VPN technologies today are used almost everywhere, including not only stationary computer systems, but also mobile devices. Android devices are especially popular all over the world, therefore, questions related to how to configure VPN for Android are offered for further consideration. There are several simple methods for this, which involve using your own operating system tools and third-party tools of various directions. But first, what kind of technology is it, and why are they needed.
What is a VPN and why is it necessary to use such a connection?
Without going into the technical aspects of such a connection, but in simple terms, a VPN is a technology for accessing Internet resources based on a secure connection (tunneling).
In this case, full encryption takes place, and the user remains unrecognized in the network. Such a connection has the reverse side of the coin. With its help, you can easily get around any restrictions associated with blocking certain resources (for example, to American Internet radio stations or to Russian social networks, news and search services that are blocked in Ukraine). At the same time, the VPN connection works like an anonymous proxy server, changing the external IP of the user device in such a way that the Internet resource that is accessed defines it as one that is geographically located in the country of registration of the site itself or in the region from where access to allowed to him.
How to configure VPN connection on Android using system tools?
But it was all a theory. Now we pass to practical actions. And for starters, consider the built-in tools of the system. How to configure VPN for Android (Samsung is used or a device from another manufacturer is not so important). It turns out to be simple.
First you need to enter the settings, go to the networks section, where the menu “Other networks” is selected (sometimes “Connections”). Next, go to wireless networks, tap on the "More" item and select a VPN.
Now you need to create a PIN code and confirm it (without this, the connection will not work). There are three options in the setting: PIN, pattern and password. Here - at will. Then, the desired setting for displaying notifications is selected (optional), and then the "Finish" button is clicked.
Now, in the question of how to configure VPN on Android, you need to add the created connection so that it can be used. To do this, a button with a plus sign is pressed from above, an arbitrary name is entered, the PPTP connection type remains unchanged.
Now you need to enter the server address and save the changes. To connect, you will need to enter a username and password (this data and server address can be obtained from the network administrator or mobile operator). By the way, in this way, without involving third-party software, the problem of how to configure VPNstar Kyivstar to Android is solved, although this technique is equally applicable to any mobile operator.
Now it remains to use the point of saving personal data so as not to enter it every time and make a connection, after which the corresponding icon with the image will appear in the panel on top.
Opera browser: how to configure VPN for Android?
However, it is believed that the easiest way to configure this type of connection is to use the Opera browser. Its advantage is that it already has a built-in VPN client in a predefined form.
To change the region, you just need to use the corresponding item in the browser settings and select the desired location. When connecting, you need to give confirmation. In principle, there should not be any special problems. But immediately note that the speed of access to the Internet for wireless networks is lower than with a wired connection, therefore, when the VPN mode is on, its reduction will be very noticeable.
Universal Clients
Finally, let's look at the solution to the question of how to configure VPN on Android using universal clients. Returning to the Opera, it is worth noting that such a connection will work exclusively for the browser, and when you run the same news applets or social networking applications, it will be unavailable.
Thus, to establish a VPN for the entire system, the use of special clients will be required. The most advanced are the following:
- Turbo VPN.
- Orbot with Tor browser.
- Super VPN Free.
- Cloud VPN
- Free VPN (Hotspot Shield Basic) and many others.
The principles of operation for all applications are almost the same, and user participation is reduced only to confirming the credibility of the program, choosing a server and pressing the connection button.
Possible connection problems and basic solutions
How to configure VPN on Android, figured out. Now a few words about typical errors and failures when it is impossible to make a connection.
For the most part, the appearance of such errors refers to situations where the connection was configured using the tools of the operating system itself. And in most cases, as a correction technique, it is proposed to verify the entered data regarding server addresses, logins and passwords.
Less commonly, you may encounter incorrect Wi-Fi or 3G networks settings. In the case of mobile operators, you should request access settings and save them after receiving a Push message.
Finally, the problem may also lie in the fact that if an antivirus or firewall is installed on the smartphone or tablet, they can block the connection (moreover, even if the VPN client is used). As on desktop computers, these applets should be deactivated for the duration of the connection or installed software that is more “tolerant” to using a VPN.
Instead of a total
Here is a brief summary of everything that concerns the basic techniques for setting up and using VPN technologies on mobile devices running Android systems. What to choose from all this? It seems that it is better not to use the built-in tools of the system, at least because of the appearance of possible failures. Although, if nothing else is at hand, this option is also suitable. The optimal solution is to install a full-fledged VPN client. This is especially important for the ability to run other applications that use Internet access, and not just a browser.