How To Get a VPN: Set Up On Any Device — 2025 Guide

When I first started testing VPNs, I remember being worried about the setup process, but I found it really simple. You definitely don’t need to be a tech wiz to do it. Good VPNs offer easy-to-install apps for most devices that take only a few minutes to set up. Even when your VPN doesn’t have a native app for your desired device, there’s often an easy way to get around it (like using Smart DNS).

Can you install a VPN on any device? Yes, you can set up a VPN on any device that connects to the internet, including computers, smartphones, routers, and some smart TVs. Most people use VPNs on mobile (69%), on their PC (72%), or both (Forbes, 2023)¹. Below, I’ve detailed step-by-step guides for setting up VPNs on virtually any device. You’ll learn the easiest methods, quick troubleshooting tips, and which VPNs are truly beginner-friendly.

How To Set Up a VPN App on PCs, Smartphones, and New Smart TVs: 2025 Guide

Top-tier VPNs have native apps for all major operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux). If you’re looking to install your VPN on your PC or mobile, it’s just a case of installing the appropriate VPN app for your device. Some VPNs even offer 7-day free trials on iOS and Android so you can test them first.

What do you need to set up a VPN? You need an internet-enabled device, an internet connection, and a VPN app to start the setup process. You’ll be asked to sign in to each app for the first time using a username and password or activation code. The whole process usually only takes about 5 minutes. There are even alternative setups for devices that don’t natively support VPN apps, like my PlayStation 5.

1. Choose a VPN

With so many choices, it’s hard to narrow it down to one VPN. When you’re choosing your VPN, make sure you get a trustworthy one that’s compatible with all your devices. Most premium VPNs offer a consistent experience and capabilities across all devices. The best iPhone VPNs, for example, often integrate with native security tools like Apple’s Private Relay or Face ID, so it’s worth choosing one based on your primary device.

You should also check how many devices you can connect at one time. Premium VPNs usually offer 5+ simultaneous connections at no extra cost.

Sign up through the VPN's website or your device's app store

2. Sign up for Your VPN

I always recommend signing up on the VPN’s website. This is because the VPN’s money-back guarantee will cover you if it offers one. For smart devices like iPhones, Android devices, Fire TV, or newer smart TVs, you can install the official app from the native app store. In this case, you will pay using your store-linked payment method.

You’ll need to choose an offer. You’ll likely need an email address and a valid payment method to complete the sign-up process.

Support will also usually answer any questions you have beforehand

3. Install Your VPN

The easiest way to do this is to sign in to your VPN account on its website, then go to the app download page, find your chosen device, and tap Download. This will download the app installer. Run it once the download is complete to install the app on your device. I’ve found that in most cases, you can just use the default settings the install wizard suggests.

Write down the activation code in case you need it to log in

4. Configure Your App

Enter your account details and your activation code, if your VPN requires one. You might get a couple of prompts once you’ve successfully logged in — it’s common for VPNs to ask if you want to send crash report data (it’s easy to opt out of this) or if you want the VPN to launch on your device’s startup.

Now’s a great time to have a look at your app’s settings and see which options you want to adjust. While a VPN’s default settings usually work great, you may want to switch a few settings if you wish to set up your VPN for a particular activity or to maximize security.

We recommend enabling the kill switch, automatic updates, and IP/DNS leak protection

5. Connect to a Server

First, you’ll need to find a VPN server in your desired country. Your VPN app may have a list of servers with a search bar at the top, in which case you can simply type in a country name or scroll down to find a server. Other VPNs have a world map with icons indicating server locations geographically.

Once you’ve found a server in your desired location, click the server to select it. With some VPNs, this will connect you automatically — with others, you’ll need to press an additional connect/power button. Wait for the VPN to say “Connected,” and you’re done!

The interface should clearly show whether you are successfully connected

6. Go Online Securely and Privately

Once connected, your online activities are encrypted and routed through the VPN server. It’s now possible to browse, stream, and game securely from anywhere.

