How to turn off VPN on Iphone’s

July 1, 2025
Scott Wu

Turning off a VPN on an iPhone is a straightforward process that gives you back direct access to the internet. The quickest way is to open your iPhone’s Settings app, tap VPN, and toggle the status switch to “Not Connected.” Alternatively, you can almost always open the specific VPN application you installed and tap its prominent “Disconnect” or power button.

For a more detailed look at these methods, including how to handle a VPN that keeps reconnecting or how to remove it completely, here is a complete guide.

How to Tell if Your VPN is On

Before trying to turn it off, it’s helpful to confirm that a VPN is active in the first place. When a VPN is connected on your iPhone, you will see a small rectangular “VPN” icon in the status bar at the top of your screen. On iPhones with a notch (like the iPhone X and newer), you’ll see this icon in the top left corner, next to your cellular signal or Wi-Fi symbol when you open the Control Center. On older iPhones, it will be visible directly in the status bar.

The Main Method: Turning Off VPN in iPhone Settings

This is the universal method that works for any VPN service configured on your iPhone. It allows you to disconnect without ever opening the VPN app itself.

  1. Open the Settings App: Find and tap the grey gear icon on your home screen to open Settings.
  2. Navigate to VPN Settings: Near the top of the Settings menu, just below “Personal Hotspot,” you will see a VPN menu item. Tap on it. (Alternatively, you can go to General > VPN & Device Management > VPN).
  3. Disconnect the VPN: You will see a “Status” line with a toggle switch next to it. If it says “Connected,” simply tap the toggle switch. The status will change to “Not Connected,” and the VPN icon will disappear from your status bar.

What if the VPN Reconnects Automatically?

Some VPNs have a “Connect on Demand” feature that automatically re-establishes a connection if it drops. If you find your VPN turning itself back on, you can disable this feature.

  • In the same VPN settings screen (Settings > VPN), tap the blue “i” (info) icon next to the name of your VPN configuration.
  • On the next screen, you will see a toggle for Connect On Demand. Turn this switch off. Now, the VPN will only connect when you manually enable it.

The Easiest Way: Disconnecting Within the App

For most people, the simplest way to manage a VPN connection is right from the app they used to set it up. Every major VPN provider (like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, etc.) has an app that makes connecting and disconnecting incredibly easy.

  1. Find the VPN app on your iPhone’s home screen.
  2. Open the app.
  3. The main screen will almost always feature a large, obvious button to manage the connection. It might say “Disconnect,” “Stop,” or just be a power symbol. Tap this button.

The app will confirm the disconnection, and you’ll see the VPN icon at the top of your screen vanish.

Removing a VPN Profile Completely

If you no longer use a VPN service or want to remove a configuration for troubleshooting purposes, you can delete its profile from your iPhone entirely. This is different from just disconnecting; it erases the settings, and you would need to set it up again to use it in the future.

  1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
  2. Tap on VPN.
  3. Tap the blue “i” icon next to the VPN profile you wish to remove.
  4. At the bottom of the screen, tap the red Delete VPN button.
  5. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap Delete again to permanently remove the profile.

Whether you need to quickly access local content, troubleshoot a network issue, or simply don’t need the extra layer of privacy at the moment, managing your iPhone’s VPN connection is just a few taps away.

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