Are you unable to use a VPN on your iOS device? This may be because the VPN app is stuck on the “connecting”screen. Or, sometimes, even after it seems like you’ve successfully connected to the VPN, websites may not load at all!
In this guide, we have listed all the best solutions to fix the most common VPN problems on your iPhone or iPad.
Note. While we have used screenshots from Proton VPN in this post, most of the solutions mentioned here are general VPN tips. They will work even if you use NordVPN, Express VPN, Surfshark, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, IPVanish, PrivateVPN, Hide.me, TunnelBear, AtlasVPN, ZoogVPN, Hoxx, Avira Phantom VPN, Speedify, Hotspot Shield, or any other VPN app.
1. Make sure Wi-Fi or cellular data is working
The installed VPN app on your iPhone can only connect to its servers and work successfully if your device’s Wi-Fi or cellular data is working properly.
So, the first step is to make sure your iPhone has an active internet connection. To check, open Safari and visit the website. If it works, move on to the next solution. And if it doesn’t, check out these tips to get a working Wi-Fi or cellular connection on your iPhone. Once Wi-Fi or cellular data is up and running on your iPhone, you can route your web traffic through the VPN.
- What to do if your iPhone or iPad can’t connect to Wi-Fi
- Tips to Fix Slow Wi-Fi on iPhone
- How to Fix Cellular Data Not Working on iPhone or iPad
- 18 Tips to Increase Cellular Speed on iPhone
2. Disconnect and reconnect to the VPN app.
Open the VPN app on your iPhone and click the Disable button to stop using it. After waiting a few seconds, press the same button to reconnect.
Note. The word VPN is displayed in the iPhone Control Center when you are connected to it. But sometimes you’ll see this word in the iOS Control Center even if your VPN app is stuck on the “Loading Connection Information…”or “Connecting…”screen and isn’t actually working.
3. Force close the VPN app and reopen it.
Swipe up from the bottom of the iPhone screen or double-tap the Home button to open the app switcher. From here, drag the VPN app tile all the way up to force close it. Once it’s done, wait 10 seconds before opening the VPN app again.
4. Enable and disable Airplane mode
Open the iOS Control Center or the Settings app and turn on Airplane Mode. This will turn off all wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi and cellular data and refresh your network connections. Once this is done, open the VPN app and try connecting again. Now this should work.
5. Restart your iPhone
These kinds of VPN issues are successfully resolved by simply turning your iPhone off and on.
6. Reboot your Wi-Fi router.
In addition to restarting your iPhone, consider doing the same for your Wi-Fi router. Use the main power switch on the wall to turn it off. After that, wait about 30 seconds before turning it on.
7. Make sure you have enough VPN
If you’re using a paid VPN plan, you almost certainly have an unlimited quota. However, some VPN apps like TunnelBear offer limited data on the free plan. This can vary from 500MB to several GB. Once you hit this limit, your VPN won’t work.
So, if you are using a free VPN, open the app, go to the accounts page and look for any such warning. If you have one, consider upgrading to their paid plan or get another free VPN app.
8. Delete the VPN profile and add it again.
This is an important solution that has worked for me several times. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings app and go to General > VPN & Device Management > VPN.
- Click ⓘ next to the added VPN profile.
- Click Remove VPN and confirm.
- Now open the VPN app and click the connect button. It will show a warning about adding a VPN profile. Tap Allow, and then enter your iPhone passcode or Touch ID authentication.
Once this is done, the VPN app will connect successfully. If you don’t see the “Allow”popup in step 4, uninstall and reinstall the VPN app.
9. Check VPN server load
Some services like Proton VPN show you a list of servers they have in a country and next to each server shows you the percentage of congestion. If the server is more than 90% busy, try using a different, less busy server as it provides a faster connection and faster speed.
10. Choose a different country or VPN server
Sometimes VPN servers in a certain country may not allow you to connect to it due to overload or temporary downtime. In these cases, try selecting another country from the list.
