that appeals to you, visit our best VPN for iPhone ranking to pick one.
Drawbacks of Using a VPN on iPhone
You should also be aware of a few drawbacks of using a VPN on an iPhone.
Firstly, most reliable iPhone VPNs are paid services, so you’ll have a reasonable monthly subscription cost. Second, like all apps, a VPN will drain some of your battery. You may also notice a slight speed drop, though modern VPN apps keep it to a minimum.
And keep in mind that mobile VPNs do not prevent location tracking. Mobile carriers use methods like cell tower triangulation, which has nothing to do with your VPN connection.
How to Choose the Right VPN for Your iPhone
If you’ve decided to protect your privacy on your iPhone, here’s what to consider when picking the best iPhone VPN.
- Apple App Store rating. It gives you a strong hint at what other users think of the app.
- Protocol selection. Look for VPNs with WireGuard and IKEv2, or proprietary alternatives like NordVPN’s NordLynx or ExpressVPN’s Lightway. These ensure speed and stability.
- Audits and a no-logs policy. These ensure your browsing activity won’t be shared or sold to third parties, and independent audits back the claim up.
- Kill switch feature. A must-have if you frequent public Wi-Fi, because it stops your device from sending unprotected traffic if the VPN server disconnects.
How to Set Up, Turn Off, and Remove a VPN on iPhone
To set up a VPN on any modern iOS version, do the following:
- Subscribe to your chosen VPN and download it from the Apple App Store.
- Open the app and sign in with your credentials.
- Tap the Connect button.
- iOS will display a “[Chosen VPN] Would Like to Add VPN Configurations” message. Tap Allow.
- Authenticate with your passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID.
To turn off the connection, simply tap the Disconnect button on the VPN’s main screen.
And if you want to remove it from your iPhone:
- Tap and hold the VPN app icon in the App Library or on your home screen.
- Choose the Remove App option.
- Confirm by tapping Delete App.