Do you have a VPN but don’t know how to install it on your Android smartphone? No problem, we’ll explain how to do it, it’s not complicated at all.
How to Install a VPN on Android
Why and in what context use a VPN?
To access content not available in a country
Take the example of a person from the United States who lives in Germany, who wants to watch a YouTube video, but this is impossible since restrictions – put in place by his country of residence – block his path.
Another example, a person in Germany who wants to access the Netflix catalog which is only available in the USA. In these two cases, using a virtual private network (VPN) makes perfect sense.
To protect yourself and stay free
Whether you have a Windows PC, Mac OS or any Linux distribution, operating a VPN will enhance your privacy and place the words “security” and “anonymity” between you and the Internet. Most users use VPNs to hide the IP address given by their ISP, i.e. to use the Internet completely anonymously. You can live in Spain and have a Portuguese IP address, or vice versa.
To prevent public WiFi from stealing your data
From the moment you connect to a public WiFi network (McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, Airports, Stations, Hospitals, etc.), you should be aware that it is likely to spy on you and intercept personal data at without your knowledge.
In parallel, a public connection can open the way to malicious hackers who may be able to go snooping around sensitive data in the neighborhood, and thus collect identifiers and passwords, your credit card and / or telephone number, and many other things.
To counter restrictions on certain websites
By using a VPN, you will generate a new IP, and thus temporarily camouflage yours. When a service is reserved for users of a country, i.e. users with an IP address from that country, the VPN allows you to cheat and obtain an IP address in the country in question.
For example, France Televisions’ direct and streaming services are only accessible in France, or more exactly from French IP addresses, so the solution is simply to obtain a French IP and voila.
To telecommute with peace of mind
In the professional environment, there are many companies that operate secure private networks to transmit their data. This is also the case in the telework sector. Take the example of an employee who has to prepare a report with sensitive information.
To pass them, the latter will need a secure gateway to ensure that information and his identity are not compromised.
But, using a VPN will ALSO slow the connection speed
In itself, it’s a bit annoying but logical … You have to assume that the servers to which you connect are encrypted, and can also sometimes be very far away. If you take these factors into account, then you will understand why the connection is not as fast / smooth as yours.
Free services are often the slowest, it is recommended to opt for a private VPN service which will not only be much faster but above all will protect your privacy more. In general, the further away from the server you are connecting to, the slower the connection.
So how do you install a VPN on Android?
Most VPNs have their own Android (and iOS) app. They are very well done and optimized to offer the best compromise between simplicity and functionality, we strongly recommend that you use these applications rather than configure a VPN manually.
Of course, to connect to these applications you need the identifiers that you chose during your registration, without them you will be unable to connect to the service.
Subscribe to a good vpn like ExpressVPN.
1. Go toSettings> Networks and Internet> VPNthen click on the cross at the top right to add a VPN
2. Choose the type of VPN corresponding to yours and enter a name for your VPN
3. Enter the address of your VPN server
4. Activate encryption
5. Enter your username and password
6. Save
While you are connected to your VPN, you will see an activated VPN notification in your notifications drawer.
How to automatically connect to VPN on Android
Since version 4.2, Android offers the possibility of constantly using your VPN. When this option is activated, Android does not use DATA outside the VPN. This can be particularly useful if you often use a public WiFI connection.
To automatically connect to the VPN on Android, here is what you need to do:
1. Go toSettings> More> VPN
2. Click on the VPN with which you want to connect all the time
3. Click on the icon at the top right of the menu, then onPermanent VPN, then choose your profile.