How to set up and use ExpressVPN on Android 7.0 and above

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This tutorial will show you how to set up and use the ExpressVPN Android app.

The ExpressVPN Android app is compatible with Android 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie (9), Oreo (8.x), and Nougat (7.x).

Not yet a customer? Read more about VPN for Android.

Sign into your account

On your Android device, go to the ExpressVPN setup page, and follow these steps:

1. Enter the email address for your ExpressVPN account and tap Send Code.
2. Enter the verification code sent to your email and tap Continue.

If you don’t receive the verification code, return to the sign-in page and tap Get another code to resend it.

Once signed in, you will be taken to the download page for the ExpressVPN Android app.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Download the VPN app

There are two ways to download the app, depending on whether you have access to the Google Play Store.

If you can access the Google Play Store:

1. Tap Get It on Google Play.
2. Tap Install. This automatically downloads and installs the Android app.
3. After the app is installed, tap Open to launch it.

If you cannot access the Google Play Store:

1. Tap Download APK to manually download and install the APK app directly on your Android device.
2. Your device may display a warning saying “File might be harmful.” This is a standard Android security message that appears whenever you download an app from outside the Google Play Store. To download the ExpressVPN APK, tap Download anyway to continue. The APK app will automatically download.
3. Open your files folder and tap the ExpressVPN APK app. You should see it under Recent files.
4. By default, your device does not allow apps from unknown sources. When prompted, go to Installed unknown apps in settings and toggle Allow permission on for your files folder.
5. Tap Install on the popup window.
6. Tap Open to launch the app.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Set up the VPN app

When you launch the app, it first asks you to accept the ExpressVPN Terms of Service (ToS) and choose what level of data you share. Select your preference to continue.

1. Tap Sign in on the next screen.
2. There are two ways you can sign in, depending on where you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription:
   • If you did NOT purchase your ExpressVPN subscription from the Play Store: Enter the email address and password or activation code associated with your ExpressVPN account. Tap Sign In.
   • If you purchased your ExpressVPN subscription from the Google Play Store: Tap restore your Play Store subscription.
3. Tap OK to begin setting up the app.
4. You will be prompted to approve connection requests by ExpressVPN. Tap OK to continue; otherwise, the VPN configuration will fail.
5. The app will ask you if you want to enable notifications. Select your preference to proceed.
6. Choose whether to become a beta user. This allows you to provide feedback and report bugs to the ExpressVPN team.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a VPN server location

To connect to a VPN server location:

1. On the home screen, tap . By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the optimal experience for you, called Fastest Location.
2. Once you see Protected below the button, you can start using the internet with added privacy and security.

Note: The number of devices you can connect to the VPN at the same time depends on the subscription tier you chose at checkout:

• Basic: 10 devices at the same time.
• Advanced: 12 devices at the same time.
• Pro: 14 devices at the same time.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from the VPN server location:

1. Tap .
2. You will know you are disconnected when the screen says Not Protected.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Choose a different VPN server location

To choose a different server location:

1. Tap the Change widget to see more server locations.
2. You will see a list of server locations.
   The list of VPN locations features two tabs: RECOMMENDED and ALL LOCATIONS.
   The RECOMMENDED tab includes three sections:
   • • Fastest Servers: Lists up to five of the fastest servers based on your current location.
     • Recent Locations: Shows up to five of the most recent server locations you connected to.
     • Most Popular in Your Country: Lists the server locations most often used by other ExpressVPN users in your country.

   The ALL LOCATIONS tab lists VPN server locations by region. You can expand and collapse the lists by tapping and . You can display server locations from only one region (Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, or Middle East and Africa) and also sort locations by alphabetical order or the number of endpoints.

3. Once you choose a location, ExpressVPN will automatically connect you to it.

Note: When you change locations while connected to the VPN, a notification will pop up letting you know the VPN will briefly disconnect while it connects to the new server location. Tap Continue to proceed.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Switch to a different VPN protocol

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server. For the best experience, ExpressVPN recommends using the Automatic protocol option. This is selected by default and automatically picks the protocol most appropriate for your network.

In some cases, switching to a different protocol may help you achieve faster connection speeds.

