What is VPN on iPhone. A simple and free way to set up a VPN on iPhone and iPad. The best paid solutions

Now, when in many regions of Russia one or another popular Internet service can be turned off at any time, VPN is gaining particular popularity. However, not all users know what it is and how to encrypt their connection on an iPhone or iPad. But sometimes it is simply necessary.

First, let's figure out what is meant by VPN. This is a technology for protecting your Internet connection that works quite well. simple principle: Your device makes a request to connect to the VPN server, and only then you get online, causing all traffic to go through the VPN. Roughly speaking, this is a kind of intermediary between you and World Wide Web, which in addition provides an IP address, masking real location user.

There are quite a few ways to install a VPN on an iPhone or iPad, but today we will look at one of the simplest and most common - installing a special application from a VPN service.

One of these programs may already be familiar to some of our readers - TunnelBear. Install it for free on your iOS device using the link below, register and receive 500 MB per month for your travels on the Internet. For publication in Twitter service will give you a bonus one gigabyte.

After downloading the application, you will be prompted to install a TunnelBear profile, and after that you can use the utility to your heart's content. Simply select the country whose server you want to use and connect to it. For an additional fee, you can expand the number of gigabytes available for surfing the Internet.

Name:
Publisher/Developer:
Price: For free
In-app purchases: Yes
Compatibility: Universal application
Link: Install

Other useful program for VPN on iOS - Cloak. The installation procedure is exactly the same: download the application (free) from App Store, install the profile and add a new VPN configuration. Free trial period for 30 days, but if you wish, you can choose one of tariff plans no gigabyte limits.

You will know that VPN is enabled on your iPhone or iPad by the corresponding icon on the top panel.

Until recently, anonymity and confidentiality on the Internet were considered a luxury - paying from 5 to 30 (or more - depending on the quality, speed and stability) dollars monthly for a dedicated VPN for iOS is only possible for a small audience who wants to achieve at least some security when surfing the Internet.

Now the situation with VPN has changed - luxury has turned into a duty, and all because of the strange policy of the RKN, too pliable providers, frequent blocking and the need to turn to third party services(a striking example of this is Spotify: the site pages seem to be loading, and the functionality is open, but total support is not provided in the Russian Federation).

As a result, the private desire to hide actions from prying eyes turned into an ordinary struggle for one's own rights. And, as practice shows, VPNs are worth trusting.

What is a VPN and why is it needed on iOS

VPN ( Virtual Private Network) is a generalized name for several technologies and tools that ensure the organization of virtual networks that are complex from the point of view of logic, working on top of real ones. To be specific, VPN “Virtual private network» allows you to distribute outgoing iOS smartphone, tablet, computer (and other iOS devices) traffic to remote, and located in distant VPN country server, both to bypass blocking and to additional protection. With a VPN, you can easily connect to unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots without worrying about losing sensitive data. Because of the very “logic” of virtual networks.

After all, traffic will first be sent from any available iOS device, then reaches remote VPN servers where they are used modern means cryptography (encryption, two-factor authentication, a complex system access keys, protection against trackers). And using such technologies to track whoever joined Wi-Fi point is impossible, and accordingly, there is no need to worry about insecurity.

If security is not a concern, then another benefit of a VPN is bypassing regional blocking. You don’t have to worry about losing access to Spotify, Telegram, PSN - you just need to choose the right iOS tool that opens access to virtual private networks, and you can instantly turn into a real ruler of the Internet.

Best Free VPN Apps (Rating)

If you don’t have time to understand the settings of the free Hide.me, but you already want to quickly cancel the current blocking actions, then it’s time to turn to special help VPN applications(both paid and free), available on iOS in digital store App Store.

TunnelBear

One of the most popular VPN tools for iOS. Has a number of many various iOS settings, and is available for free, but with traffic restrictions:

Reliable data protection in iOS;
Free plan has a traffic limit, you can download no more than 2GB per month, which is not enough to watch movies on your iOS gadget, but for social media. There are enough networks;

Betternet

Conditionally free VPN for iOS with a wide range of features.

In the free plan, the amount of traffic consumed is unlimited;
The free plan has a speed limit.

Windscribe

Recognized by many analysts as one of the best free VPNs. Works on many operating systems, including iOS.

IN free version on iOS there is a traffic limit of 10GB per month;
There are no VPN speed limits in the free version;
Free access to NetFlix on your iOS gadget;
Blocks ads on iOS.

Hide Me

Another good VPN for your iOS gadget. The free plan has a limit of 2GB per month. Therefore, if you need a one-time VPN, and not for permanent use, That best solution can not found.

