This tutorial will show you how to set up the ExpressVPN app on iOS 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, and 12.

Note: As Apple no longer supports older iOS versions with security updates, ExpressVPN has subsequently reduced app support for iOS 12, iOS 13, and iOS 14 since August 7, 2023.The ExpressVPN app will continue to work normally on your iOS 12, iOS 13, or iOS 14. However, it will not receive any new features, bug fixes, or security updates.To ensure you receive the latest security and feature updates on the ExpressVPN app, upgrade to iOS 15 or later. You can find more information here.

Not yet a customer? Read more about VPN for iOS.


Jump to…

Download the VPN app
Set up the VPN app
Connect to a VPN server location
Disconnect from a VPN server location
Connect to a different VPN server location
Switch to a different VPN protocol
Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites
Reconnect to the server if the app disconnects
Reinstall your VPN configuration
Change languages in the ExpressVPN iOS app
Access support articles in the app
Uninstall the app


Download the VPN app

Go to the App Store and search for ExpressVPN.

Search for ExpressVPN in the app store.

Tap GET.

Tap "GET."

The ExpressVPN app will be downloaded to your phone.

If you do not see the ExpressVPN app in your App Store, try changing your App Store country.

After the app has finished downloading, tap OPEN to launch the ExpressVPN app.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Set up the VPN app

On the app’s welcome screen, tap Sign In.

Tap "Sign In."

  • If you did NOT purchase your ExpressVPN subscription from the App Store: Enter the email address and password associated with your ExpressVPN account. Tap Sign In.
  • If you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription from the App Store: Tap restore your App Store subscription. You may receive an iOS prompt to enter your Apple ID password.

Choose your signin method to proceed.

You will see a statement detailing the information collected by the ExpressVPN app. Tap Agree and Continue to proceed.

Tap "Agree and Continue."

You will be invited to set up your VPN. Tap Continue to proceed with the installation.

To set up your VPN, tap "Continue."

The app will notify you: ‘ “ExpressVPN” Would Like to Add VPN Configurations.’ Tap Allow.

When prompted to add VPN configurations, tap "Allow."

Use your Touch ID or enter your passcode to add the VPN configurations.

Use your Touch ID or enter your passcode on your phone.

ExpressVPN will ask if you’d like to be notified of important announcements and alerts. Select your preference to continue.

Select your preference for giving permission to receive notifications.

If you selected OK, tap Allow to confirm you’d like to receive notifications from the ExpressVPN app.

If you agreed to receive notifications, select "Allow" to receive notifications.

Your app will ask you if you’d like to share anonymous analytics to help make ExpressVPN faster and more reliable. Select your preference to continue.

Select your preference for helping improve ExpressVPN.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a VPN server location

To connect to a VPN server location, tap On button.. By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the optimal experience for you, called Smart Location.

To connect, tap the On Button.

Once you see the Connected message on the app screen, you can begin browsing with freedom and security!

You are connected to ExpressVPN.

Note: With a single ExpressVPN subscription, you can connect to the VPN on up to eight different devices at the same time, regardless of platform. If you try to connect to more than eight devices at once, you will see this screen:

If you try to connect more than five devices simultaneously, you will see a screen that says, "Connection limit reached."

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from a VPN server location, tap On button. while the VPN is on.

Tap the On Button to disconnect.

You will know you are disconnected when the screen says, “Not connected.”

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a different VPN server location

To connect to a different server location, tap More icon..

Note: The first time you try to change locations while connected to VPN, you will get a warning stating your internet traffic may be unsecure during reconnection. Click Continue to proceed.

Tap the Location Picker.

Tap the new server location you would like to connect to.

The "Recommended" tab shows you ExpressVPN’s top picks for you.

ExpressVPN will automatically connect you to the selected server location.

To add a location to your list of favorite locations, swipe right on it. You can access your favorite locations in the Favorites tab.

To add a location to your favorites, swipe right on it.

To remove a location from your list of favorites, swipe right on it.

To remove a location from your favorites, swipe right on it again.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Switch to a different VPN protocol

Important: Disconnect from the VPN before switching to another protocol.

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server. For the best experience, ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol option. This is selected by default and automatically picks the protocol most appropriate for your network.

In some cases, switching to a different protocol may help you achieve faster connection speeds.

To switch to a different protocol:

Tap Options.

Tap Settings > VPN Protocol.

Tap "VPN Protocol."

Your current protocol is indicated with a check mark. To change to another protocol, tap the protocol of your choice.

Tap the protocol of your choice.

Important: To use Lightway, you must use Version 11 (or above) of the ExpressVPN iOS app. This requires iOS 12 or above.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites

Customize your online experience and take back control over what companies know about you. You can block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content from within the ExpressVPN app in just a few taps.

A lot of the apps and websites you visit keep a record of and share your activity with third-party companies, including trackers, scammers, and malware sites. This information is used to serve you more targeted ads and content, usually without your knowledge or permission.

These advanced protection features prevent all apps and websites you visit on your device from communicating with the third-party companies in our open-source blocklists.

Advanced protection features are disabled by default. To enable them:

  1. Make sure to connect to the VPN and use the Automatic or Lightway protocol.
  2. Tap Options > Settings > Advanced Protection.
  3. Toggle the settings on.

Advanced Protection settings on the ExpressVPN app for iOS.

Read more about ExpressVPN’s advanced protection features.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Reconnect to the server if the app disconnects

If your device’s screen has been turned off for a while, the ExpressVPN app might disconnect.

To connect again, open the app and connect to your preferred VPN server location.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Reinstall your VPN configuration

If the app gives you an unexpected error, you may need to reinstall your ExpressVPN configuration.

Tap Options.

Tap Settings > Reinstall VPN Configuration.

Tap "Reinstall VPN Configuration."

A notification will pop up. Tap Allow.

Tap "Allow."

The app will notify you: ‘ “ExpressVPN” Would Like to Add VPN Configurations.’ Tap Allow to continue.

When prompted to add VPN configurations, tap "Allow."

Use your Touch ID or enter your passcode to add the VPN configurations.

Use your Touch ID or enter your passcode on your phone.

Your VPN configuration will be reinstalled now.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Change languages in the ExpressVPN iOS app

Tap Options.

Tap Settings > Language.

Tap "Language."

Select the language you want to use.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Access support articles in the app

You can now access support articles within the ExpressVPN app.

Tap Help.

Tap a category to select an in-app support article.

Tap a category to select an in-app support article.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Uninstall the app

To remove ExpressVPN from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, tap and hold the ExpressVPN icon until the app icons vibrate. Tap Delete App.

Tap "Delete App."

Tap Delete to remove the app.

Tap "Delete" to remove the app.

The app is now deleted from your device.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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