8 reasons why you should consider a VPN for your iPhone (2024)

8 reasons why you should consider a VPN for your iPhone (1)

Apple’s iPhones are renowned for their robust security. After all, how often do you hear about iPhones getting infected with viruses? But despite Apple’s stringent security measures, there’s still always a chance that your iPhone could be compromised. A simple measure to further boost security on your device? Install a VPN.

Consumers across the globe are using VPNs for security. But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using an iPhone VPN. Think better internet accessibility, improved gaming - even, in some circ*mstances, better pricing on online shopping!

In this article, we cover a few of the key reasons why you may want to consider downloading a VPN for your iPhone. Or, if you already have one, highlight some of the less common VPN uses you can take advantage of.

8 reasons why you should consider a VPN for your iPhone (2)

<a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fexpressvpn.com%2Fgo%2Fvpn-software%2Fvpn-ios%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree%26a_fid%3D744" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Our number #1 rated iPhone provider is ExpresssVPN
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1. Access geo-blocked content

There's a common problem with streaming services: geo-blocking. This is when a service prevents users from viewing or installing content because of their geographical location. For example, when you’re unable to find a title on Netflix but your friend in a different country has access to it. And, sometimes, a streaming service may not even be available where you are, like HBO Max, which is only present in the US.

Using a VPN for streaming is handy for bypassing geo-restrictions because it connects you to servers in other countries. To a streaming service provider, your internet traffic looks local, so it unlocks that region’s catalog for you. With a VPN on your iPhone, you can unlock a new world of entertainment on the go and, when you're travelling, make sure that you can still watch what you'd normally be able to at home.

2. Tunnel through restricted apps

Whilst connected to your school or office WiFi, you may have faced restrictions when trying to access social media or other websites and apps on your iPhone. This is because most schools and many companies limit internet use, and they set up firewalls on the network to prevent users from accessing certain websites.

Although it’s best to comply with the rules set out by your school or workplace, if you urgently need to access a blocked website, a VPN can help. It’ll tunnel right through the firewall to securely access all the content that’s blocked. A VPN also encrypts your internet traffic data, so your online activity will be private.

3. Secure public Wi-Fi access

Public Wi-Fi, found in places like airports, hotels, and malls, is free and open for people to use, but it’s hardly ever secure. On a public network, you could be potential prey for cybercriminals waiting to steal your data or monitor your online activities.

Ideally, you’ll want to avoid relying on public Wi-Fi - cellular data is safer. But if you don’t have a choice and need to use a public network, it’s a good idea to use a VPN. Now most credible apps these days are getting much better at securing your data, but the VPN will further encrypt the network data across all the applications on your iPhone, making it even harder for intruders to read your online activity or steal your credentials.

(Image credit: NordVPN)

4. Better deals on services and products

Some websites use an infamous technique to pressure customers into buying - price inflation. After visiting a website to shop for something like a flight ticket, if you refresh and there’s a price hike, it’s not unlikely that it's a tactic used by the company pushing you to buy.

A VPN can help you with this. For a website to inflate pricing on its services or products, it needs to gather your IP address details and cookies. A VPN on your iPhone (or laptop) will anonymize your identity, preventing the website from collecting your data and targeting you.

Now we're not suggesting that this will work every time, but if you're continually seeing flight, hotel and other tariffs shooting up after the first time you looked, then hopping on to another server and trying again may save you some cash.

5. Avoid bandwidth throttling

Bandwidth throttling is a major inconvenience for heavy internet users in some parts of the world. Internet service providers (ISP) use bandwidth throttling to slow down a user’s internet and provide stable speeds to everyone on the network.

If you stream a lot of videos, play data-heavy online games or frequently download large files, some ISPs will track that you’re consuming a lot of data and potentially limit you.

One way to try and avoid this is by installing a VPN because it’ll mask your IP address. This way, your ISP will not know what activity of yours is using up data, and they won’t throttle your bandwidth.

Make sure you use a premium VPN for heavy internet usage. Low-quality providers will not give you a good speed for your online activities and free VPNs often have their own server speed limits in place - so completely counterproductive.

(Image credit: Surfshark)

6. Extra security for online banking

Any sensitive online data must be handled with care, and that’s exactly why online banking has high-grade security. Multiple levels of security make it difficult for troublemakers to breach through and access crucial financial information.

Of course online banking apps and services are getting more secure all the time and banks go to great lengths to defeat cybercriminals. To have an even safer banking experience on your iPhone, you can use a VPN. This will set up a secure and encrypted data tunnel to the VPN’s server so that bad actors have even less opportunity to intercept or steal your information.

7. Bypass VoIP restrictions

VoIP is the technology that applications like WhatsApp and Skype use to make calls over the internet. As the world grows more connected, VoIP helps us to communicate at low costs with people living far away from us and is a crucial means of communication in a lot of the developing world.

VoIP apps are banned in certain countries like UAE and China, but a VPN can help you bypass such restrictions. Keep in mind that you’ll need a top-of-the-line VPN for this because not all VPNs are capable of working around blocks imposed by the government and letting you unblock WhatsApp and others.

(Image credit: Private Internet Access)

8. Improved online gaming

Believe it or not, a VPN can help with gaming too. When playing online battle royales, timing is key, and that’s why even a little lag can give another player a competitive advantage over you. If you’re experiencing lag on your normal network, a VPN can help by reducing the ping (lag) so that you have a more responsive gaming experience.

Since a VPN encrypts and reroutes your data, it generally slows down the internet speed a bit. But if you select a VPN server that’s fast and close to your game’s server, you’ll experience better speeds. Not all VPN providers give you access to good quality servers, so pick one that has servers optimized for gamers.

