How to Configure VPN on an iPhone

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

This wikiHow teaches you how to enable and set up a Virtual Private Network--which allows you to use the internet anonymously--from within your iPhone's Settings.

Steps

1
Open your iPhone's Settings. "Settings" is the grey cog icon on one of your Home screens (it may also be in a folder named "Utilities" on one of your Home screens).
- To connect to a VPN with your iPhone, you'll need to first contact your system administrator and ask for the configuration settings.
- If your ideal VPN runs on a workplace network, you should ask a supervisor for configuration settings.
2
Tap General.
3
Scroll to VPN and tap it.
4
Select Add VPN Configuration.
5
Select Type. It's at the top of the screen.
6
Select a connection type. This will be dictated by your network configuration. Your available connection types include the following options:^{[1]
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- IKEv2
- IPSec
- L2TP
- PPTP (not included on iPhone 7)
7
Tap < Add Configuration. This is in the top left corner of your screen.
8
Type your VPN's information into the pertinent fields. Depending on the type of connection you're using and your system administrator's configuration settings, this will include some or all of the following information:
- Description
- Server
- Account
- Password
9
Choose a proxy setting. If your VPN uses a proxy network--that is, a network separate from your own that's used to hide your IP address--you'll need to tap one of the following options at the bottom of your screen:
- Manual - This option allows you to configure the server, port, and authentication preferences for your proxy.
- Auto - If you have the specific web address for your chosen proxy, you can paste it into the "URL" section of this option.
10
Select Done. It's in the top right corner of your screen. Your VPN should now be configured and ready to turn on.