How to Set Up a VPN

Before you start

You’ll need three things:

1. A device to protect (Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a router).
2. A VPN subscription. If you haven’t chosen one yet, see our guide on how to choose a VPN first.
3. The login details for the VPN account you’re about to create.

How to set up a VPN

Step 1: Choose and subscribe to a VPN

Pick a provider and sign up for a plan on its website. Create your account with an email address and password, then complete payment. This is the only step where you’ll hand over details, so make sure you’re on the provider’s official site before entering anything.

Step 2: Download the official app

Download the VPN app from the provider’s official website or your device’s official app store (the App Store on iPhone, Google Play on Android). Ensure the download matches your device. Avoid third-party download sites, which sometimes bundle altered or fake apps.

Step 3: Install and sign in

Run the installer, then open the app and sign in with the account you created in Step 1. On a phone, the app will usually request permission to add a VPN configuration to your device; this is normal and required for the VPN to route your traffic.

Step 4: Turn on the key settings

Before you connect, open the app’s settings and enable two features that most apps leave configurable:

• Kill switch – cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops, so nothing leaks unprotected. Turn this on.
• Protocol – the rulebook for the encrypted tunnel. If your app offers WireGuard, it’s a good default for speed; OpenVPN is the reliable fallback. If you’re unsure, leave it on the app’s automatic setting.

Step 5: Connect to a server

Press the main Connect button to connect to the fastest available server, or select a specific country from the server list if you need to appear in a particular location. The app will show a connected status and the server you’re using within a few seconds.

How to confirm it worked

Check that your traffic is actually going through the VPN. With the VPN connected, search “what is my IP address” in your browser: the location shown should match your VPN server, not your real one. For a deeper check, run a DNS leak test (search “DNS leak test”) and confirm the results show the VPN server’s location rather than your own internet provider.

Troubleshooting

• Can’t connect to a server: switch to a different server or change the protocol in settings; a network or firewall may be blocking the default.
• Connection keeps dropping: try a server closer to you, or switch to a protocol like IKEv2 that reconnects well when your network changes.
• Internet is slower than expected: connect to a nearby server (geographically) and use a fast protocol such as WireGuard; distance and protocol are the usual causes.
• A website blocks you while connected: some services restrict VPN traffic. Try another server, and check the service’s own terms before relying on this.

Frequently asked questions

You’re set

Your VPN is now installed, connected, and verified, with the kill switch on, so nothing leaks if the connection drops. The one thing to keep an eye on is the connection status before you do anything sensitive – if the app shows disconnected, reconnect first. To understand what your VPN does and doesn’t protect, read our explainer on what a VPN is and the kill switch definition.