How to Turn Off a VPN on Your iPhone

The fastest way to disable a VPN on iPhone

To turn off a VPN on your iPhone, open Settings, tap VPN (or VPN & Device Management on newer iOS versions), then tap the toggle next to your VPN's name to switch it off. The toggle will turn from green to gray. If you do not see a VPN section in Settings, you either do not have a VPN installed or it is built into another app.

The process takes about 10 seconds. Your iPhone will stop routing traffic through the VPN immediately, and your regular internet connection will resume. You can turn the VPN back on the same way by tapping the toggle again.

If you want to remove the VPN entirely rather than just pause it, you will need to delete the VPN profile or uninstall the app — both are covered in the sections below.

Key Takeaways

Turning off a VPN is a toggle in Settings under VPN or VPN & Device Management, not a full uninstall.
Some VPN apps have their own on-off switch inside the app itself, which is faster than going through Settings.
Removing a VPN profile from Settings is permanent and requires you to re-add it if you want to use that VPN again.
If a VPN is built into another app, you turn it off inside that app, not in Settings.

Turning off a VPN installed as an app

Most VPN services on iPhone come as standalone apps — ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and others all work this way. When you install one of these apps, iOS automatically creates a VPN profile in your Settings.

Open the VPN app itself first. Many VPN apps have a large on-off button or toggle on the home screen. Tapping it will disconnect the VPN without leaving the app. This is often faster than going through Settings, and some apps show you which server you are connected to and how much data you have used.

If the app does not have an obvious toggle, or if you prefer to manage it from Settings, go to Settings > VPN (or VPN & Device Management depending on your iOS version) and tap the toggle next to the VPN name.

Removing a VPN profile permanently

If you want to delete the VPN profile so it no longer appears in Settings, go to Settings > VPN & Device Management > VPN, tap the info icon (i) next to the VPN name, then tap Delete VPN. You will be asked to confirm.

Deleting the profile removes it from your iPhone entirely. If you later decide you want to use that VPN again, you will need to reinstall the app or manually add the VPN profile using the configuration details your VPN provider gives you.

Do not confuse deleting the profile with uninstalling the app. Deleting the profile only removes the VPN connection settings — the app itself may still be on your phone. To fully remove the VPN service, you also need to delete the app from your home screen.

Uninstalling the VPN app completely

To remove the VPN app and all its settings, find the app icon on your home screen or in the App Library, press and hold it, then tap Remove App > Delete App. Confirm by tapping Delete.

Uninstalling the app will also remove its VPN profile from Settings automatically. You will no longer see the VPN listed under Settings > VPN & Device Management.

If you uninstall and later reinstall the same VPN app, you will need to log in again and reconfigure any settings you had before.

VPNs built into other apps

Some apps include a VPN feature as part of their service rather than as a standalone app. For example, some password managers and privacy-focused browsers have built-in VPN options. These work differently from standalone VPN apps.

To turn off a VPN that is part of another app, open that app and look for a VPN toggle or setting, usually in the app's settings menu. You will not find it in your iPhone's main Settings app. Check the app's help section or settings if you are unsure where the toggle is.

What happens when you turn off a VPN

When you disable a VPN, your iPhone stops encrypting your traffic through the VPN server and instead connects directly to the internet using your regular connection — either Wi-Fi or cellular data. Websites and services will see your real IP address again instead of the VPN server's address.

Turning off a VPN does not delete any data or change any other settings on your phone. It simply stops the VPN from running. Your apps, photos, messages, and everything else remain unchanged.

If you had a VPN set to connect automatically when you open certain apps, turning off the VPN in Settings will stop that automatic connection. You can re-enable it the same way.

Checking if a VPN is actually off

To confirm a VPN is no longer active, open Settings and look at the VPN section. The toggle should be gray (off) rather than green (on). You can also check the status bar at the top of your screen — if a VPN is connected, you will usually see a VPN indicator there. When the VPN is off, that indicator disappears.

Some VPN apps also show a status screen inside the app itself. Open the app and look for a connection status or dashboard to see whether it is currently active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off my VPN affect my other apps?

No. Turning off a VPN only stops that VPN from running. Your other apps, email, messaging, and internet browsing will work normally using your regular connection. The VPN does not control anything else on your phone.

Can I turn a VPN on and off without uninstalling it?

Yes. You can toggle a VPN on and off as many times as you want using the toggle in Settings or the app's own on-off button. Toggling it off does not uninstall anything — the app and its profile stay on your phone until you delete them.

What if I cannot find the VPN toggle in Settings?

If you do not see a VPN section in Settings, you may not have a VPN installed, or it may be part of another app. Check your home screen for VPN app icons. If the VPN is built into another app like a browser or password manager, look for the VPN toggle inside that app instead.

Does turning off a VPN delete my browsing history?

No. Turning off a VPN does not affect your browsing history, cookies, or any data stored on your phone. It only stops the VPN from encrypting your connection. If you want to clear your browsing history, you need to do that separately in your browser settings.

Can I remove a VPN profile without deleting the app?

Yes. You can delete the VPN profile from Settings > VPN & Device Management without uninstalling the app. The app will still be on your phone, but the VPN connection will be removed. If you open the app later, it may prompt you to reinstall the profile.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.