Some VPNs let you automate connections with certain apps/websites for convenience

Can I set up a VPN directly in the browser? If you want a quick way to secure your browser traffic, many VPNs offer browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge that are easy to set up. To get one, all you have to do is sign up for a VPN and download the browser extension from the website. Then, open up the extension, log in, and connect to a server to secure your browser traffic.

Quick Comparison Guide: Best VPNs for Easy Set Up

Most top-grade commercial VPNs today are designed to be easy to use for a broad audience, regardless of technical know-how. However, they still differ in platform support, customer service, and the overall user experience. Below is a brief comparison of some of these considerations to help you choose the best VPN for you:

How To Get a VPN on PlayStation, Xbox, Firestick, and Smart TVs

The easiest way to use a VPN on a PlayStation, Xbox, older smart TV, or media player is to use Smart DNS, since usually these devices don’t support native VPN apps. Most smart TV models running Android TV and Google TV (Sony, Xiaomi, Fire TV, etc.) as well as tvOS 17+ have native VPN support, while most others do not (Samsung Tizen TVs, LG webOS, etc.). Obviously, it's easier to connect to a real VPN app on your TV, so I was disappointed when my Vizio couldn’t do it. Thankfully, setting up smart DNS isn’t brain surgery.

Smart DNS reroutes your internet traffic through your VPN’s DNS server, altering DNS requests to make it appear as if you’re somewhere else. This makes it possible to access content in HD from anywhere without the slowdowns caused by a VPN’s usual data encryption.

Keep in mind that a Smart DNS doesn’t work the same way as a VPN — it will not hide your real IP, nor does it encrypt your internet traffic. This means it isn’t nearly as secure.

Not all VPN services offer Smart DNS, and those that do usually only support a limited number of locations. However, the VPNs on my list do offer Smart DNS, and they all have a simple setup process. Follow these steps to set up the service on your device.

1. Activate Smart DNS on your VPN account. Go to the Smart DNS page in your account, register your IP address if asked, and get the VPN’s DNS address.
2. Configure the DNS on your device. On your TV, media player, or console, find the DNS settings (usually under network settings). Enter the DNS address provided by your VPN, then click OK.
3. Start streaming. Pick a DNS server and enjoy your favorite movies and shows on your streaming device without added buffering.

Alternatively, you can share a VPN connection from your Windows PC or laptop (just create a hotspot with the VPN connected) if your VPN doesn't offer Smart DNS.

How To Get a VPN on a Router to Cover All Your Devices

One of the benefits of setting up a VPN for your router is that all WiFi-enabled devices on your home network will be protected. It also works smoothly with devices that commonly don’t support native VPN apps. For these reasons, this method is easily the most versatile.

That said, this method only works with routers that are compatible with VPNs. Most VPNs include a list of compatible routers, so ensure that your router model is able to work with your chosen VPN.

Setting up a VPN on your router isn’t as simple as other devices, and it varies a lot depending on your router model and VPN. For a more in-depth explanation of installing a VPN on a router, check out this guide.

It’s also important to note that every router has its own way of setting up VPNs, so the best option is to follow the guides on your VPN’s website. Alternatively, you can contact your router’s manufacturer. There are 3 options available for getting a VPN on your router:

1. Install your VPN’s router firmware and app. Some VPNs have a native router app and firmware for compatible router models. These VPN apps are similar to the ones you’d use on your PC or mobile and are simple to install. They also allow you to switch servers and control other settings on the fly.
2. Buy a pre-configured VPN router. This is the easiest way to get the benefits of a VPN router, but it’s also the most expensive. Plus, you’ll likely still need to purchase a VPN offer on top of this. However, it requires little to no manual setup.
3. Manually install a VPN on your router. This is the most complicated and riskiest method of installing a VPN on your router. If done incorrectly, you could permanently damage your router. Before doing this, you should reach out to your VPN provider or router manufacturer, since each router's setup will be different.

