Updated: June 11, 2025

How to Turn Off VPN on iPhone: 3 Quick and Simple Ways

Turning off a VPN on your iPhone stops the VPN from hiding your internet activity and location. This can help fix connection problems, speed up your internet, or let you access local websites and services. Here’s exactly how to turn off VPN on iPhone in seconds:

Open Settings > Tap VPN near the top > Toggle off the switch.
If you don’t see VPN, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN > Toggle off.

Now that you know the basics, let’s break down every method.

Why Turn Off Your VPN?

You might disable your VPN to:

Fix slow Wi-Fi or cellular data
Access banking apps or local services that block VPNs
Troubleshoot internet connection errors
Save battery life
Stop ads from your free VPN

How to Turn Off VPN on iPhone

1. Using Settings

This works for all iPhones (iOS 13 or later).

If you see the VPN toggle:

Open the Settings app.
Tap VPN (below Airplane Mode).
Toggle the switch OFF (gray = disabled).

If the VPN option is missing:

Open Settings > General.
Tap VPN & Device Management.
Select VPN.
Toggle the switch OFF.

Tip: After disabling, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. If no VPN icon appears, it’s off.

2. Turning Off in Your VPN App

Disconnect directly in apps like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or free VPNs:

Open your VPN app.
Look for a disconnect button (usually labeled "Stop," "Disconnect," or a power icon).
Tap it. The app will confirm "VPN disconnected."

To remove VPN completely:

Press and hold the VPN app icon > Remove App > Delete. This erases VPN settings.

3. Using Control Center

Requires setup first (see how to customize Control Center):

Swipe down from the top-right corner.
Tap the Connections icon.
Press the VPN button to turn it off (gray = disabled).

How to Check If Your VPN Is Really Off

Verify in 2 ways:

Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right. If no 🔒 icon appears, VPN is off.
Settings: Go to Settings > VPN. If the status says "Not Connected" or "Off," it’s disabled.

What If Your VPN Won’t Turn Off?

Try these fixes:

1. Disable Proxy Settings

VPNs sometimes alter Wi-Fi proxy settings:

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Tap the ⓘ icon next to your network.
Scroll to Configure Proxy.
Select Off.

2. Reset Network Settings

This erases VPN profiles and Wi-Fi passwords:

Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Enter your passcode.

3. Delete VPN Profiles

For corporate or school VPNs:

Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
Tap the VPN profile name under Configurations.
Select Delete Profile.

Comparing VPN Disabling Methods

Method	Steps	Best For
Settings App	Toggle off in Settings or General	Quick disabling; all iOS versions
VPN App	Tap disconnect/stop button in the app	Temporary disconnection
Control Center	Toggle off in Connections block	Frequent on/off users
Uninstall VPN App	Delete the app	Removing VPN completely

Why Your VPN Keeps Turning Back On

Common reasons:

Auto-connect feature: Disable it in your VPN app’s settings.
Buggy VPN app: Update the app or reinstall it.
iPhone settings glitch: Restart your iPhone (force restart guide).

Troubleshooting VPN Issues

VPN icon won’t disappear? Update iOS (Settings > General > Software Update).
Battery draining fast? Background VPN apps consume power. Disable background refresh:
Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Toggle off for VPN apps.
Wi-Fi not working? Reset network settings (see above).

For more iPhone security tips, see how to check if your iPhone is hacked.

When to Use a VPN vs. Turn It Off

Use VPN	Turn VPN Off
Public Wi-Fi hotspots	Using banking apps
Streaming geo-blocked shows	Local shopping sites
Privacy-sensitive tasks	Troubleshooting slow internet

Need to re-enable later? Follow our VPN setup guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I know if my VPN is really off?
A: Check two places:

Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner. If no 🔒 iconappears, the VPN is off.
Settings: Go to Settings → VPN. If it says "Not Connected" or the toggle is gray, it’s disabled.

Q2: Why does the VPN icon stay visible after I turn it off?
A: This is usually a glitch. Try:

Force-restarting your iPhone (guide here).
Updating iOS (Settings → General → Software Update).

Q3: I deleted my VPN app, but my iPhone still shows VPN settings. Why?
A: Uninstalling the app doesn’t remove the VPN profile. Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → Tap the VPN profile → Delete Profile.

Q4: My VPN keeps turning itself back on. How do I stop this?
A: Two fixes:

Open your VPN app → Disable Auto-Connect in settings.
Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Turn off for your VPN app.

Q5: Will turning off my VPN expose my private data?
A: Only if you’re on unsecured networks (like public Wi-Fi). Use cellular data or trusted Wi-Fi when VPN is off. For sensitive tasks, re-enable it (guide here).