Is it illegal to use a VPN on an iPhone?

Apple hasn't issued any directive against VPN usage on their devices. However, the legality of VPNs mainly depends on where you live. For example, besides strict internet censorship, China also restricts VPNs. Other countries that regulate or ban VPNs include Iraq, Belarus, Oman, UAE, Russia, and North Korea.

Is there a way to keep the VPN connection always active on my iPhone?

Yes, but you'll have to reboot your device and turn on the supervised model. Then, create an always-on VPN configuration profile with Apple Configurator.

Will a VPN harm my iPhone?

No, there is nothing to fear if you are using a trustworthy service. A VPN will even make your connections even more secure. However, remember that a VPN is software and can develop vulnerabilities and bugs. Therefore, you should use it together with an antivirus.

Will a VPN affect my iPhone's battery life?

Obviously, yes, like most apps. However, a reliable VPN should run in the background without affecting your battery. For example, during our tests, NordVPN had minimal impact on battery duration. The battery life even improved after closing background apps and dimming the screen's brightness.

Will my iPhone location be tracked when using a VPN?

No. A VPN will help you to remain anonymous. It will replace your IP address and encrypt your web traffic so that nobody can access your data or online activities. However, some providers retain identifiable information that can be used to track you. So, it's essential to check the privacy policy closely.

Does the iPhone come with an inbuilt VPN?

No, but it offers VPN compatibility. As a result, you can install any third-party VPN, and it won't affect your device's functionality. The services on this list offer easy-to-use iOS VPN apps. Fortunately, they have been configured automatically, saving you from the hassle of manual setup.

Do VPNs work on iPad?

Of course, yes. Besides iPhone, the VPNs on this list are also compatible with iPads. The installation process is similar. Although older versions may experience some glitches, newer models will work just fine.

Is a VPN necessary if I’m using carrier data?

It is possible that your data could be intercepted while using a wireless carrier connection, although it depends if your carrier is trustworthy. It is generally safer to encrypt your data in transit when using a carrier or Wi-Fi connection.

Why do I need a standalone VPN if iCloud+ Private Relay is a VPN?

To clarify, iCloud+ Private Relay is an iCloud+ feature included with iCloud storage purchase. It can mask your location and email address when using Safari, but it does not work with other browsers or applications. Additionally, it does not allow you to alter or conceal your location like a standalone VPN does. In comparison, a VPN service is a dependable security solution.

Are there reliable alternative iPhone & iPad VPNs?

In addition to our recommendations above, there are other reliable and secure options available. While these alternative services may not have made our best list, they are still worth considering. For instance, AtlasVPN is an affordable option, with a monthly price of $1.89, which is even lower than Surfshark's rate. Also, CyberGhost VPN offers an extensive 45-day money-back guarantee.

The 5 Best VPN Services for iPhone and iPad in 2023

Sneak peek at iOS VPNs

Apple iOS is well-known for providing the best security features to iPhone and iPad users. Nevertheless, these measures can’t hide your online existence in front of spies, hackers, cyber attackers, third parties, and your ISP. Moreover, you can’t access the geo-restricted websites until you get a VPN. Although, we now have an enormous number of VPNs available. However, not all of them have iOS compatibility. But, don’t worry; you can find the best iPhone and iPad VPNs in this guide. These VPNs offer a dedicated, user-friendly iOS app, amazing content unblocking capabilities, and top-notch options for secure and anonymous internet surfing.

Apple’s iOS is a highly secure operating system, but it is not enough to keep you completely private. When using the internet, your ISP and other third parties will try to access your information. So, using a VPN on your iPhone is necessary to maintain your online anonymity.

However, not all VPNs are worth your time. Most apps didn’t even work, whereas others exhibited security issues or slowed down device speeds during our extensive research.

Nonetheless, we did find some excellent VPNs too that can serve a privacy-savvy iPhone user well.

So, this article lists the best Apple VPNs that you can install on your iPhones or iPads. Also, you’ll learn here why you need to install a VPN on your iPhone and much more.

Quick list for the best VPN apps for iPhone

ExpressVPN – Best iPhone and iPad VPN. The VPN comes with impressive features and superb speeds.
NordVPN – Our most favourite VPN for iOS (based on extensive tests and research). It offers lightning-fast speed, robust security, and bypass restrictions of popular streaming sites.
Surfshark – User-friendly and secure iOS app. One of its most striking features is the unlimited simultaneous connections.
PrivateVPN – Dedicated app for iPhone. It boasts of high security and privacy despite the small server network.
VyprVPN – Great budget VPN for iOS. The provider offers top-notch security and incredible unblocking capability.

Note: This is an evolving list (as all the lists on PrivacySavvy are). We actively work on more research and tests, so expect our list of iPhone VPNs to change periodically.

Why do you need a VPN on your iOS device?

However, using VPNs is often the primary cybersecurity recommendation from every expert. But, given the generally secure impression of Apple devices, you might think of this tool as something you don’t need.

However, several reasons make it necessary to install a VPN on your device, whether you are using an iPhone or iPad. Here are a few.

Improved privacy – Generally, iOS is a secure platform. However, it still has to use your internet service provider (ISP) to connect online. In addition, your online activities leave breadcrumbs everywhere, which anyone can use to trace your IP address easily. So, installing a VPN will prevent your ISP and other third parties from accessing your data or see what you are doing.
Bypass geo–restrictions – Most streaming services like Netflix and other websites use geographic restrictions to limit their content to specific regions. However, you can connect to a server in any country and access whatever you want with a VPN.
Save data – Sometimes, you use more data than you should because your device downloads text and images as you browse the internet. Fortunately, most premium VPNs have web filters to prevent this from happening.

Also: Here are the best VPNs for Apple TV

Best iPhone VPNs today – The detailed list

You should only settle for a top-notch virtual private network (VPN) service for your iOS device that excels in performance and security and boasts added privacy features.

We ran numerous tests and did comprehensive research to develop the 5 best iPhone VPN services we reviewed below. If you are wondering where to find the right VPN for your iPhone, you can easily pick any of these.

1. ExpressVPN

The provider boasts excellent privacy features, robust security measures, and blazing fast speeds that make it the best VPN for iOS devices.

Visit ExpressVPN

3,000+ servers in 94 countries

AES-256-bit encryption

TrustedServer technology

DNS leak protection

P2P (torrenting)

Zero-logs policy

Allows up to 5 simultaneous devices

30 days money back guarantee

Pros

Impressive speeds
User friendly iOS apps
Robust security and privacy

Cons

Not the cheapest option

ExpressVPN is the best VPN to unblock sites on Apple devices. Setting up the app on your phone is straightforward, and it will take you only a few minutes to complete.

The VPN offers a native iOS app that has a minimalist layout making it super easy to use. Like NordVPN, it has a quick connect option for establishing switch VPN connections. However, unfortunately, the app lacks split tunneling and a Network Lock (kill switch).

ExpressVPN operates thousands of servers globally. With a network of more than 3,000 servers in over 94 countries, the traffic load per server will be less. This means you’ll get faster and more stable connections regardless of the server you use.