How to set up and turn on a VPN on Android

5 min readUpdated October 15, 2026By the VPN Tube team

Short answer

To use a VPN on Android, install a VPN app from Google Play, open it and connect (in VPN Tube, slide the Connect button or just tap it). The first time, Android asks you to allow the VPN connection; tap OK. While the VPN is on, a key icon shows in the status bar. To turn it off, use the same button in the app.

Set up VPN Tube in four steps

Install VPN Tube from Google Play. It’s free and doesn’t ask for an account, email or phone number.
Open the app and slide (or tap) Connect. VPN Tube picks a server in the selected country automatically; you can change the country in the list, with search.
Allow the connection request. Android shows a “Connection request” dialog the first time any VPN app connects. This is a standard system safeguard — tap OK.
Check the key icon. When it appears in the status bar, your traffic is going through the encrypted tunnel.

That’s it: there are no servers, protocols or ports to configure. VPN Tube uses Xray-core protocols and its own VPT protocol and chooses the settings itself.

How to turn the VPN off

Open VPN Tube and use the same button you connected with. The key icon disappears when the VPN is off.

On the free plan a connection ends by itself after 1 hour or 1 GB, whichever comes first (when the time runs out, a short countdown plays first). Connect again and the count starts over, or watch a short ad beforehand for extra time or traffic. VPN Tube PRO has no limits.

Try it with VPN Tube

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How to check that the VPN works

Look for the key icon in the status bar — Android shows it only while a VPN is active.
Compare your IP address. Open any “what is my IP” website before and after connecting: with the VPN on, it shows the VPN server’s address instead of yours.
Check the status. VPN Tube shows Protected, and the notification shows the country, speed and time online.

Android’s own VPN settings

Android lists every installed VPN app in its settings. The path differs between manufacturers:

Google Pixel and stock Android: Settings → Network & internet → VPN.
Samsung Galaxy: Settings → Connections → More connection settings → VPN.
Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, OnePlus, OPPO, realme: Settings → Connection & sharing → VPN.

Worth knowing:

Only one VPN can be active at a time. If another VPN app is connected or set as “Always-on”, turn it off first.
Battery optimization can stop VPN apps in the background. If the VPN disconnects when the screen is off, set VPN Tube’s battery usage to “Unrestricted” in Settings → Apps → VPN Tube → Battery.
Android 12 and newer: the free VPN Tube asks for the “Alarms & reminders” permission — it’s needed for the session timer.

Free or PRO?

Both apps use the same encryption. The free VPN Tube is ad-supported and limits each connection to 1 hour or 1 GB — connect again to start over, or watch a short ad for extra time or traffic. VPN Tube PRO ($4.99 a month or $47.99 a year, free for the first 3 days) removes ads and limits, adds NetShield and works on up to 5 devices. See the comparison.

Questions about this topic

Do I need to configure a server or protocol?

No. VPN Tube chooses the server and protocol automatically. You only slide or tap Connect.

Why does Android ask to allow the VPN connection?

It’s a system safeguard: Android asks before any app can route your traffic. You only need to allow it once per app.

Can I use VPN Tube on mobile data?

Yes. VPN Tube works on Wi‑Fi and on mobile data (4G/5G), and reconnects when you switch between networks.