Setup Guide

Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, iPad, and Android

Before you start

You need two things:

• A free vpn.now account. You can create one with just an email in under a minute.
• The vpn.now app for your platform, from the apps overview.

Want to know what runs underneath? The protocol we use is fast, modern, and light on battery. Read the VPN protocols overview for the background.

Windows

1. Install the vpn.now app from the Windows app page and run the installer.
2. Open the app and sign in with your account email, or paste your activation code.
3. Pick a server location, or leave it on the fastest automatic choice.
4. Press connect. The status turns green when your traffic is protected.

To disconnect, press the button again. Your settings are saved for next time.

macOS

1. Install the vpn.now app from the Mac app page.
2. Open the app and sign in, or paste your activation code.
3. Press connect. macOS asks for permission to add a VPN configuration the first time, so click Allow.

A status icon appears in the menu bar. Use it to connect and disconnect without opening the app.

Linux

1. Download the vpn.now app for Linux from the Linux app page. It is a single AppImage.
2. Mark it as executable, then open it and sign in, or paste your activation code.
3. Pick a location and press connect. Linux asks for authorization once.

The app does the setup for you, so there is nothing to configure by hand. Press connect again to disconnect.

iPhone and iPad

1. Install the vpn.now app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and sign in, or paste your activation code.
3. Tap Allow when iOS asks to add the VPN configuration.
4. Tap connect. A VPN badge appears in the status bar.

You can also turn the connection on and off from the iOS Settings app under VPN.

Android

1. Install the vpn.now app from Google Play.
2. Open the app and sign in, or paste your activation code.
3. Tap OK when Android asks to add the VPN connection.
4. Tap connect to protect your traffic.

For always-on protection, open Android Settings, search for "VPN", select the vpn.now app, and enable Always-on VPN. The option to block connections without VPN on the same screen acts as a kill switch.

Connect with an activation code

An activation code is the quickest way to sign in on any device. Copy it once and paste it into the app, with no password to type.

1. Open the Connect with a key page in your account.
2. Copy your activation code.
3. Paste it into the vpn.now app when it asks how you want to sign in.

You can regenerate the code at any time from the same page if you ever need to.

Troubleshooting

It connects but nothing loads

Your network may block the connection. Try a different network, or contact support and we will help you find a path that works.

Connected but websites will not resolve

That is a DNS problem. Disconnect and reconnect, then work through fixing DNS issues. The DNS leak guide shows how to confirm DNS goes through the VPN.

The app will not sign in

Double check your email and password, or use an activation code instead from the Connect with a key page. If it still fails, contact support.

It worked before and stopped

Check that the device was not revoked in your account. Then check the server on the server status page. If the server is in maintenance, pick another location in the app. The general checklist in cannot connect to the VPN covers the rest.

How do I know it is really working?

Compare your public IP with the VPN off and on. The steps are in verifying your IP changed.

Frequently asked questions