While Apple's Private Relay is on the way, not everyone may want to sign up for iCloud+ to get its benefits, or even to wait for it to arrive. Here's how to set your iPhone or iPad to use a VPN right now.
Apple introduced its Private Relay service as part of its iCloud bundle, which will include other items such as Hide My Email, with the ultimate goal of making web browsing safer and more private for iPhone and iPad users.
However, while Private Relay is an important element, it could be argued that many users could already be enjoying enhanced online privacy and security by using a VPN service. Since Apple has included the ability to add a VPN connection to iOS and iPadOS for quite a while, it may be worth exploring adding a VPN separately, ahead of Apple's rollout of the service.
What is a VPN, and why should I use one?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection is basically a way to funnel your Internet connection through a specific online gateway. As the data from your device is encrypted before being sent to the VPN service, and vice versa, the encrypted data is kept private and secure from prying by anyone trying to listen in to the connection.
This may seem to be excessive for home network users, but it could be extremely useful in public places.
For example, say you are connecting to a Wi-Fi network at a cafe that's offered free to customers, but the Wi-Fi access point is actually malicious. The access point could be used for a man-in-the-middle attack, listening in to unencrypted or openly transmitted data, all without the customer's knowledge.
By using a VPN, once the encrypted connection is established, such MITM attacks simply won't work, as everything passing through the access point remains encrypted and out of reach.
There's also the security and utility of having your connection appear to stem from another city or another country, with a VPN able to mask your real location.
This has a byproduct of also allowing users to access websites as if they are based in different countries, changing the experience and potentially allowing access to content that could be blocked in specific territories.
VPN vs Private Relay
Apple's Private Relay service is, effectively, a VPN but with a further enhanced level of privacy. Like a normal VPN, Private Relay encrypts the user's web traffic and funnels it through a gateway, giving all of the security and privacy benefits a VPN can offer.
However, Apple adds in the use of multiple secure proxies run by as-yet-unnamed third party firms. The system encrypts data in such a way that Apple can know the identity of the user but not the servers or content they are viewing online.
This data is then passed to the third-party service Apple has partnered with, which can decrypt enough to determine the data the user has requested, albeit without knowing the identity of the user.
By Apple knowing the customer's identity but not what they want, and the third-party service knowing what the user wants but not the user's identity, this in theory means there's less data for tracking services to use for fingerprinting connections, as well as making it more secure for end users.
Though Apple has explained how secure its service will be, there is the problem of users needing to trust the system functions as described, and that there isn't any collusion with the unknown third-party service to combine the datapoints for a complete picture of the user's surfing habits.
For those who don't necessarily trust the new system, there's always other third-party services they can use. However, the same questions about trust can be raised over VPN providers, as again there's no guarantee that the VPN is being operated honestly and with good intentions.
Ultimately, it all comes down to user trust.
Selecting a VPN
The first thing you need to do is to have details of a VPN service you want to use. A quick check in a search engine will reveal there are many different services on the market that offer VPNs, including some that are free.
While a free VPN may seem like a good thing for a one-off trial or infrequent usage, be extremely wary of them, as it's plausible that the service isn't providing important elements like secure encryption, or may be limited in some way. There's also a chance that the free VPN you're using is actually a bad actor, monitoring your data passing through the connection, or worse.
Remember that even a free service has to earn money somehow, and while advertising is the obvious method, it can easily be your data that's being sold on to third parties.
As for paid VPN services, there's also quite a few things to look out for.
First, check out the privacy and security of the service. Make sure it's using at least 256-bit encryption, and look out for assurances that there's no logging of your activity. You may also want to check the privacy policies of the services you want to use for any tracking-based language.
Other things to look out for are quality-of-life elements, such as if there are data caps, if the data allowance is sufficiently large enough, the number of locations you could pass your traffic through, the number of devices you can have on a plan, and the connection speed.
Popular VPN options include:
Consumer VPN setup
The easiest way to get started with a VPN is to use the service's app. Once you have set up the account with them, including payments if required, you will then have to open the app up, authenticate, and then follow the app's procedure to set up the VPN on your iPhone or iPad.
While the initial setup will vary depending on the app and the service, the process of telling iOS and iPadOS to enable the VPN is the same across the board. Typically after you select to connect to a location, you will be warned that the app will need to install a new VPN profile on the device.
The process of adding a VPN is quite straightforward via a service's app.
This will bring up a new notification stating the VPN "Would like to add VPN Configurations," and advising the network activity could be "filtered or monitored" when using the VPN. Click Allow.
You will then be prompted to enter your passcode to add the VPN configurations. Once authenticated, the VPN will complete the setup and your connection will be passing through your chosen service.
Screens for switching between multiple VPNs, and to manually add a profile.
You can tell that you're connected through a VPN by seeing the VPN icon briefly appearing in the top-right corner of the display. You can also bring down Control Center and see the icon there, next to other connectivity icons.
Manual VPN configuration
If you have to use a company-supplied VPN for work, you can set it up within the iPhone and iPad's Settings menu.
