VPN or virtual private network is a necessity to hide your real IP address while conducting specific online searches. Be it opening a restricted website or unblocking restricted content, VPN comes in handy almost every time.
Anyway, the procedure of VPN configuration on an iPhone or a Mac is a bit different from the process of configuring a VPN on Android smartphones and other operating systems. If you have upgraded to an iPhone or a Mac recently, you might find it difficult to set up your VPN connection on your new devices. In this article, we are going to elaborate on the process as simply as possible.
How can you set up a VPN connection on your iPhone or iPad?
The process of setting up a VPN on an iPhone or an iPad is not as difficult as you’re assuming it to be. You can complete the procedure without having sound technical knowledge. The process can be segmented into two different techniques. Either you can add a VPN connection to your iPhone or iPad just with a general configuration. In such a case, you don’t configure the VPN network on your device manually.
Otherwise, you can set up the VPN on your iPhone or iPad manually, where you customize the network configuration. You are the one to decide which method is your preference. Anyway, we will discuss both procedures in detail to help you.
The general procedure for setting up a VPN on an iPhone or an iPad
Step 1
Selecting a VPN provider among multiple renowned companies is your first task. As you’re ready with the decision, purchase a suitable VPN package from the VPN provider and sign up with the VPN network.
Step 2
Every VPN network comes with a dedicated app, and you should install your VPN network’s application. After that, sign in to your account with the login credentials. The application will ask for your permission before adding the VPN configuration to your device. You are supposed to allow the app to do so, and the VPN network will be configured automatically on your device. Afterward, the app may prompt you to input a special passcode or Touch ID so that you can use that to make changes to the VPN configuration manually later. That’s it. You have the VPN network configured on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 3
As the configuration process is completed, you don’t need to open the VPN app to switch on the VPN connection anymore. Instead, follow the steps below to connect to the VPN network easily-
- Go to the Settings page of your device by tapping on the gear icon on your home screen.
- As you’re on the Settings page, you will find the General option. You need to tap on that.
- A new page will be there on your screen. Tap on VPN on the new screen.
- Select your preferred VPN provider if you have added multiple VPN providers to your device.
- Turn on the VPN connection by toggling the switch you see right beside the VPN status.
That’s how you can configure a VPN connection automatically on your iPhone or iPad. Now, let’s see the process of configuring VPN manually on your device.
The steps to configure a VPN manually on your iPhone or iPad
The process is a bit more complicated than the process mentioned above. If you’re about to configure a VPN manually on your iPhone or iPad, make sure that you have the appropriate login credentials with you. If you do, let’s start with the main process-
Step 1
Initially, you need to open the settings page of your phone and tap on General. By doing that, you will see the VPN option. Tap on that, and you’ll get redirected to the VPN page. Over there, you will see the Add VPN Configuration option.
Step 2
To configure your VPN manually, you have to tap on Add VPN Configuration. As you do so, a new page will appear on your screen.
Step 3
At the top portion of the page, you will find Type. Tap on that option and select the VPN type you purchased. Generally, three types of VPN networks are available- IKEv2, IPSec, and L2TP. These three options will be visible as you tap on Type. Select your VPN type from the list.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to add the settings information of your VPN connection. You need to input the description, server, and remote ID of your VPN connection accurately.
Step 5
After that, your device will ask you to enter authentication login credentials and save them. You are supposed to input the correct username and password that you will use to make changes to your VPN connection in the future.
Step 6
Many VPN users use proxy VPN connections. If you’re one of them, you need to tap on the Manual or Auto option to enable the proxy connection. Once you’re done with all the steps mentioned above, tap on Done to complete the setup procedure.
Step 7
Lastly, don’t forget to turn on the status switch to keep your device connected to the VPN connection.
These are the steps to configure your VPN connection on your iPhone or iPad manually.
As you see, none of the procedures mentioned above demand sound technical knowledge. If you’re familiar with the functions of your device, that’s enough to complete the configuration. So, follow the above-mentioned steps to complete the configuration procedure of your VPN connection on your iPhone or iPad.
How can you configure a VPN connection on your Mac?
Setting up a VPN connection on a Mac is also quite simple, and every Mac user can do that by executing the following sets of instructions promptly. Like the configuration process of VPN connections on iPhone or iPad, the VPN configuration of Mac can also be divided into two different types. Let’s have a close look at both configuration types to ease up the process for you.
