We’re going to explain how to set up a VPN on Android. This way, you can hide your IP address to stay anonymous while using a browser or app. Using a VPN will also allow you to connect to a server in another country to enjoy content from a platform that is exclusive to that country, such as series or movies.
- Why use a VPN on mobile
- Which VPN to choose?
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- Other recommended VPNs
- How to set up a VPN on an Android phone
- From the VPN app
- Set up a VPN on Android from Settings
Why use a VPN on mobile
You might be wondering exactly why to use a VPN on your mobile. The truth is that the main reason is anonymity . These applications have the ability to hide our IP address, falsifying the location where we are located. This is especially useful in countries with censorship.
This way, malicious Internet users or anyone who wants to know our location will not be able to, they will see a location that is not theirs. This will make it impossible for them to dox us . On the other hand, connecting to another country’s server allows us to access exclusive content from that country ; for example, a series that is only available on the Irish version of Netflix.
The IP address is a key element on the Internet. It is a unique code that identifies a device on the Internet or on a local network. If someone knows our IP, they could easily know our location . The best way to hide the IP is through a good VPN, either for Android or for a computer, since in this tutorial on how to configure an IP we have focused on mobile phones but they are also available for PCs.
Apart from hiding the IP, it is common for VPNs to include other advantages , such as security barriers or, something that is especially useful to us: ad blockers . This is the case of NordVPN, which also barely limits the speed at which we can operate, since many VPNs do, slowing down the use of the mobile phone.
Which VPN to choose?
There are many VPNs for Android, but we particularly recommend 2: NordVPN and Surfshark . Both are paid because they are the best. If you really care about hiding your IP and maintaining your privacy, a paid IP is ideal, since they are more competitive and do not trade your information, like many free ones.
NordVPN
It is one of the best VPNs for Android (also for computers, iPhone or Mac) because it has servers in up to 111 countries , can be used with one account on 10 devices and barely slows down the connection speed , leaving it at more than 6730 Mbps. In addition, it can search for malware , block ads or alert about leaked credentials .
You’ll get a lot out of NordVPN if you’re interested in :
- Access the catalog of other countries on your favorite streaming platforms.
- Traveling abroad and want to continue watching Spanish content from a platform, such as Netflix Spain or HBO Max Spain.
- You think someone is spying on your connections and you want to browse with absolute privacy.
- You need a stable connection to play online (say goodbye to bandwidth limitations from other VPNs)
- You connect to WiFi networks outside your home , so you need greater security.
- Shopping with NordVPN is much safer than without it. This is because it allows you to avoid price gouging, fake websites, and cyberattacks. Plus, your credit card details will be safe .
As you can see, almost anyone can benefit from NordVPN . It is one of the most secure and complete VPNs, but at the same time it is easy to use and configure , as we will see later. In short, it is more than just a VPN, a service that will reinforce your security and allow you to browse anonymously , as well as allowing you to access content and information that you would not be able to access without it.
It has three levels: Starter, Plus and Complete . The price of each one is different, but it is currently discounted compared to the standard cost , which allows us to get the best VPN for Android at an extremely affordable price, from just 3 euros per month .
Surfshark
On the other hand, we have Surshark, another of the most recommended VPNs for Android or computer. It offers us online privacy with hardly any effort, since it is also easy to configure and is very intuitive . Added to this is its ability to block ads , pop-up cookies and trackers . In addition, its high speed allows you to browse, work or play online without bandwidth reductions .
On the security front, it also has some special features , such as alerts, which send notifications if your email addresses, credit cards, or personal ID are leaked. In case, for whatever reason, the VPN connection drops, the Kill Switch feature will disconnect you from the Internet to make sure you don’t get into trouble.
It has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries , which means you can connect as if you were in any of them. It can be used on an unlimited number of devices , which makes it a very cost-effective purchase.
Another aspect where Surfshark stands out is in its prices, since you can get it from 2.29 euros per month . In fact, it is widely discounted, with up to an 85% discount . The price depends on the level, since there are three: Starter, One and One+, ordered from least to most complete, but all of them guarantee you privacy and security on the Internet.
Other recommended VPNs
The above are the ones we recommend the most, but there are other recommended VPNs that are also worth talking about:
- Hotspot Shield Free VPN – Another of the best Android VPNs to hide your IP is Hotspot Shield Free VPN. It has servers in 80 countries, plus it’s very fast, making it a great option when you need to play video games. There is a free option, but we recommend their €7.99 per month plan, their current price, because the free one is quite limited.
- TunnelBear – Another of the most recommended Android VPNs is Tunnelbear, although less so in Spain, where its website is in English. This is a VPN that also has a free plan, but whose paid plan costs from $3.33 per month. It is also easy to use, fast, and does not log data, in addition to having a wide number of platforms that it can unblock.
- ExpressVPN : Finally, we can always opt for a premium VPN, such as ExpressVPN, but they are quite a bit more expensive, as their plans start at 8.04 euros per month. However, it is very good, secure and fast. It has servers in more than 105 countries, great AES-256G encryption – one of the most reliable standards -, it works on all platforms, it has no activity log and offers 24-hour technical support.
How to set up a VPN on an Android phone
Now that we’ve covered the advantages of VPNs and which ones are the best, we can now discuss how to set up a VPN on Android. This can be done in two ways: from the device’s own settings or through the VPN itself . We’ll show you both methods, first from the VPN itself and then from the Android settings menu.
From the VPN app
We’ll start with the option to set up the VPN connection from within the VPN app itself . There are many mobile VPNs out there , but for this tutorial, we’re choosing NordVPN, the best of the bunch.
It is worth noting that the way to install a VPN on Android depends on the VPN itself , some, such as NordVPN, assist you during the process. In this case, you simply have to open the app and log in with your account (and your plan) —if you have not done so previously— and choose the server to connect to.
The quickest option is to open the NordVPN app and select QUICK CONNECT by tapping on the country you are most interested in from the map displayed at the top of the screen. The great thing about NordVPN is that it has a huge number of countries to connect to . You can choose the one you are most interested in, but you can even choose the specific city.
With this, you will be connected, but you can configure the VPN to your liking . To do this, go to your profile, press the gear in the top right corner and configure your VPN connection as you wish. We emphasize that this last point is optional, you can use the QUICK CONNECTION, which is just as secure.
Set up a VPN on Android from Settings
On the other hand, we will show you how to configure a VPN on Android from the settings. It seems more complicated than it is, but we will go step by step. The first thing is to access the terminal settings. Once there, you will see several sections. Their names depend on the model of the mobile; however, in most there will be one called ‘Connection and sharing’ , ‘Connections’ or something similar.
After accessing it, we will find a subsection called ‘VPN’ . However, if we do not find it, we can directly search for ‘VPN’ in the settings search engine, to be redirected to it directly.
Following this tutorial on how to configure a VPN on Android, the next step is to enter the VPN section and select ‘Add VPN’ . Now it’s time to fill in the VPN details, which you should have on hand to enter. They are as follows:
- Name – The name under which the VPN for Android will appear.
- Type : The type of server you will be using. There are several types.
- Server Address : The server we will connect to.
- Username : Your username on the VPN.
- Password : The password for your username.
Aside from these options for setting up a VPN on your mobile, there are also advanced options , which you can choose to fill in or leave as is.
With all of this set up, simply go back to the VPN menu and check the VPN box . This is the final step of how to set up a VPN on Android. You can now browse the Internet anonymously and privately and connect to the server of the country you want to access its content or benefits.