Wondering how to disable a VPN on different devices? Check out our easy-to-follow guide!
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a useful tool that prevents cybercriminals and corporations from getting their hands on your personal data. It also enables you to access geo-restricted content, save money when shopping online, and so much more.
Every major VPN service today offers unlimited bandwidth, meaning you can leave it on at all times. But there may be instances where you’d want to disable it for a short time period. Read on to learn how you turn off a VPN on any device.
While we recommend keeping your VPN on as much as possible, there are some situations in which you need to switch it off temporarily. These include, but are not limited to:
Related Read: How to Increase VPN Speed – 9 Ways to Make Your VPN Faster
Most VPNs provide apps and software for all major devices to make setup and connection a breezy affair. If you’ve installed the client on your iOS, Windows, Android, or macOS device, simply launch it and click or tap the same button you used to turn it on.
Depending on the provider you use, it will read something like Stop, Disconnect, or Turn Off. However, the purpose is the same (to disable your VPN connection). For Linux VPNs with GUIs (graphical user interfaces), the process will be the same, though you will have to refer to the service’s documentation to turn off those using CLIs (command line interfaces).
Keep in mind that the steps might vary depending on the version of OS you’re using on your phone or computer:
It barely takes a few seconds to disable a VPN on Windows PCs.
Turning off a VPN on Android phones isn’t rocket science, either. Just follow these simple steps:
A few clicks are all it takes to turn off a VPN on macOS computers. Here’s how to go about it:
Disabling a VPN on iOS phones or tablets is straightforward as well. Just follow these easy instructions:
If you’re using a VPN on Fire Stick or Fire TV, you’ve either downloaded its app from the Amazon Appstore, or sideloaded it from a third-party source. Either way, the only way to activate a VPN on Fire Stick/Fire TV is via its app – and that’s exactly you’ll disable it, too. All you have to do is:
Smart TVs typically don’t let you install apps, unless they’re using Android TV OS. In this case, you’re going to have to download the VPN from Google’s Play Store. The process of turning off a VPN is no different than activating it, so here’s what you need to:
You must reset the factory settings to turn off a VPN on Roku devices. Here’s how: Launch the Services option and select Disable under the Start OpenVPN client section. The rest of the Roku settings will be unaltered, and you can turn off a VPN whenever you want.
It depends on what you’re looking to do online. You’ll need a VPN if you want to:
Not really. Even if you’re connected to your home Wi-Fi network, your ISP can still view what you’re up to online. Therefore, if there’s anything you don’t want your ISP to see, make sure your VPN is activated before you engage in those activities.
When you disable your VPN, your traffic will no longer be protected by encryption and can be intercepted by anyone. The real location of your device is also going to be visible to sites, meaning you won’t be able to stream unavailable content.
The answer to your question depends on how you use the VPN. If you use it purely for protection, then it’s advisable to always leave it on.
A VPN encrypts all your traffic, so it protects you from unwanted intruders that try to snoop on your data.
But if you are concerned about your privacy, then activating it when you need to is smart. It’s good to have a second layer of security, but it’s also important to keep your VPN off when you don’t need it.