How to Turn Off VPN on iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide for iOS 18

Turning off a VPN on your iPhone can be essential when you need unrestricted access to local content, faster speeds for downloads, or simply to troubleshoot connectivity issues. Whether you’re using the built-in iOS VPN settings or a third-party app, this comprehensive guide walks you through every method safely and efficiently. We’ll cover iOS 18 and earlier versions, ensuring compatibility across devices like iPhone 15, 14, and older models.

Why You Might Want to Turn Off VPN on iPhone

VPNs enhance privacy and security by encrypting your traffic and masking your IP address, but they’re not always necessary. Common reasons to disable include:

Accessing geo-blocked local services: Banking apps or region-specific streaming often detect and block VPNs.
Improving speed: VPN encryption can slow downloads or gaming.
Battery saving: Constant VPN use drains iPhone battery faster.
Troubleshooting: If apps won’t load, turning it off helps diagnose issues.

Remember, only disable your VPN on trusted networks to avoid risks.

How to Turn Off Built-in VPN on iPhone

iOS has native VPN support via Settings. Follow these steps:

Open Settings on your iPhone home screen.
Scroll to General > VPN & Device Management (or VPN in older iOS versions).
Tap the toggle next to your active VPN profile to switch it off (it turns grey).
If prompted, confirm disconnection.

Your VPN should disconnect immediately, restoring normal internet. To remove it entirely:

Tap the info (i) icon next to the VPN.
Select Delete VPN and confirm.

This works for manually configured VPNs from providers or enterprise setups.

Turning Off VPN in Popular Third-Party Apps

Most VPN providers use dedicated iPhone apps for easier control. Here’s how for top services:

ExpressVPN

Open the ExpressVPN app.
Tap the power button (large toggle on the home screen) to disconnect.
Or go to Options > VPN Auto-Connect and disable it.

NordVPN

Launch NordVPN.
Tap the Disconnect button under the server list.
Disable Auto-connect in Settings for future prevention.

Surfshark

In the app, tap the power icon to turn off.
Head to Settings > VPN Settings > toggle off Connect on Demand.

CyberGhost

Open the app and select No Spy Servers or tap Disconnect.
Check Smart Rules to customise auto-start.

Proton VPN (Free Tier)

Tap the connection status bubble at the top.
Select Disconnect.

For other apps, look for a prominent power, connect, or disconnect button on the main screen.

Troubleshooting: VPN Won’t Turn Off on iPhone

If the VPN persists:

Restart your iPhone: Hold power + volume down, slide to power off, then restart.
Forget the network: Settings > Wi-Fi > tap (i) > Forget This Network.
Check for Always-On VPN: Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > ensure no profiles enforce it.
Update iOS and app: Settings > General > Software Update.
Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings (note: this clears Wi-Fi passwords).
Airplane Mode trick: Enable Airplane Mode for 30 seconds, then disable and reconnect.

If issues continue, compare the best VPNs for iPhone to switch to a more reliable provider.

When to Keep Your VPN On vs. Turn It Off

Use VPN on public Wi-Fi, for torrenting, or bypassing censorship. Turn it off for:

Local streaming (e.g., BBC iPlayer).
High-speed tasks like 4K video uploads.
App compatibility issues.

Pro tip: Enable split-tunnelling in apps to route only specific traffic through VPN.

Final Thoughts

Turning off VPN on iPhone is straightforward once you know where to look. For the best experience, choose a user-friendly VPN suited to UK users. Take our quick VPN quiz to find the perfect match, or explore top-rated options today.

Stay secure and browse freely!