Considering a VPN for your iPhone?

iPhones are powerful devices loaded with terrific features. With a VPN installed on your iPhone, it’ll be even better equipped for the internet, and you’ll enjoy greater security and privacy. And, of course, you’ll have unrestricted access to the online content landscape.

There are plenty of mobile VPN apps in the App Store - good and bad - so you should research and pick one that’s useful for your requirements. We'd always suggest checking out the likes of ExpressVPN and NordVPN - they're both at the top of the VPN tree and each comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, effectively letting you try before you buy.

  • Get started: How to download, set up and install a VPN on iPhone
  • What about Google phones? See today's best Android VPNs
  • VPN meaning: what is a VPN and what do they do?

8 reasons why you should consider a VPN for your iPhone (7)

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Nikshep Myle

Nikshep Myle is a freelance writer and editor. He’s passionate about self-transformation and loves to research, experiment, and write about tech, travel, health, and fitness. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him meditating, traveling, discovering new music, and indulging in adventurous and creative pursuits.

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8 reasons why you should consider a VPN for your iPhone (2024)

FAQs

Why should I have VPN on my iPhone? ›

Having a VPN an iPhone ensures its security and privacy. Not only does this help protect sensitive data such as personal details, bank accounts, and credit card information, but it minimizes the ability of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and third parties to track activity and create targeted advertising.

Do Apple users need VPN? ›

Typically, you shouldn't need a VPN. A VPN can help you to hide your location or access certain content (like content on a company intranet for your employer). If you're worried about privacy and you subscribe to iCloud+ you can use Private Relay.

What is the best reason to use a VPN? ›

A VPN protects its users by encrypting their data and masking their IP address, leaving their browsing history and location untraceable. This greater anonymity allows for greater privacy, as well as greater freedom for those who wish to access blocked or region-bound content.

Why do I need VPN on my phone? ›

It makes you more secure.

The bank-grade encryption used by a strong VPN shields your data and information while it's in transit, which makes it terrifically difficult for hackers to spy on your connection. (Think of your data and information traveling through a tunnel that no one else can use or see into.)

Does VPN slow down internet? ›

A VPN will slow down your internet connection. With a premium VPN (Virtual Private Network), that slowdown should be unnoticeable. But no matter whether it is paid or free, a VPN will slow down your connection because it needs some of that bandwidth for encryption purposes. And without encryption, a VPN is just a VN.

Do iPhones have VPN built-in? ›

No, iPhones don't have a built-in VPN service, but they do have built-in VPN support. In other words, the iOS platform allows you to configure and connect to a VPN service through its settings. To do so, you have to choose a VPN provider, download its VPN app from the App Store, and set up the connection.

Do Apple devices have a built-in VPN? ›

Keep in mind that iPhones don't have built-in VPNs. This means you can't connect to a VPN with only the available iPhone settings.

Should VPN be on or off on my iPhone? ›

It's not recommended that you turn off the VPN on your iPhone, but there are obvious times when you may need to. However, try your best to keep your VPN active when you're doing things online on public Wi-Fi networks or when you want to make sure your online privacy is protected.

What is the downside of using a VPN? ›

While VPNs have a lot of perks, there are potential downsides, too. A VPN can reduce internet speed and increase latency, which slows down online activities. Using a VPN can get your accounts blocked by social media sites for suspicious activity.

What doesn't a VPN protect you from? ›

VPNs are not designed to protect your device from malware, viruses or other cyber threats. They secure your data transmission and mask your online identity, but they don't have the ability to scan or block malicious software. Therefore, it's essential to use additional security measures alongside a VPN.

What are the pros and cons of using a VPN? ›

A VPN is an effective tool to enhance online security and privacy, access geo-restricted content, and protect against cyber attacks. The use of a VPN can result in slower internet speeds, compatibility issues with certain devices, and premium services coming at an additional cost.

Is it worth having a VPN at home? ›

Home VPNs Can Protect Your Privacy

There are lots of good reasons a home VPN might be a valuable addition to your security and privacy arsenal, but what's most important is whether you use it. If you find yourself too frustrated with reduced internet speeds, or juggling streaming devices, don't use a VPN at home.

Should I use VPN on cellular network? ›

Whether you should use a VPN for mobile data depends on what you'll be using your mobile device for. If you value privacy and want to keep your ISP from viewing your online activity, then a VPN is perfect for you. Your ISP may collect your data and sell it to third parties if you are not protected by a VPN.

Does VPN affect WIFI calling? ›

Wi-Fi calling may not work if you have a virtual protected network (VPN) turned on. To ensure that Wi-Fi calling works, turn off your VPN or update your VPN settings so that the Google Fi app can bypass the VPN.

Should I delete VPN on iPhone? ›

It is not safe to disable a VPN, even when you're connected to your home network. Without a VPN, ISPs can see what you're doing online.

Why use a VPN at home? ›

But one of the main reasons to have a VPN at home is to hide your online activity from your ISP. Internet providers often have full access to your online activity, which could include your searches, downloads, emails, and more. With a VPN, you're able to mask your activity and increase your privacy.

Does a VPN make your internet faster? ›

Can a VPN improve Internet speed? Under specific circ*mstances, VPNs can increase speeds for certain services. ISPs sometimes throttle, or artificially slow down, specific types of traffic; for example, several major ISPs have throttled streaming entertainment services like Netflix.

Does Apple have a VPN for iPhone? ›

You can configure VPN settings for an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV enrolled in a mobile device management (MDM) solution. Use the VPN payload to enter the VPN settings for connecting to your network. Settings you specify in the configuration profile can't be modified by users.

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