How To Change Your VPN on iPhone: Step‑by‑Step Guide

Changing your VPN on an iPhone can mean a few different things: switching between VPN apps, changing servers inside one app, or adjusting the built‑in VPN settings in iOS. The good news is that all of this is handled in a few places and follows the same basic pattern.

This guide walks through how VPNs work on iPhone, where to find the settings, and what really changes when you tap that “On/Off” switch.

What “Changing Your VPN” Actually Means on iPhone

On an iPhone, VPN (Virtual Private Network) support is built into iOS. Third‑party VPN apps simply plug into that system.

“Changing your VPN” can be any of these:

• Changing the active VPN app
  Example: stop using VPN App A and start using VPN App B.

• Changing the VPN server / location
  Example: switching from a server in New York to one in London within the same app.

• Changing the VPN protocol or configuration
  Example: switching from IKEv2 to WireGuard (if your app supports it).

• Changing VPN settings in iOS
  Example: turning “Connect On Demand” on or off so the VPN connects automatically.

Each of these changes is done either:

• Inside the VPN app itself
• Or in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN on your iPhone

Understanding which one you’re changing helps you know where to tap.

How to Switch VPNs Using iOS Settings

If you have multiple VPNs installed, iOS lets you choose which one is active.

1. Find your VPN settings

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap VPN & Device Management.
4. Tap VPN.

Here you’ll see:

• A list of VPN configurations (often named after the app or provider)
• A main Status switch (Connected / Not Connected)

2. Select a different VPN configuration

If more than one VPN is installed:

1. In the VPN list, tap the radio button (i) or name next to the VPN you want to use so it’s selected.
2. Go back to the main VPN screen.
3. Toggle Status to On (or tap the VPN name toggle at the top in some iOS versions).

Only one VPN can be active at a time. Choosing a new configuration and turning it on will disconnect the previous one.

3. Quickly toggle VPN on/off

There’s also a faster way to change your VPN state:

• Open Settings.
• Near the top, you may see a VPN switch (depending on iOS version and configuration).
• Turn it On or Off to connect or disconnect the last‑used VPN.

This doesn’t change which VPN you’re using; it only turns the currently selected one on or off.

How to Change VPN Server or Location in an App

Most people “change VPN” by switching the server location, not by changing the entire VPN service. That happens inside your VPN app.

While exact layouts differ, the steps are usually similar:

1. Open your VPN app.
2. Look for a map, country list, or button labeled something like:
   • Locations
   • Servers
   • Countries
   • City list
3. Tap a country or city you want to connect to.
4. Tap Connect (or the big power button icon).

The app will:

• Disconnect from the old server
• Connect to the new one
• Tell iOS to route your traffic through that new VPN configuration

Some apps also let you pick specialized servers (e.g., streaming, P2P, double VPN). Those are still just different server choices from iOS’s perspective.

How to Add, Edit, or Remove VPN Configurations in iOS

Sometimes you might receive manual VPN settings from work or school, or you might want to clean up old entries.

Add a manual VPN configuration

If you’ve been given VPN settings (server address, username, etc.):

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN.
2. Tap Add VPN Configuration….
3. Choose the Type (e.g., IKEv2, IPSec, L2TP) based on the info you were given.
4. Enter the:
   • Description (any name you like)
   • Server address
   • Remote ID / Local ID (if required)
   • Authentication info (username/password, certificate, or shared secret)
5. Tap Done.
6. Select your new configuration and turn Status on to connect.

This is common for corporate or school VPNs, not as common for consumer VPN apps (they usually configure themselves automatically).

Edit a VPN configuration

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN.
2. Tap the (i) icon next to the VPN you want to change.
3. Adjust fields (server address, account name, etc.) as needed.
4. Tap Done.

Remove a VPN configuration

1. In the same list, tap (i) next to the VPN.
2. Tap Delete VPN.
3. Confirm.

This only removes the configuration from iOS; it doesn’t cancel any subscription you might have with the provider.

Changing VPN Auto‑Connect and On‑Demand Settings

A big part of “how your VPN behaves” is whether it connects automatically.

