Before you start: picking your Android VPN
To follow this guide, you need a serious VPN. On Android in 2026, our 3 recommendations are:
- NordVPN — the fastest, native kill switch, Threat Protection (anti-ad + anti-malware). €3.09/month.
- Surfshark — unlimited connections (one account for the whole family), €2.19/month.
- Proton VPN — free plan with no data cap if you want to try before buying.
Avoid unknown free VPNs, for the reasons set out in the FAQ.
Step 1: Download the VPN app
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone.
- Search for the name of your VPN (e.g. “NordVPN”) in the search bar.
- Check the publisher: “Nord Security” for NordVPN, “Surfshark B.V.” for Surfshark, “Proton AG” for Proton VPN. This matters — apps with similar names but published by unknown third parties may appear.
- Tap Install. The download is between 40 and 80 MB.
- Once installed, tap Open.
F-Droid / direct APK alternative: Proton VPN and Mullvad also publish their APKs directly on their website (useful if you don’t use Google services). Always verify the signature and the official domain.
Step 2: Create an account or sign in
If you’ve just subscribed, you’ve received an email with your credentials. Sign in with those credentials inside the app.
If you’re using Proton VPN Free, create a free account straight from the app (email + password, no bank card required).
Step 3: Grant VPN permission on Android
The first time you activate the VPN, Android asks for permission:
“NordVPN wishes to set up a VPN connection. All network traffic may be monitored.”
Tap OK. This is normal — it’s how Android signals that all your traffic will go through the VPN. This pop-up only appears once.
A small key icon appears permanently in your phone’s status bar whenever a VPN is active.
Step 4: Connect to a server
Inside the app, you usually have two options:
- Quick Connect — a big button that automatically connects you to the fastest nearby server. This is what you want in 90% of cases.
- Pick a country — useful for accessing Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, etc. Simply select the country from the list.
Once connected, you’ll see a “Connected” status along with the apparent IP address. To confirm it’s working, open a browser and type “my ip” into Google — you should see an IP matching the country of the server you picked.
Step 5: Enable the kill switch (important)
The kill switch is the most important feature for protecting your privacy. It cuts the internet automatically if the VPN drops, preventing any leak of your real IP.
App-level kill switch
- Inside the VPN app, go to Settings (gear icon).
- Look for Kill Switch or Always-on VPN.
- Enable the option.
On NordVPN and Surfshark, the kill switch is enabled by default. On Proton VPN, you need to enable it manually in the settings.
Android-level kill switch (recommended on top)
- Go to Settings → Network and internet → VPN.
- Find your VPN in the list and tap the gear icon next to it.
- Enable Always-on VPN.
- Enable Block connections without VPN.
The result: if the VPN drops or you disable it, your phone will have no internet connection until it reconnects. This is a step above the app’s kill switch, because it keeps working even if the VPN app crashes.
Step 6: Optimise for battery
To reduce battery use:
- Inside the VPN app, pick the WireGuard or NordLynx protocol (on NordVPN) — those are the most energy-efficient.
- In Android Settings → Battery → Battery optimisation, check that your VPN app is allowed to run in the background (without “aggressive optimisation” that would kill it).
Check for DNS leaks
Once connected, test by opening dnsleaktest.com in your browser. If the DNS servers shown match the country of your VPN (and not your ISP), all is well. Otherwise, enable the “Private DNS” option in the VPN app.
What about on an Android TV / Fire TV?
Installation is virtually identical:
- Open the Play Store (or Amazon Appstore for Fire TV).
- Search for your VPN → Install.
- Sign in → Quick connect.
NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and Proton VPN all offer a dedicated Android TV app, optimised for remote-control navigation. Ideal for unblocking Netflix US or BBC iPlayer on the family TV.
Recap: your checklist
- VPN app downloaded from the Play Store (publisher verified)
- Signed in to your account
- VPN permission granted
- Connected to a server (quick connect or chosen country)
- App kill switch enabled
- Always-on VPN enabled in Android Settings
- WireGuard / NordLynx protocol selected
- DNS leak test OK
You’re ready. Your Android connection is now encrypted, your ISP no longer sees the sites you visit, and you can access foreign Netflix catalogues from anywhere.
To dig deeper, our streaming VPN comparison helps you pick the ideal server depending on the platform you want to unblock.