Application setup example

Which free assistant should you choose? Depends on specific preferences. If needed free access to all the possibilities and surfing the network at maximum speeds, then most likely you should look away paid subscriptions CyberGhost or TunnelBear. If speed is not important, and security, anonymity and confidentiality are enough, then, again, Hide.me will not let you down. Did you find the perfect VPN tool? So, it’s time to understand the proposed iOS instructions. Process VPN settings We will show the example of the free CyberGhost application:

Working with free applications like CyberGhost is indeed much more pleasant, but there are also disadvantages. Firstly, when using such a VPN, absolutely all traffic passes through remote servers. Accordingly, the speed is reduced, both when using some instant messengers (like Telegram) and when surfing the Internet using a browser.

Secondly, developers do not always allow you to choose which server will become the fulcrum. You can change the node at your first request, there is no doubt about that, but some applications, like TunnelBear, allow you to choose, and therefore you will have to be especially scrupulous in choosing the ideal virtual private network tool.

Manual VPN setup on iOS

The VPN settings tab in iOS 11 is located in the “General” section, under the “Synchronization with iTunes over Wi-Fi” tab.

Just click on the “VPN” button and the “Not connected” status will turn into the “Add configuration” button. It’s worth stopping at this stage - ahead is the choice of connection types (IKEv2, IPSec, L2TP), selection of servers, filling various information related to network authentication, preparation of additional data necessary for quick authorization in virtual private networks.

The settings will not seem complicated even for beginners, and required parameters For quick use VPNs are easy to find on the Internet - the same Hide.me service offers a colossal number of servers for use.

Set the L2TP parameters, select free-nl.hide.me as the server, the account will be user_name, and the password will be password. The last point is filling text field“shared key” - hide.io. Just a few minutes to fill out and the result is amazing - the VPN really works. And in the main settings menu, a special Virtual Private Network lever has also appeared, allowing you to stay online in complete safety

Is it worth counting on such free help from Hide.me? Definitely. But in some cases. Free VPN is far from perfect – low speed, not the most best servers, located, if not in China, then somewhere on the outskirts of Europe with an unstable connection and constant breaks. But, if you really wanted to experience the miracle of virtual networks, then why not?

Browsers with VPN

List of browsers that allow you to select the connection type (either Proxy or VPN) in the settings Lately decreased greatly. Previously, Opera was always in the lead with an impressive portion of parameters for safe surfing, but recently the service has been available on personal computers With operating systems Windows, Linux and MacOS. Fortunately, there are still some left Tor Browser, always open for use in the App Store, and some functionally similar alternative solutions from unknown developers. For example, VPN + TOR from developers from Bending Spoons Apps IVS and Private Browser from KeepSolid Inc. studio.

Tor Browser

One of the most famous free VPN browsers.

Private Browser

Download free iOS version -
In general, the choice, although not too extensive, is quite tolerable - the browsers have a good visual style, a low barrier to entry (no problems with settings), user-friendly interface. If you get used to outside observers it didn’t work out, then no one has canceled the connection from Safari to CyberGhost yet, right?

Specialized services

If you distribute available tools, offering services to provide virtual private networks, then you should pay attention to the following “champions”:

Connecting to OpenVPN

The OpenVPN protocol for gaining access to the Virtual Private Network has recently been used less frequently - who needs extra difficulties with iOS settings, when in the same App Store there are tools available that provide access to the desired functionality in just a few clicks? If there is an urgent need to use OpenVPN, then the instructions are as follows:

The best paid solutions

Modern VPN services work according to the principle subscription fee. In some places the prices are moderate and even ridiculous (the same Browsec works for just 3 dollars a month), but there are also real giants who can write off up to 10 euros from your account in the same 30 days. It's easier to just make a list free solutions, offering Virtual Private Network – you can count the services on the fingers of one hand. Paid options and much more - CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PrivateVPN, TunnelBear.

How to choose the right option for yourself

Before choosing any VPN service It's worth answering a few questions. For what purposes are virtual private networks used (do you need to watch TV series on prohibited resources or bypass blocking?), do you need round-the-clock access (or several Internet connections are more than enough), do you want to pay for the services provided, or do you want to try out an unknown technology.

A selection of proven services that will allow you to encrypt traffic and hide your location on the Internet.

TunnelBear

One of best VPN services, which users from different parts of the world have already fallen in love with. It impresses with its speed and simplicity - you can start using it immediately after a short registration procedure.

You have the opportunity to choose a connection to the server of one of 20 countries, the use of which in this moment most preferred. This can be done both on an iPhone or iPad, and on a Mac. Other specific additional settings the service does not.

Quantity free traffic TunnelBear is limited to 500 MB per month. For some, this will be enough, while others can expand it with a paid subscription.

[free + subscription]
[free + subscription]

Opera VPN

The service offers a stable VPN with 500 servers in 10 regions of the world:
Canada, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, Spain, UK, Australia, France, Italy. You can choose any of them as you wish.

Changing location and encrypting traffic are free, but VPN speed is limited. To increase it you will need a subscription.

On Mac, VPN service is built right into Opera browser. To enable it, you need to open the program settings, go to the “Security” section and activate the “Enable VPN” switch.