Add Your First Device
Summary
Register a device in your vpn.now dashboard, name it, pick a server, and generate the config file it needs to connect.
On this page
What adding a device means
Each device that connects to vpn.now needs its own config. A config is a small text file that tells the VPN app where to connect and which keys to use. You create configs on the devices page in your dashboard.
Giving each device its own config is good for security. If you lose a phone, you can revoke just that one config and your other devices keep working.
Tip: if you just want to get online fast, the vpn.now app from your device's download page creates and manages the config for you. The steps below are for manual tunnel setup, which gives you more control.
Step by step
- Log in and open the devices page.
- Click the button to add a new device.
- Give it a name you will recognize later, like "Work laptop" or "Personal phone".
- Your device uses our modern VPN protocol. Our protocol overview explains why we built everything around it.
- Choose a server location. You can change this later. See how to pick a server for tips.
- Save the device. The dashboard generates your config file.
After the device is created
Once the device exists, download its config file and import it into the VPN app on that device. The next guide, downloading your config file, covers this step.
For full per-platform walkthroughs, see the manual tunnel setup guide.
How many devices can I add?
As many as you like. vpn.now does not limit how many devices you connect at the same time. Add each one on the devices page, and revoke any you no longer use; a revoked config stops working within a minute.
If something does not work
A few snags come up when people add their first device. Here is how to clear them:
- The add button does not respond. Refresh the devices page and try again. There is no device limit, so you can always add another device.
- You cannot find the config after saving. The file downloads only when you click the download link next to the device, not when you save it. See downloading your config file.
- You picked the wrong server. No need to start over. Edit the device, choose a new location, and download the updated config. The old one stops working.
- Not sure which location to choose. A nearby, low load server is usually fastest. The guide how to pick a server walks through the trade-offs.
Once the device exists and the config is on it, finish with the manual tunnel setup guide for your platform.