How To Set Up a VPN Manually On All Devices

If you’d like to use your VPN with a device that doesn’t commonly support VPN apps, you’ll have to perform a manual setup. There may also be niche situations where you’re forced to perform a manual setup if you’re trying to safely use a VPN in restrictive environments.

Thankfully, manual setups aren’t too tricky, and there are a few ways to do it on each device. Before you get started, you may need some information from your VPN provider, such as the VPN server address and a special username and password. Some VPNs aren’t very forthcoming about this information, so you may struggle to find it. If you can’t find the information you need, try contacting your VPN’s customer support.

How To Set Up Your Own VPN

Setting up your own VPN offers various benefits — you won’t need to entrust your data to any third-party VPN company, and you’ll be able to access your local home network from anywhere.

However, setting up your own VPN server is complex, costly, and time-consuming. Although I’ve done it before, I can’t say it was worth it. You’re also likely to run into slow speeds and potential security vulnerabilities if the server isn’t correctly maintained, which involves regularly managing updates, security patches, and configuration. Check out our comprehensive guide on setting up your own VPN server.

There’s also the option of setting up a virtual private server (VPS), but you’ll likely have to pay a small monthly fee for cloud hosting. Even the cheapest options from reputable services, like AWS, will likely cost significantly more than a VPN.

You could also use a dedicated physical machine to host your VPN server. This could be from a Raspberry Pi or a fully-fledged server.

How Do You Properly Configure a VPN for Performance and Security?

Once you’ve set up your VPN on your device, there are many customizable options you can configure to make sure you get the most out of it. You can take extra precautions to keep your online activities private and streamline your experience based on your usage habits. After years of testing VPNs, I consider a few features essential.

Automatic Kill Switch

A must-have if you’re concerned about your security. A kill switch prevents your personal information from being exposed if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops. Luckily, most modern VPNs come with a kill switch that’s automatically enabled by default.

VPN Protocol

Protocols determine the set of rules that create a secure tunnel between you and your VPN server. Most VPNs have their protocol set to automatic by default. This selects a protocol based on your chosen server and what the VPN provider believes offers the best balance of speed and security. Here’s a quick overview of the most common VPN protocols available and used today:

• OpenVPN. A reliable, fast, and open-source protocol. Because its code is transparent and is constantly audited by the community and security experts, it’s deemed the most secure and trustworthy. It’s often recommended for banking and other sensitive activities.
• WireGuard. A newer protocol designed to offer increased speeds over OpenVPN. It’s also open-source and uses state-of-the-art cryptography to secure data. It has passed security audits, but it has some known vulnerabilities. It’s generally best for high-speed activities, like streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• IKEv2/IPSec. Usually recommended for mobile devices thanks to its MOBILE support, which ensures you remain reliably connected to the VPN as you switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data networks. However, it's not open-source. They are still the go-to on many mobile devices due to a lack of support for other protocols.
• L2TP/PPTP. An older, widely supported protocol with basic encryption but slower speeds and easier detectability. Not recommended if other protocols are available.

Some VPNs also offer proprietary protocols. For example, NordVPN’s NordLynx is built on WireGuard for its speed but with additional guardrails to mitigate its known vulnerabilities. ExpressVPN's Lightway and Lightwat Turbo (for Windows) provide unmatched speeds without compromising your security. These usually come highly recommended by the VPN itself, but be sure to check that the protocol has been audited and proven to be secure before using it.

Leak Protection

This is usually enabled by default in your VPN settings, and it ensures you’re protected from IP/DNS and WebRTC leaks. Without this, your real IP address or DNS requests could be left exposed while browsing online.

Not only is this a privacy concern, but it could also mean you won’t be able to access your favorite content from anywhere securely. In some cases, it could even open you up to cyber-attacks — it’s not unheard of for gamers to send DDoS attacks against the home networks of opposing players to bring them offline.

You can check if your VPN is properly hiding your IP address by using a leak test tool, like vpnMentor’s IP checker or ipleak.net. If the results show the location of your VPN server, you can rest assured that your real IP address is safely hidden.

