Using a VPN on your iPhone or iPad is one of the best ways to protect your privacy and security when accessing the internet. With the right VPN, you can encrypt your web traffic, hide your IP address, bypass geographic restrictions, prevent tracking, and more.
But with so many VPNs to choose from, how do you know which one is the best for iPhone and iOS? I extensively tested numerous top VPNs to determine the best option for Apple devices based on factors like speed, security, price, and ease of use.
After all my testing, I found Surfshark VPN to be the best VPN for iPhone and iOS for most users. In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain exactly how to install and set up Surfshark on your iPhone or iPad for optimal security and performance.
Here‘s an overview of what I‘ll cover:
- The benefits of using a VPN on iPhone and iOS
- Why Surfshark is the best VPN for Apple devices
- Step-by-step instructions for installing Surfshark on iPhone/iPad
- How to configure Surfshark VPN settings for optimal use
- VPN protocols supported by Surfshark on iOS
- Answers to frequently asked questions about Surfshark for iPhone
Let‘s get started!
Why Use a VPN on iPhone and iOS?
Here are the main benefits of using a VPN on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:
1. Encrypt Web Traffic
A VPN encrypts all of the data you send and receive when connected to the internet. This prevents hackers, ISPs, and governments from being able to see your web traffic and sensitive information like passwords, emails, and credit card numbers.
2. Hide Your IP Address
Your real IP address can be used to identify your location and track your online activities. A VPN masks your IP address so that websites only see the IP address of the VPN server you‘re connected to, keeping your identity private.
3. Bypass Geographic Restrictions
VPNs allow you to spoof your location by connecting to servers in different countries. This makes it easy to access region-locked streaming content, sports events, and other geo-restricted sites outside of your actual location.
4. Prevent Price Discrimination
Some websites may charge you higher prices based on your location when you visit without a VPN. Connecting through a VPN hides where you‘re really located so you avoid location-based price hikes.
5. Stop ISP Throttling
Your ISP can see how much bandwidth you use and intentionally slow down your speeds for streaming video, torrenting, and other data-heavy activities. A VPN prevents them from seeing your internet usage and throttling your connection speeds.
6. Wi-Fi Security
Public Wi-Fi is often unsafe and easy for hackers to snoop on. A VPN gives you a secure, encrypted tunnel for your traffic so that public hotspots don‘t put your data at risk.
Using a high-quality VPN like Surfshark is the most effective way to get all of these key privacy and security protections on your iPhone or iPad.
Why Surfshark is the Best VPN for iPhone
I compared and tested Surfshark against top competitors like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access, and others. Here‘s why Surfshark stood out as the best VPN for iPhone and iOS:
Lightning-Fast Speeds
In my speed tests, Surfshark had minimal impact on connection speeds – websites loaded quickly and streaming was smooth in HD with no buffering. Surfshark has thousands of high-speed servers optimized for fast performance.
Watertight Security
Surfshark uses top-tier AES-256 encryption plus protocols like OpenVPN UDP/TCP and WireGuard to protect your privacy. It also offers added features like a kill switch, multi-hop connections, and private DNS.
Affordable Pricing
You can get Surfshark for as little as $2.30/month, an incredible value compared to most competitors. Plans allow unlimited device connections too.
User-Friendly Apps
Surfshark offers dedicated apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and more. The iOS app is intuitive, responsive, and makes it easy to connect to the optimal server location.
Works in Restricted Regions
Users in countries like China and Russia where VPNs are often blocked report that Surfshark consistently bypasses government firewalls and censorship tools.
Zero Logging Policy
Surfshark doesn‘t log any user activity or connection data – you get complete anonymity. The company is located outside of Five Eyes surveillance networks as well.
With its rare combination of speed, security, reliability, affordability, and ease of use, Surfshark simply offered the best overall value compared to all other iPhone VPN options I looked at.
Step 1: Install Surfshark VPN on iPhone or iPad
Once you‘ve signed up for a Surfshark account, installing their VPN app on your iPhone or iPad takes just a minute:
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On your iOS device, open the App Store.
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Search for "Surfshark VPN" and tap the result.
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Tap Get and then Install.
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Enter your App Store credentials if prompted.
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Wait for the Surfshark app to finish downloading and installing.
