A VPN is part of a network architecture in which devices reroute their internet traffic through a computer or server. This gives the illusion that the traffic is coming from the specified server/computer, and not from your own device.
VPN’s are used by people for hiding their real-time location and accessing geo-specific content if they don’t meet requirements. One example is Netflix; some shows which may be available in the USA might not be available in Germany.
There are two ways through which you can set up a VPN on your Android device. You can either enter the VPN credentials provided by your organization or you can use third-party applications to do the job. If you are using the VPN for personal use, you will probably use third-party applications.
Method 1: Setting up VPN through Android Settings
If you are given a VPN from your organization or you have credentials from some other subscription, you can easily use these details to setup VPN on your smartphone directly from Android settings. However, if you are planning to use some third-party application for using the VPN, you can refer to the second solution.
- Launch your phone’s Settings and click on Connections. Some steps or names might vary because of your Android version but the procedure and order of steps are the same.
- Now navigate to the bottom of connection settings and click More connection settings.
- Now somewhere near the bottom of the screen, you will see the option of VPN. Open it.
- If you haven’t set a VPN before on your Android device, you will see a blank screen with the message ‘No VPNs’. Click on Add VPN present at the top-right side of the screen.
- Now you will come across a new screen consisting of various fields. Fill them out according to the information you have been provided by your organization or the company. Save changes after you are done.
- Now attempt at connecting to the VPN. If you are successful, you will be displayed an icon on your notification bar telling you at all times that the VPN is working and is connected.
Method 2: Using third-party applications (CyberGhost VPN)
If you want to use a VPN for your personal use, you can use several third-party applications available on Android’s Play Store. We came across one VPN which outperformed others in usability and reliability. CyberGhost VPN is one of the top VPNs in the Android market with support in Windows, MAC, iDevices, and Android. We have listed the steps on how to use the VPN and how to check whether your VPN is connected properly or not.
- Click (here) to get Cyberghost VPN and then install it on your device.
- When you launch the VPN for the first time, you will be prompted to allow VPN access to the application. Simply click Allow VPN Access and OK when a permissions dialogue box pops up.
- By default, the location of the VPN is set as the nearest point near your actual location. You can change it and select any country. This country will be forwarding your internet traffic and because of this, it would appear as if the traffic is indeed being generated from the target location (instead of your actual location).
- After you select the location, the VPN will automatically connect and show a successful connection on your screen.
How can I confirm that the VPN is connected?
There are two ways through which you can indeed confirm that you are connected to a VPN. First of all, you should always look for a key icon on your notification bar. This goes for both Solution 1 and 2. Whenever you are connected to a VPN, Android will display an icon on your notification bar informing you.
To confirm whether the VPN is working correctly and your location is indeed masked, you can easily access IP checker websites from the internet who will provide details on your IP address and the current location from where the data is being transmitted. One of these websites is Whatismyipaddress. As you can see, the location we selected in CyberGhost was the USA and our location is indeed masked successfully.