Automatic Connections

Most VPNs let you automate when and how they connect, so you’re always protected without having to remember to turn them on. The exact options vary by provider, but you can usually create multiple rules and determine which server to use for each one.

Here are some of the automation options that are commonly available:

• Connect on system startup. Launch and connect automatically when your device boots up (or when you open the VPN app).
• Connect on untrusted WiFi. Automatically activate when joining public or unknown networks, such as at cafes, hotels, and public transport.
• Connect for specific apps or websites. Trigger the VPN only when you open selected apps, such as torrent clients, the Netflix website, or your mobile banking app.
• Reconnect if disconnected. This instructs the VPNs to immediately try to re-establish a connection if it drops, without you manually disconnecting.

Specialized Servers

Some VPNs offer specialized servers optimized for specific activities. The way these servers are optimized for certain activities can differ from VPN to VPN. That said, here are a few examples of how they commonly enhance certain VPN activities:

How To Set Up Your VPN for Certain Activities

By combining the settings and services described above, you can easily optimize your VPN for streaming, security, and more. Thankfully, it is a case of enabling and disabling features in the VPN app and picking the correct server. However, if you’re using a manual or a router setup, it’s best to contact your VPN provider for help configuring your connection.

Here are some quick suggestions on how you can optimize your VPN connection for some of the most popular activities:

Common VPN Setup Issues and Easy Fixes

Most VPNs should work out of the box. So, if your VPN doesn’t work from the get-go, it’s most likely an issue on your device. Misconfigured drivers, firewall settings, software conflicts, or network issues can all prevent a VPN from working like it’s supposed to.

Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot and fix any problems:

• Check your internet connection. Try reloading sites without the VPN connected. If it’s still slow or unreliable, it might be a temporary blip with your network. Disconnect and reconnect to your network or restart your device/router and try again.
• Look for updates. If the VPN refuses to install, launch, or work at all, it might be a mismatch in software versions. Make sure that your drivers, operating system, and VPN are all up-to-date and running the latest version.
• Test the VPN server. Try a different server to see if it resolves the issue. The one you’re using may be experiencing technical difficulties. You can also run a free online speed test to see if the server is unreasonably slow.
• Set the correct date and time. Certificates used for VPN authentication can fail if your system clock is wrong.
• Captive WiFi portals. If you’re on hotel, airport, or café WiFi, sign in or accept terms before launching the VPN. Captive portals block connections until you do.
• Run the installer as admin (Windows). Some VPNs need elevated permissions to install drivers or network adapters. Right-click the installer or app and select Run as Administrator. Remember to always reboot your device (especially PC) after installation.
• Resolve conflicts. Other proxy or VPN tools may be running services or using ports that conflict with your VPN. Disable or uninstall them and see if it works. In extreme cases, you may have to reinstall TAP or TUN drivers (Windows and Linux).
• Scrutinize firewall and antivirus settings. These security tools may be restricting traffic to or from the ports that your VPN uses. They might also be blocking sensitive apps or websites you’re trying to access with the VPN. Disable them to see if they are the issue, and then inspect the permissions to see if you need to grant any rights to your VPN.

When To Use a VPN

VPNs reroute your traffic through a virtual server, making it look like you’re using the internet from the location you’re connected to. Your connection is encrypted, so your ISP and other third parties can’t see your online activities.

Why should you use a VPN? Using a VPN is beneficial in several situations to enhance your online security and privacy. When connecting to public WiFi networks in places like cafes, airports, or hotels, a VPN encrypts your data, protecting you from cybercriminals who may be monitoring these networks. This is especially crucial when performing sensitive tasks like online banking or logging into accounts​.

VPNs also make it possible to access global content securely from anywhere. Not only that, but the best VPNs offer robust security without compromising your speed. VPN use surged by as much as 2,892% in countries that enacted internet restrictions (Market Mosaic, 2025)².

FAQs About Setting up a VPN on Any Device

References

1. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/in/business/vpn-statistics/
2. https://newsletter.rwazi.com/p/084-how-a-2-892-vpn-spike-exposed-this-31t-economy