Configuring a VPN connection on a Mac by importing a VPN settings file
Some VPN providers provide their users with dedicated VPN settings files. If you’re lucky enough to have a VPN settings file from your VPN connection provider, your task becomes a lot easier. If you have VPN settings file with you, importing that on your Mac is all you need to do to configure the VPN connection. How do you do that? Execute the following instructions accurately-
You can import the VPN settings file in two different ways. We are mentioning both ways for your reference. You should select a procedure according to your preference.
Process 1
In this method, you need to double-click on the VPN settings file. That’s how you open Network preferences on your Mac, and the file gets imported automatically. This is the easiest way to configure a VPN connection on a Mac using the VPN setting file of the network. Unfortunately, this process doesn’t work every time. If this method isn’t working on your PC, go for another method.
Process 2
This process is a bit more complicated than the previous process. Anyway, the following points will simplify the entire process for you-
- First of all, click on the Apple Menu, and numerous options will appear on your screen.
- You need to select System Preferences among all those options.
- Another page will appear where you will find the Network option. You will get redirected to another page.
- On the new page, find the action pop-up menu symbol (Three horizontal dots inside a circle) and click on that.
- Now, you are supposed to choose Import Configurations.
- As you do so, the system will prompt you to select the VPN settings file you want to import. Select that file and click on Import.
- You’ve successfully imported the VPN settings file on your Mac, and the VPN connection will get configured on your device automatically.
Both these methods are highly efficient for configuring a VPN connection on your PC. But you need to use the manual configuration method if you don’t have the VPN settings file. Now, what’s the way to configure your VPN connection manually? Go through the following segment to know that.
Setting up a VPN on your Mac manually
Step 1
Start the procedure by clicking on the Apple Menu on your screen. As you click on that menu, you will get a lot of menu options on the screen. Among those, click on System Preferences. After that, a new page will come up with other options. Find the Network option on that page and click on that.
Step 2
On the network page, you will be able to see the + option on the left side of the screen. You should click on that option to add a VPN connection to your device. Once you do that, an interface pop-up menu will appear. By clicking on that, multiple network options will be visible. You need to select VPN among all those options.
Step 3
Now, the VPN Type pop-up menu will appear on your screen. You have to click on that pop-up menu, and your system will ask what kind of VPN connection you want to set up. Three options will be there to select- L2TP, IPSec, IKEv2. You need to select one of these options based on the type of VPN connection you’re configuring. After that, you will have to name the VPN service you’re using. You can use whatever service name you like. As you have input your preferred name, click on create to proceed with the configuration.
Step 4
As the steps mentioned above are completed, you are supposed to enter the server address. Also, you need to input the account name for the VPN connection.
Step 5
Now, click on the Authentication Settings option. As you do so, the system will ask for VPN information. You need to input the information you received from the network provider to authenticate your VPN connection. You won’t be able to use the VPN connection if the authentication fails. So, input the accurate details and information for authentication.
Step 6
In some cases, users need to input additional information about the VPN connection to complete the configuration. If your provider has instructed you to provide additional information while configuring your VPN connection, you have to provide those. You may have to input information related to session options, TCP/IP settings, DNS servers, and proxies to complete the configuration if your provider has prompted you to do so.
Step 7
Once you’re done with all the steps mentioned above, you need to click on the Apply option. Then, click on OK to finish the process.
If you’re unsure about any information related to your VPN configuration, reach out to your network provider. Don’t configure your VPN connection with inappropriate information, as that can put your device at risk.
Final words
So, now you have complete knowledge of how you can configure VPN connections on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The trend of using VPN connections is increasing day by day, and there’s no point in refraining from using a VPN connection on your device. Many users hesitate about using VPN connections as they don’t know how to use VPN safely and how to configure the connections.
In this article, we have elaborated everything about configuring the VPN connection of iPhone, iPad, or Mac. No need to hesitate because you don’t possess adequate technical knowledge. If you’re familiar with the basic functions of your device, half of the work is done. You can complete the rest by going through the instructions given above minutely. Don’t get nervous while setting up the VPN connection on your device, and never think that you may damage your system by doing something wrong.
Renowned VPN providers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN have in-house technical teams to assist users in configuring VPN connections on their smartphones or PCs. If you’re not confident enough about the VPN configuration, seek assistance from your VPN company’s customer service. Otherwise, follow the detailed guide provided by us to complete the configuration.
Do you value your privacy online?
Use VPN Surf and surf safely and securely in the open waters of the internet.
8554