How to Setup a virtual private network (VPN) on Android 10

In this post, we are offering step by step explanation to setup a virtual private network (VPN) on Android 10. So, let’s get started!

The current times are all about staying connected to the internet and so are always-on VPN solutions. The pandemic times have made it mandatory to stay at home and work from home. This has been one of the prime reasons why online security has become one of the essential aspects. A great VPN can let you address this issue and help you safeguard yourself from the problems you would be facing concerning the untrusted networks.

How would you set up a VPN on an Android device? The steps should rather be much easy to follow. Let us understand how to set up and connect with a VPN on your Android device easily.

How to Setup a virtual private network (VPN) on Android 10?

There are several methods you can use for setting up your APN on your Android. We will check out a few of the best options that would make it rather easy to connect to the networks and websites without worrying about your data security.

Method 1 – Through Android Settings

Well, you will find the support for a VPN baked into your Android settings. This is precisely what would make it one of the most accessible options to configure your VPN on. In fact, you can simply do it through the settings on your Android device without the need for downloading any app.

The steps explained here would not necessarily be precisely the same as on your device. Given the fact that Android devices from different manufacturers come with different skins, you would find them having different interfaces. However, the core functionality will remain the same.

Here is how you can set up Virtual Private Network or VPN on your Android 10 device –

Go to the Settings app on your Android device. Once again, do note that the settings and instructions may slightly differ.
Look for the settings items such as Wi-Fi & Internet or Wireless & networks. It may also be named as Connections, especially on Samsung devices. Ideally, you need to go into the Network settings on your phone. Of course, you may need to figure out where precisely the settings reside on your phone.
Locate the option VPN. You may need to go into More or More Settings or Additional Network Settings to find your VPN connection option.
Once you find it, tap on it.
Choose the option to add VPN Profiles. You would either need to tap on the Plus icon or pick the option Add new VPN Profile from the settings menu or hamburger menu.
In the settings page for setting up the VPN, enter the following details –
- A name for the network so that you can identify it
- Type of the VPN network. It can be PPTP, IPSec, or even L2TP.
- Enter Server address
- Your username and password
Once you have configured those settings, connect to the network.

That should do it. You will be connected to your VPN network. The details like server address, username, and password can be obtained from your service provider.

That should be one of the easiest and simplest options to set up a Virtual Private Network on your Android 10 phone. The method should ideally hold good in case of other versions of Android as well.

However, the method, though built-in has a few limitations. It does not support Open VPN protocols. The technique works with PPTP, IPSec, and L2TP protocols alone. In fact, PPTP is one of the outdated VPN protocols and has been observed to be the most insecure option for connecting to a network. None of them is secure.

We would advise opting for this method only in cases where you have no other options available at your disposal.

Method 2 – Connect to OpenVPN Networks

The built-in method on Android, as we already have understood, does not support OpenVPN. As such, you would need to use a third-party tool, i.e., OpenVPN Connect. The Official OpenVPN Connect app works on almost all Android versions above Android 4.1.

Here are the steps you can use to connect with OpenVPN on your Android 10 manually –

Download and install OpenVPN Connect from Google Play Store.
You should get all the details needed to configure the service through your network administrator.
You can configure the network with the help of .vpn file on your phone or import the profile using the URL provided by your network administrator.
You should also be able to add a proxy connection manually.

The configuration and set up section provide you access to several options that include choosing the protocol, enabling a kill switch, and setting up a battery saver mode for your VPN connection.

Method 3 – Use a third-party app

The above methods are designed for those of you who would be using an office VPN connection. The settings and profile details will need to be obtained from your network administrator. However, if you are looking to use a VPN connection for your personal use, you would need to go with a third-party VPN service and an app designed for the service provider.

There are multiple third-party VPN service providers you can use with support for numerous operating systems versions and platforms. Just download the app from the official app store or from the service provider website and sign up for the service. Once you do that, enable the VPN service from within the app, and you are good to go.

Method 4 – Use Wi-Fi Assistant

Wi-Fi Assistant is a built-in tool for setting up a VPN on a Google Pixel device. Once you have enabled the option, the phone will connect through the VPN whenever it detects an insecure Wi-Fi connection. If you want to turn it on, you will need to configure your Google Pixel phone to connect to open Wi-Fi networks automatically.

Here are the settings that should be handy enough when doing that –

Launch Settings on your Google Pixel phone.
Go to Network and Internet -> Advanced
Tap on Wi-Fi
Next, tap on Wi-Fi Preferences
Toggle the option Connect to open networks to ON
You should now get a prompt about Wi-Fi Assistant. Click on ‘Got it.’

That does it. VPN is automatically configured on your Google Pixel, and it will come into action whenever you connect to an untrusted Wi-Fi network.

To Conclude

Those were a few simple options that should help you connect with a Wi-Fi network on Android 10. The steps and methods to configure your Wi-Fi network are rather easy but would need you to find the settings on your phone. Since Android is open source, you would have different skins that form an overlay on the core Android operating system.