How to Turn Off VPN on iPhone (App and Settings)

To turn off a VPN on your iPhone, open your VPN app and tap Disconnect, or go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN and switch the connection off. Both methods disconnect the VPN without automatically deleting your app, account, or subscription.

If the VPN immediately turns itself back on, an automatic connection rule or a managed device policy may be responsible. Here is how to disconnect it, keep it off when possible, and check that the change worked.

Method 1: Disconnect in the VPN app

This is usually the simplest method if you installed a service's app rather than creating a VPN configuration manually. The exact wording and button design depend on the provider.

1. Open the VPN app on your iPhone.
2. Find the connection screen, which may say Connected or show a power symbol.
3. Tap Disconnect, Turn Off, or the main connection button. Confirm if the app asks.
4. Check that the app now reports Disconnected or Not Connected.

You can keep the app installed and reconnect later. If the app displays a temporary pause feature, check whether it pauses only for a set period; a pause is not the same as disabling auto-connect.

Method 2: Turn off VPN in iPhone Settings

This route is particularly helpful for VPN configurations that appear in iOS Settings. Menu placement can vary slightly across iOS versions and VPN providers.

1. Open Settings on the iPhone.
2. Tap General, then scroll to VPN & Device Management.

3. Tap VPN to view your available VPN configurations.

4. Turn off the active connection switch, if one is available. The status should change to Not Connected.

If you cannot find the menu, open Settings, swipe down to reveal its search field, and search for VPN. Apple recommends checking VPN and related settings when troubleshooting connection problems; see its network connectivity guidance.

How to confirm your VPN is off

Reopen the VPN app or the VPN page in Settings and look for Not Connected. On supported iPhone models, the VPN status indicator appears when a VPN is connected; you may need to open Control Center to see it. Apple's iPhone status icon guide explains the indicator. A missing status icon alone is less conclusive than checking the connection state in Settings.

Why does the VPN turn back on?

If you disconnect and the VPN reconnects seconds later, check these possibilities in order:

• Auto-connect in the VPN app: Open the app's settings and look for names such as Auto-Connect, Connect Automatically, or protection for untrusted Wi-Fi. Disable the rule if you want the VPN to remain off.
• Connect On Demand: Open the VPN configuration's information screen in Settings and look for a Connect On Demand control, if the configuration exposes one. This feature can reconnect based on rules, and some configurations do not let users change it.
• Work or school management: Your organization may require VPN access or enforce an Always On VPN. Do not remove its management profile; ask your IT administrator about permitted changes.
• Another security app: A firewall, web filter, or protection app can create its own VPN configuration. Check which configuration currently says Connected rather than assuming it is your usual VPN provider.

Apple documents managed VPN On Demand and Always On VPN in its VPN security overview.

Should you disable your iPhone VPN?

Temporarily disconnecting can help diagnose a website that will not load, a service that dislikes VPN server locations, or unusual network performance. Try disabling it briefly and then retest the same app or page. This comparison can help identify whether the VPN is involved, but it does not prove that the VPN is the only cause.

When you turn off a VPN, traffic covered by that VPN is no longer carried through its encrypted tunnel, and websites generally see your normal network's public IP address instead of the VPN server's. HTTPS websites can still encrypt their own connections; disabling a VPN does not remove every form of encryption or immediately make your iPhone unsafe. If you rely on a VPN for workplace access, privacy, or particular network protections, reconnect when you finish troubleshooting.

How to remove a VPN completely

Disconnecting is different from deleting a VPN configuration. To remove a personal configuration, open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN, tap the information button beside the relevant configuration, and choose Delete VPN if available. Some app-managed VPN entries must be removed through the provider's app or settings.

To uninstall a VPN app, touch and hold its icon, choose Remove App, then Delete App. Afterward, check Settings for any remaining configuration. Uninstalling an app does not automatically cancel a paid subscription.

Be particularly careful with configuration profiles: Apple's profile management instructions explain that deleting a profile can remove other associated settings, apps, and data. Check with your organization before changing a managed iPhone.

Common questions

Will turning off a VPN disconnect Wi-Fi?

Usually not. Your iPhone can stay connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data after the VPN tunnel closes. If a managed VPN or security app requires the tunnel, however, certain network access may stop until it reconnects.

Does a VPN use extra battery?

VPN processing can contribute to power use, but the impact varies with the protocol, provider, signal, and your activity. If you're troubleshooting battery drain, compare usage over time rather than assuming the VPN is always the main cause.