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How to use a VPN: set it up and connect, step by step
How to use a VPN, from choosing a plan to your first connection: setting up the app, picking a location, connecting, and checking that it works.
Key points
- Most VPN services work the same way: buy a plan, install the provider’s app, sign in, pick a location, connect.
- After connecting, check with the IP check that your address and country changed.
- Turn on the app’s kill switch if it has one, so your real address does not show when the connection drops.
The steps
- Choose a provider and a plan. Note the price after the first term and the refund period. The provider pages list both, as the pricing pages state them.
- Create an account and pay. Some providers accept anonymous payment methods; check their pricing page.
- Install the app from the provider’s website or your device’s app store. Phones and computers also have basic VPN settings built in, but most providers offer their own app.
- Sign in and allow the VPN. Your phone or computer will ask for permission to add a VPN configuration. This is normal.
- Pick a location. Choose the country you need. A nearby location is usually faster.
- Connect. The app shows when the tunnel is up. On phones, a small VPN symbol appears in the status bar.
- Check it. Open the IP check: the address and the country should be those of the VPN server.
What happens when you connect
- Your deviceapp builds the tunnel
- VPN serveryou picked its location
- Websitesees the server address
Everything your device sends goes through the tunnel while the VPN is on.
Settings worth turning on
| Setting | What it does | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | blocks the internet when the VPN connection drops | app settings, often “network lock” |
| Start on boot | connects automatically when the device starts | app settings |
| Auto-connect on Wi-Fi | connects on networks you do not trust | app settings |
| Split tunneling | lets single apps bypass the VPN | app settings, not in every app |
The glossary explains each term. Whether these settings work is not tested on this site.
Picking a location: a quick tip
The country in the app is the country the provider lists. For many locations it marks the server as virtual, which means it stands elsewhere. In this archive, providers mark 430 of 1,673 locations as virtual. If you need a server in a country, check the provider’s page on this site first.
If the IP check still shows your own country, read Is my VPN working? for three quick checks.
Next step
Read Should your VPN be on all the time? to decide when to keep it on.
The figures in this guide come from the archive and change with every data update. As of October 17, 2026.