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Connect to a virtual private network (VPN) on Pixel phone

You can connect your device to a private network, like your school or company's network, when you're not there. You make this kind of connection through a virtual private network (VPN).

VPN by Google One is built into Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. If you have Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, or Pixel Fold, you must download and install VPN by Google One. Learn more about how to increase your online security with VPN by Google One.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Use VPN by Google One (Pixel 8 & Pixel 8 Pro)

Who can use VPN by Google One

Owners of the following Pixel phones have access to the optimized built-in VPN by Google One at no extra cost:

  • Pixel 8
  • Pixel 8 Pro

A personal Google account or Workspace account is also required to connect the VPN. Please note that workspace administrators may restrict access to the VPN.

Other Google One membership benefits are sold separately. This VPN offer does not impact the price or benefits of Google One paid plans.

VPN by Google One may not work on your Pixel if:

  • There isn’t an available internet connection on your phone. Check your network settings and troubleshoot connection issues.
  • You’re in a country or region that isn’t supported. Check where VPN by Google One is available.
  • Your Google Account isn’t eligible for VPN by Google One. Certain supervised accounts, like a child’s account, aren't eligible.
  • Your device is rooted or isn’t up-to-date with security updates.
  • Your bootloader is unlocked.
  • You run a beta or other unofficial version of Android.

To find where VPN by Google One is available, refer to this list of countries and regions. If VPN by Google One is supported in your home country or region, VPN by Google One is also supported in other countries or regions when you are traveling.

When you use VPN by Google One, you can’t change your IP location to view online content that isn’t available in your region.

Turn on VPN by Google One
  1. Open your phone’s Settings app .
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN And then VPN by Google One.
  3. Review the disclosures and requested permissions.
  4. If you agree, tap Use VPN.

Tip: VPN by Google One will check your phone for apps that are associated with your mobile carrier and suggest that you exclude them from the VPN. You can change this setting later.

Stay private on VPN by Google One

To help protect your privacy, the VPN automatically connects each time you join a network. When the VPN is connected, at the top of your screen, you’ll find the Key .

The VPN hides your data and Internet activity from hackers on public Wi-Fi or unfamiliar internet providers. This keeps you safe from websites and app cookies that can track your location or the websites you visit.

You can easily pause or resume the VPN by adding the VPN by Google One tile to Quick Settings.
 

Pause VPN by Google One on the current network
  1. Open your phone’s Settings app .
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN And then VPN by Google One.
  3. In the connection status panel, tap Pause VPN.

Tip: The VPN will remain paused until your device connects to a different network. (Example: If you pause the VPN on the mobile network when you’re not at home, the VPN will reconnect to your home Wi-Fi when you return.)

Use Quick Settings to pause VPN by Google One

You can create a tile to get to the pause settings faster:

  1. Open Quick Settings. Learn how to find Quick Settings.
  2. Add the “VPN by Google One” tile.
Pause VPN by Google One automatically on selected networks

You may choose to have the VPN pause automatically on certain networks, such as your mobile network.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app .
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN And then VPN by Google One.
  3. Tap on Pause VPN on selected networks.
  4. Tap Add next to the network that you would like to pause the VPN on.

Tip:

  • To exclude specific Wi-Fi networks, you must grant VPN by Google One the location permission.
  • To stop automatic pause, return to this screen and tap Trash .
Exclude apps from VPN by Google One

You may choose to exclude certain apps from VPN by Google One. For example, you may exclude a multiplayer game if you don’t want latency from the VPN to impact your game play.

By adding an app to this list, its traffic will no longer be protected by the VPN.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app .
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN And then VPN by Google One.
  3. Tap Exclude selected apps.
  4. Tap Add next to the app that you would like to exclude from the VPN.

Tip: If you no longer want to exclude traffic from a specific app from the VPN, simply return to this screen and tap Trash .

Carrier apps & VPN by Google One

Some mobile carrier and internet service provider apps require use of their network. When these apps are excluded from the VPN, they'll use the IP address your carrier assigns to you. This helps the apps function properly.

VPN by Google One gives you the option to be notified when carrier apps are installed. You can decide whether or not to exclude them from the VPN. This option is automatically allowed when you turn on “Use VPN on mobile network” when you initially turn on VPN by Google One.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app .
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN And then VPN by Google One.
  3. Tap Exclude selected apps.
  4. Turn on Exclude carrier apps.
  5. Review the list of installed carrier apps and tap Exclude.

If no carrier apps are already installed when you activate this feature, you’ll be notified and prompted to exclude them when they're installed in the future.

