Set Up Free VPN on Android Without Any App

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TL;DR

VPNs secure your online activities and help bypass censorship.
You can set up a free VPN on Android without downloading an app using built-in VPN settings.
Navigate to Settings → Network & Internet → VPN to add and configure a VPN profile manually.
Samsung devices follow a slightly different path (Connections → More connection settings → VPN).
Free VPNs like ProtonVPN, Windscribe, Hide.me, and TunnelBear offer manual setup options but come with data and server limitations.
Paid VPNs offer stronger encryption, faster speeds, and better privacy, but free VPNs can provide a basic layer of protection.
You can change VPN preferences (e.g., Always On) or disconnect anytime through your Android settings.

Introduction

VPN is a versatile tool. It can improve your general security and help you bypass internet censorship. Investing in a reliable VPN service is essential if you perform sensitive transactions. Android devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have numerous users. They are used daily for various purposes. Some common use cases include online shopping or performing a banking transaction. VPN helps secure all your activities.

However, quality VPNs aren’t free. The VPN provider charges a subscription fee. It can be a monthly or annual fee. This may sometimes discourage potential users from investing in a paid VPN. But there’s a solution. You can use a free version of a paid VPN service. VPNs can be easily set up through their dedicated apps. However, you can also set them up on Android without an app. Keep reading as we tell you more about it.

Can You Use a Free VPN Without Downloading an App?

Yes, you can use a free VPN without downloading an app. Android 9.0 and above lets you set up a VPN without an app. You can set it up manually on your phone or tablet through the built-in VPN support feature. However, you need your VPN account username and password to complete the setup process. Note that this process will take longer than using the VPN app. But if this is how you want to go about it, follow the pointers below. The first step is obviously choosing your preferred free VPN service. Then, do the following.

Access the settings of your Android device.
Now, choose Network & Internet.
Select Advanced and choose VPN.
Tap the + symbol.
Input the information related to your VPN administrator.
Now, tap Save.

Before diving in, it’s worth pausing to ask how much your safety costs. While skipping the app might seem like a smart workaround, security trade-offs are common with manual setups, especially with free services. Make sure the convenience doesn’t come at the expense of your privacy or data integrity.

Setting up a Free VPN Without an App on Samsung Phones

Samsung phones have slightly different settings than other Android phones. Follow this process of setting up a VPN without an app on these devices.

On your phone, tap Connections.
Now, choose More connection settings.
Choose VPN.
Add your VPN profile by tapping the three dots on the upper-right portion.
Input the VPN-related information, such as the name and server address. IPSec identifier, etc.
Now, hit Save.

NOTE: Android devices have a built-in VPN client. It works with L2TP, PTTP, and IPsec protocols. Installing a free VPN will increase your online security. However, it will not increase it to how much paid VPNs do. At the most, you will get a basic level of protection, and the chances of your data being logged by the VPN service are very high.

Change VPN Settings on Android Without an App

You can also change VPN settings on your Android to gain more control over the security offered. A free VPN will give you a few options to tailor security to your needs. However, you can still modify the settings to see what you can do.

Visit the Settings of your device.
Now, choose Connections followed by More Connection Settings.
Choose VPN.
Choose Settings beside the VPN.
Select your preferences and hit Save.
If you want your device to connect to a VPN automatically, choose the Always on setting.

How to Disconnect From VPN Without an App?

You can disconnect from a VPN without an app through Android settings.

Navigate to Network & Internet.
Now, choose Advanced.
Tap VPN and turn off the toggle in the settings beside it.
Alternatively, tap Forget for the VPN to forget the network.

The Best Free VPNs for Android That Can Be Used Without an App

You can use free VPNs that allow manual configuration through built-in Android or OpenVPN settings. Check out a detailed review of some of the best free VPNs at VPN Hunt. Here’s a brief overview of some VPN services to try out.

ProtonVPN: The VPN offers OpenVPN configuration files. It can be configured through the built-in Android settings. The free version of ProtonVPN gives access to fewer servers.

Windscribe: Windscribe provides configuration files for IKEv2 and OpenVPN protocols. Again, the free version has limited server locations and only 10GB of free data.

Hide.me: The VPN offers manual setup guides for SSTP, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols. Hide.me gives access to only five server locations. Its free plan includes 10 GB of data per month.

TunnelBear: It also offers manual configuration through OpenVPN. However, the server choices are very limited. The VPN provides 500MB of free data per month. The limit can be increased through promotional offers.

NOTE: If you want robust privacy and good speeds, a paid VPN is always a better choice. Premium VPN also gives you access to thousands of servers in multiple locations. So, you can easily unblock geo-restricted content and enhance your experience.

Conclusion

VPNs safeguard your security and help avoid third parties spying on you when you use your Android. We spend the vast majority of our day scrolling on our phones and exchanging information with others. Using a VPN is an effective way to ensure our online activities remain secure. Although it’s always better to choose a paid VPN, you can try a free VPN if it meets your needs. Follow the process above to set it up on your Android without an app quickly. It will enhance your experience by making it more secure.

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