How to manually set up a VPN in iOS and iPadOS
- Open Settings
- Tap General, then VPN
- Tap Add VPN Configurations
- Tap Type and select the type of VPN you are going to configure, then Add Configurations
- Enter the rest of the information that you will need for the connection, such as the server address, account name and password details, Remote and Local IDs, and whether there's a proxy in use.
- Once the details have been added, click Done.
Managing your VPNs.
If you're using a service's app, there's usually options to enable and disable the VPN inside, but Apple also includes the option to enable and disable a VPN within the Settings app. The same section can also be used to manage if you have multiple VPNs operating, and to delete the VPN.
How to turn VPNs on and off within iOS and iPadOS
- Open Settings
- Tap General, then VPN.
- Next to Status, tap the toggle switch.
There is also a chance that the installed VPN may prevent you from turning it off via the toggle. This may be because the VPN's profile is set to automatically enable itself when a data connection is required.
The same screen showing details about the VPN connection can also be used to delete the profile from your device.
To disable this, tap the information circle icon next to the VPN to bring up more information about the VPN's settings. If the toggle next to Connect On Demand is green, tap it to turn it off.
How to switch between installed VPN profiles in iOS and iPadOS
- Open Settings
- Tap General, then VPN.
- Tap the VPN you want to use.
How to delete the VPN configuration from iOS and iPadOS
- Open Settings
- Tap General, then VPN.
- Tap the information circle icon next to the VPN you want to remove.
- Tap Delete VPN.
- On the notification box, tap Delete.
Bear in mind this will delete the installed VPN profile, but any VPN apps will remain installed on your device.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Private Relay and VPNs: Enhancing Online Privacy and Security
Private Relay is a new service introduced by Apple as part of its iCloud bundle, aimed at making web browsing safer and more private for iPhone and iPad users. However, users who do not want to wait for Private Relay or sign up for iCloud+ can still enhance their online privacy and security by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service [[1]].
What is a VPN and why should I use one?
A VPN is a connection that allows you to route your internet traffic through a specific online gateway, encrypting the data from your device and keeping it private and secure from potential eavesdroppers. While this may seem excessive for home network users, it can be extremely useful in public places, such as cafes with free Wi-Fi, where malicious actors could attempt to intercept unencrypted data [[1]].
Using a VPN provides several benefits, including:
- Enhanced Security: By establishing an encrypted connection, a VPN protects against man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker intercepts and listens to unencrypted data passing through the access point [[1]].
- Anonymity and Privacy: A VPN allows your connection to appear as if it originates from another city or country, masking your real location. This can provide additional security and privacy, as well as enable access to content that may be blocked in specific territories [[1]].
VPN vs Private Relay
While Private Relay is essentially a VPN, it offers an enhanced level of privacy. Private Relay encrypts the user's web traffic and funnels it through a gateway, providing the same security and privacy benefits as a VPN. However, Apple adds an additional layer of privacy by using multiple secure proxies operated by third-party firms. This system allows Apple to know the user's identity without knowing the servers or content they are viewing, while the third-party service knows what the user wants without knowing their identity. This setup aims to reduce data available for tracking and enhance security for end users [[1]].
Selecting a VPN
When selecting a VPN service, it is important to consider several factors:
- Security and Privacy: Look for a VPN service that uses at least 256-bit encryption and has a no-logging policy to ensure your activity is not being tracked or recorded [[1]].
- Quality-of-Life Elements: Consider factors such as data caps, data allowance, the number of locations available, the number of devices allowed, and connection speed [[1]].
Popular VPN options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark [[1]].
Setting up a VPN on iPhone or iPad
The easiest way to set up a VPN is to use the service's app. After setting up an account and installing the app, follow the app's procedure to set up the VPN on your device. The process may vary depending on the app and service, but enabling the VPN in iOS and iPadOS is the same across the board. Typically, you will be prompted to install a new VPN profile on your device, and after authentication, the VPN will be set up and your connection will pass through the chosen service [[1]].
If you need to use a company-supplied VPN for work, you can set it up within the iPhone and iPad's Settings menu. This involves manually configuring the VPN by entering the necessary information, such as server address, account name, and password details [[1]].
Managing VPNs
Once a VPN is set up, you can manage it within the Settings app. This includes enabling or disabling the VPN, managing multiple VPNs, and deleting VPN profiles. The VPN status can be toggled on or off in the General > VPN section of the Settings app. If a VPN profile prevents you from turning it off, you can adjust the settings to disable automatic connection. To switch between installed VPN profiles or delete a VPN configuration, navigate to the General > VPN section in the Settings app [[1]].
Remember that user trust is essential when using VPN services or Private Relay. It is important to choose reputable providers and review their privacy and security policies to ensure your data is handled responsibly [[1]].
Overall, using a VPN can provide an immediate solution for enhancing online privacy and security on your iPhone or iPad while waiting for Apple's Private Relay service to become available [[1]].
