What is a VPN? How do I turn it off?
VPN stands for virtual private network, and it provides the ability to establish a secure network connection even when you re using unsafe public Wi-Fi. A VPN will encrypt your online traffic and keep your virtual location hidden.
Most businesses who provide computers and phones to their staff will generally have a VPN setup on them to protect their data. Please make sure you turn your VPN back on after you have finished what you need to do.
How to turn off a VPN on iOS (iPhone and iPad)
It s easy to turn off a VPN on your iPhone or other iOS device - it only requires a few taps. Here s how to disable a VPN on your iPhone:
- On your iPhone, go to your Settings and click on 'General'.
- Find and select 'VPN & device management'.
- Having done this, you can now toggle the VPN status to 'Not connected'.
Turn off a VPN on Windows 11, 10, and other versions
It takes no more than a few seconds to disconnect a VPN on Windows. The steps may vary depending on the version, but the basic principle is the same:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet.
- Select VPN in the left-side menu.
- Select the VPN connection you want to disable.
- Click Disconnect.
Turn off a VPN on Android
You can turn off your VPN either directly in the app or in the VPN settings of your Android phone. Here s how:
- Go to Settings > Network & internet.
- Tap on VPN.
- Toggle off VPN.
Turn off a VPN on macOS
You can disable your VPN connection directly in the app or in the macOS network settings. Here s how to disable VPN on your Mac:
- Go to System settings > Network.
- Select your VPN connection from the left panel.
- Click Disconnect.