Using iOS’s built‑in options

For manually configured (non‑app) VPNs:

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN.
2. Tap (i) next to the VPN.
3. Look for Connect On Demand.
4. Toggle:
   • On if you want iOS to automatically connect the VPN when needed.
   • Off if you want to connect manually.

Not all types or profiles show this option, and many consumer VPN apps manage auto‑connect inside the app instead.

Using options inside your VPN app

Many apps provide their own automation, such as:

• Auto‑connect on Wi‑Fi
• Auto‑connect on unsecured networks
• Always‑on VPN

Those settings live in the app’s Settings or Preferences, and then the app coordinates with iOS to keep the VPN active under those rules.

Key Variables That Change How VPN Works on Your iPhone

The experience of changing or using a VPN isn’t identical for everyone. Several factors affect what you see and how it behaves.

1. iOS version and iPhone model

• Newer iOS versions may:
  • Present the VPN settings in slightly different menus.
  • Add or remove certain protocol support over time.
• Older devices may:
  • Connect more slowly.
  • Struggle with CPU‑heavy protocols at high speeds.

2. How the VPN is set up

There are a few common setup types:

Depending on which you have, “changing VPN” might be done mostly in the app or mostly in Settings.

3. Network conditions and ISP behavior

Your connection quality can change:

• Latency (delay)
  Longer when connecting to far‑away servers.

• Speed
  A VPN adds encryption overhead and may slow your fastest possible speeds.

• Stability
  Some networks (public Wi‑Fi, corporate firewalls) interfere with certain VPN protocols or ports, so switching server or protocol in the app can make a big difference.

4. VPN protocol and encryption level

Your VPN provider or profile may support different protocols, such as:

• IKEv2
• OpenVPN
• WireGuard
• Proprietary variants (names differ per app)

Switching protocol (inside the app or configuration) can change:

• Connection speed
• Battery usage
• How reliably it connects on certain networks

On iOS, protocol choice is usually controlled by the VPN app or the manual profile you’re given.

5. Your use case

Why you’re using a VPN affects what “changing it” actually means for you:

• Want lower lag for gaming? You might change to a closer server.
• Want content from another region? You might change to a server in that specific country.
• Want privacy on public Wi‑Fi? Any reliable, nearby server might be fine, and you may care more about auto‑connect settings.

Different User Profiles, Different VPN Behaviors

People often approach VPNs on iPhone in very different ways. The same “Change VPN” steps can be part of very different routines.

1. “Set it and forget it” privacy user

• Installs a VPN app
• Chooses auto‑connect for all networks
• Rarely changes server
  Only occasionally toggles it off if there’s a speed issue or app conflict.

For this person, “changing VPN” usually means switching it off briefly or picking a closer server.

2. Region‑hopper / streaming user

• Picks servers based on content library or region
• Changes location often (e.g., US today, UK tomorrow)
• Notices how different servers impact speed and app behavior

Here, “changing VPN” is mostly done through the location list inside the app, not through iOS settings.

3. Remote worker using a corporate VPN

• Uses a profile given by IT (often IKEv2/IPSec)
• Connects only during work hours
• May also have a separate personal VPN app

“Changing VPN” might mean switching between work VPN and personal VPN in the iOS list, following whatever rules their company has.

4. Power user or traveler

• Installs multiple VPN apps
• Chooses protocols and servers carefully
• Adjusts auto‑connect rules for different networks

For this person, changing VPN can mean:

• Picking a different app in the iOS VPN list
• Changing protocols in the app
• Using or disabling On Demand depending on where they are

Why Your Own Setup Is the Missing Piece

The basic actions to change your VPN on iPhone are straightforward:

• Use Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN to pick which VPN is active.
• Use your VPN app to change servers, locations, or protocols.
• Adjust auto‑connect or On Demand options to control when it turns on.

What’s not built into those steps is how you should combine them for your situation. That depends on things like:

• Whether you use a work VPN, a personal VPN, or both
• How many VPN apps you’ve installed and how they’re configured
• Your network conditions (home Wi‑Fi vs. commuting vs. frequent travel)
• Your priorities: speed, privacy, region access, battery life

Once you know where the controls are in iOS and in your VPN app, the final question is how to tune those switches and server choices to match the way you actually use your iPhone day to day.