11. Change VPN Protocol
The VPN protocol is responsible for how your data is routed from your iPhone to VPN servers. Typically, a VPN application supports multiple protocols and defaults to the best one. Some can even cleverly switch between protocols to ensure a stable and secure connection.
If you are unable to connect to the VPN, open the VPN app on your iPhone and go to its settings. From here, click the protocol button and select another option. After that, try connecting to the VPN and see if it works or not. If it doesn’t, revert back to using the default protocol and read the rest of the solutions below, or try a different protocol.
12. Turn off the second VPN on your iPhone or Wi-Fi router.
Multiple people can use multiple VPN services at the same time for added protection. It’s also possible that you’re running a VPN on your iPhone and another one on your Wi-Fi router. If so, disable the other VPN and only use one at a time.
13. Update your VPN app
Press and hold the App Store icon on your iPhone home screen or app library and select Updates from the Quick Actions menu. Then drag down the Updates screen to update it. If an update is available for your VPN app, install it.
14. Uninstall and reinstall the VPN app.
In rare cases, the only way to fix VPN problems is to uninstall the VPN app and install it again. Be sure to do this before moving on to the rest of the tips.
15. Turn off private Wi-Fi address.
Some people have had better luck by turning off the private Wi-Fi address. If you can’t connect to a VPN on your iPhone, go to the Settings app > Wi-Fi and tap ⓘ for the connected network. On the next screen, turn off the Private Wi-Fi Address option and confirm by clicking Continue.
Then try connecting to the VPN and see if it works or not. If it doesn’t, restart your iPhone and try again. If the issue persists, turn private Wi-Fi address back on and continue to the next solution.
16. Disable Connect On Demand or Always-on VPN.
Go to your VPN app settings and turn off any option that says Always-on VPN or Connect On Demand. If it’s not there, go to iPhone Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN and tap ⓘ next to your VPN profile. From here, turn off connection by request.
17. Change DNS inside the VPN app
Some VPN apps may give you the option to change DNS. For example, you can replace the existing DNS address with Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), etc.
18. Some sites and services do not work through VPN
Before moving on, it’s important to know that some websites, apps, and services may flat out refuse to work with all or some VPNs. Therefore, we recommend turning off the VPN when you update your iPhone or when you cannot get the iOS app to work.
19. Switch to a paid and reliable VPN
If you use a free service, evaluate your VPN needs, and if you use it frequently, consider purchasing a paid subscription. Most VPNs cost between $3 and $6 per month if you stick to their long-term plans. You can try NordVPN, one of the best VPNs for Apple and non-Apple devices. They have a 30 day money back guarantee if you don’t like their service.
20. Is this particular VPN out of your country?
Due to a variety of reasons such as lack of profit, regulations, or pressure from the government, a VPN app can stop doing business in a country and exit the country entirely. If so, your only option is to use a different VPN.
21. Try a different VPN app
Even after all the recommendations above, if your VPN app isn’t working, it’s time to explore some other options. A single search on the App Store or Google for VPN will turn up a lot of results. Look at the reviews and experiences of people on Reddit, Quora, or web forums before choosing a VPN service.
Do the following if you have already invested in a VPN app that no longer works on your iPhone:
- See if the same VPN works on your computer or other devices. Almost all VPN services allow you to use the same account on multiple devices.
- Read the rest of the solutions to reset your iPhone if the same VPN (through your account) works on other devices but not on your iPhone.
22. Reset network settings
Go to iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and select Reset Network Settings from the list. After that, open the VPN app and try to connect. He must work.
If the issue persists, consider resetting all iPhone settings.
23. Contact VPN Support
Finally, if nothing works for you with the VPN service you are trying to use, contact their support team and explain your situation. If you’ve already paid for their services and they don’t work, request a refund and switch to a different VPN provider. You should find a way to contact your VPN provider at the bottom of the app settings app or on its official website.
Please let us know which solution worked for you. And if you have other tips, please share them in the comments section below.