Turn off VPN by Google One

To deactivate the VPN:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN And then VPN by Google One.
  3. Tap Use VPN to off.
Data & battery impacts from VPN by Google One

While VPNs are designed to provide an extra layer of protection for your online traffic, any VPN may:

  1. Increase your data costs, based on your internet data plan.
  2. Reduce internet speeds.
  3. Increase internet connection latency.
  4. Reduce your phone’s battery life.

Some mobile carrier data plans support special exemptions for certain apps, including video and audio streaming services, so that they don’t count against your data allowance. The VPN will interfere with your carrier’s ability to recognize that traffic.

If you have this type of plan, you can set VPN by Google One to exclude the exempted apps from the VPN connection. Learn more about how to exclude exempted apps from the VPN.

Some websites and apps may behave differently or not function correctly when the VPN is connected. You may choose to exclude those apps from the VPN or temporarily pause the VPN to address these issues.

Data that isn’t protected by the VPN

Not all network data from your phone is protected by the VPN. Examples of data that aren’t protected by the VPN include:

  • Tethering traffic
    • This includes USB and Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Push notifications
  • Wi-Fi calling and other IMS services
  • Work profile app traffic
    • This applies if a work profile is configured on your phone.
  • Data traffic from an app that routes traffic directly over the Wi-Fi or a cellular connection

Data collected by Google

Google will never use your VPN connection to track, collect, or sell your online activity. Your network traffic and your IP address aren’t associated with your account or identity. However, Google’s VPN service performs some minimum aggregate logging to ensure quality of service. Learn more about minimum aggregate logging.

Some anonymous data about VPN usage on your device may also be sent to Google, including how it impacts battery life. You can control this by going to Settings And then Security & privacy And then More security & privacy And then Usage & diagnostics.

While VPN by Google One secures your device connection, it doesn’t affect how Google collects data when you use other Google products and services. For example, Chrome continues to store your Chrome browsing history to your Google Account. To manage the types of data saved to your account, you can review your Google Account’s privacy controls.

How VPN by Google One is different on Pixel 8 & Pixel 8 Pro

On Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, VPN by Google One differs from both VPN by Google One on the Google One app and the Google Fi VPN. 

  • This version of VPN by Google One is optimized for the best performance on Pixel and provides a fully integrated experience in your phone’s settings. It’s available on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro at no extra cost.
  • On other devices, Google One paid members can access the VPN through the Google One app. Learn more about VPN by Google One.
  • VPN that can be used from the Google Fi app is also included in Google Fi subscriptions. The Fi VPN is separate from VPN by Google One. Learn more about Google Fi VPN.
  • Only one VPN can be used at a time.

Add or use a VPN (Pixel 7a & earlier, including Fold)

Add a saved network

Step 1: Get VPN information

Get your VPN information from your administrator. You might need to install a VPN app and start set-up in that app. The app could come from the Google Play Store or from your administrator.

Step 2: Enter VPN information

  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN.
  3. At the top right, tap Add .
  4. Enter the information from your administrator.
  5. Tap Save.
Connect
  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN.
  3. Tap the VPN you want.
  4. Enter your username and password.
  5. Tap Connect.
    • If you use a VPN app, the app opens.
Tip: When you're connected, you'll see VPN on .

Disconnect a VPN (Pixel 7a & earlier, including Fold)

Disconnect
  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN.
  3. Next to the VPN you want to disconnect, tap Settings .
  4. Turn off that VPN.
Forget
  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN.
  3. Next to the VPN you want to remove, tap Settings .
  4. Tap Forget.

Edit VPN settings (Pixel 7a & earlier, including Fold)

Edit
  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN.
  3. Next to the VPN you want to edit, tap Settings .
    • If you use a VPN app, the app will open.
  4. Edit the VPN settings. If needed, tap Save.
Stay connected all the time
  1. If you haven't already, add a VPN.
  2. Open your device's Settings app.
  3. Tap Network & internet And then VPN.
  4. Next to the VPN you want to change, tap Settings .
  5. Turn Always-on VPN on or off.
    • If you've set up a VPN through an app, you won't have the always-on option.
  6. If needed, tap Save.
Clear VPN notification

Important: If your always-on VPN connection stops working, you'll get a notification that stays until you reconnect. To clear that notification, turn off always-on for that VPN.

  1. Open your device's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then VPN.
  3. Next to the VPN you want to change, tap Settings .
  4. Turn Always-on VPN off.
Work profile

You can make a VPN work only for apps associated with your work profile. Learn how to set up a work profile.

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