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Find the Surfshark app icon on your home screen and tap to open it.
That‘s all it takes! You‘re now ready to configure your connection.
Step 2: Configure Your Surfshark VPN Connection
Launching the Surfshark app for the first time walks you through getting connected:
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Tap Log In and enter your Surfshark credentials.
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Choose a server location – I recommend picking a location nearby for the fastest speeds.
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Tap Connect to establish the encrypted VPN tunnel.
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Tap Allow on the VPN prompt to permit the VPN connection.
Once connected, you‘ll see confirmation you‘re protected by Surfshark VPN:
You can tap the power icon to quickly disconnect or reconnect the VPN as needed.
By default, Surfshark will connect automatically when you access the internet on Wi-Fi or cellular data for full-time protection.
Next, let‘s look at some key settings you can configure.
Surfshark VPN Settings on iOS
The Surfshark app for iOS offers several useful settings to customize your VPN experience:
1. MultiHop
MultiHop lets you route through multiple VPN servers for enhanced privacy and security. Just toggle MultiHop on in the app settings.
2. Whitelister
Whitelister allows you to exclude certain apps from connecting via the VPN tunnel. Toggle apps on or off here as desired.
3. CleanWeb
CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware when connected to Surfshark for safer web browsing. You can disable this if it causes any website issues.
4. Protocol
Change the VPN protocol under Advanced Settings – WireGuard offers the fastest speeds, OpenVPN is highly secure.
5. Kill Switch
Activating the kill switch will block all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops to prevent data leaks.
6. NoBorders Mode
NoBorders maintains your VPN connection across international borders and during network changes. Leave this enabled.
Take some time to review each setting to configure Surfshark to your preferences for the best VPN experience on your iPhone or iPad.
What VPN Protocols Does Surfshark offer on iOS?
Surfshark provides three options for VPN protocols on iPhone and iPad under the app‘s Advanced Settings:
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WireGuard – Offers the fastest speeds with low battery drain. Great all-around choice.
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OpenVPN UDP – Quick speeds with some packet loss recovery tradeoff. Useful for streaming.
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OpenVPN TCP – Slower but highest reliability. Recommended for activities like banking.
I suggest WireGuard as the best protocol for most iOS users, but feel free to test out each protocol yourself – switching between them is quick and easy in the Surfshark app.
Can I Use Surfshark on Multiple Devices?
A major advantage of Surfshark is that a single account supports unlimited device connections.
So you can use the same Surfshark subscription to protect all your Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple TVs, and more without having to pay extra!
Surfshark VPN for iPhone FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using Surfshark VPN on iOS devices:
Is Surfshark legal to use?
Yes, VPNs are legal in most countries. Some regions like China and Russia do restrict VPN usage though.
Does Surfshark work in China/UAE/etc?
Users report Surfshark consistently bypasses firewalls and works in heavily censored countries, but connection reliability may vary.
Will Surfshark slow down my speeds?
Surfshark has a minimal impact on speeds compared to most VPNs and also helps bypass ISP throttling.
What does Surfshark cost for iPhone?
You can get Surfshark for as little as $2.30/month on their 2-year plan, very affordable!
Can Surfshark access region-locked streaming sites?
Yes, just connect to a server in the appropriate country and you can easily bypass geographic restrictions.
Is BitTorrent allowed on Surfshark?
Yes, Surfshark permits P2P and torrenting activity on their VPN servers.
Does Surfshark keep usage logs?
No, Surfshark maintains a strict no-logging policy for complete anonymity.
How many server locations does Surfshark offer?
Surfshark has over 3,200 VPN servers across 95 different countries worldwide.
Does Surfshark offer a free trial?
Yes, Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial so you can test it risk-free.
Get Surfshark VPN for Your iPhone and iPad!
I hope this guide has helped explain how to install Surfshark VPN on your iOS devices like iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and configure settings for private, secure internet access.
Surfshark offers an unbeatable combination of speed, security, reliability, and affordability that makes it the top VPN choice for Apple mobile devices in my extensive testing and research.
You can learn more or sign up for Surfshark VPN via their website here. Be sure to take advantage of their current best discount of 83% off plus 3 extra months free!
Have you used Surfshark or any other VPN yourself on iPhone or iPad? Let me know if you have any other questions!
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