To switch to a different VPN protocol:

1. On the VPN tab, tap Protocol.
2. Tap your desired VPN protocol. When you next connect to a server location, ExpressVPN will use the selected protocol to establish the connection.

Learn more about using advanced options for Lightway, the VPN protocol we built from the ground up.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Enable or disable the Internet Kill Switch

The Internet Kill Switch is a security feature that blocks internet access if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects to prevent unencrypted data leaks. The Internet Kill Switch is enabled by default.

To disable or re-enable the Internet Kill Switch:

1. Tap Profile.
2. Toggle Internet Kill Switch on or off.

Note: You can enable or disable the Internet Kill Switch feature for Android both when you are connected to or disconnected from ExpressVPN.

Learn more about ExpressVPN’s Internet Kill Switch on Android.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Block ads, trackers, and harmful sites

You can block ads, trackers, malicious sites, and adult content using the advanced protection features within the ExpressVPN app. This stops the apps and websites you visit on your device from communicating with third parties on our open-source blocklists. Advanced protection features are disabled by default.

To enable them:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the Ad & Tracker Blocker widget.
2. Under Advanced VPN Protection, toggle the settings on/off as you see fit.
3. Tap to connect to the VPN.

You can enable or disable advanced protection features while connected to the VPN. If you’re already connected when adjusting these settings, you’ll get a notification saying ExpressVPN will automatically reconnect to the current server location to make the changes. Tap CONTINUE to proceed.

Read more about ExpressVPN’s advanced protection features.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Use split tunneling

The split tunneling feature lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which apps do not when you are connected to ExpressVPN.

To access your split-tunneling settings:

1. Tap Profile.
2. Tap Split Tunneling.

You will see three options:

• All apps use the VPN.
• Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN.
• Only allow selected apps to use the VPN.

Note: If you change split tunneling settings while connected to the VPN, they will only apply the next time you reconnect.

Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN

To prevent selected apps from using the VPN:

1. Tap Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN.
2. A list of apps on your Android device will appear. To prevent an app from using the VPN, tap next to the app. The app will be added to the Selected Apps list.
3. To remove apps from the Selected Apps list, tap next to the app you want to remove.

Note: When Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN is selected, apps added to the Selected Apps list will not receive VPN protection.

Only allow selected apps to use the VPN

To allow only selected apps to use the VPN:

1. Tap Only allow selected apps to use the VPN.
2. A list of apps on your Android device will appear. Tap next to the app you want to use the VPN. The app will be added to the Selected Apps list.
3. To remove apps from the Selected Apps list, tap next to the app you want to remove.

Note: When Only allow selected apps to use the VPN is selected, apps not added to the Selected Apps list will not receive VPN protection.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Set up auto-connect

To adjust your auto-connect settings:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the Auto-connect widget.

You will see two options:

• When Android starts up
• When joining networks not listed as trusted

When Android starts up

If you want the VPN to auto-connect when you start up your Android device, toggle When Android starts up on.

When joining networks not listed as trusted

If you want the VPN to auto-connect when you join untrusted Wi-Fi and mobile networks:

1. Toggle When joining networks not listed as trusted on.
2. Permissions are required to enable the ExpressVPN app to detect untrusted Wi-Fi networks even when the app is closed or not in use. Tap OK to continue.
3. Tap GRANT PERMISSION.
4. Choose the location accuracy level and tap While using the app.
5. Tap OK.
6. Tap Allow all the time.
7. Tap the back arrow in the top-left corner to return to the ExpressVPN app.

A list of Current Networks will appear. These are networks your device is currently connected to. By default, these networks are listed as Untrusted.

To add a network to your Trusted Networks list, tap next to the network you want to list as trusted.

To remove a network from the Trusted Networks list, tap next to the network you want to remove.

To disconnect when joining a trusted network, toggle Disconnect when joining a trusted network on.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Pause the VPN connection

You can pause an active VPN connection and have it automatically resume after a set time.

To pause an active VPN connection:

1. Tap the stopwatch icon in the top left.
2. Choose a pause interval.
3. If you have paused the VPN successfully, you will see Paused and a countdown timer below the power button.

The VPN connection will automatically resume when the countdown reaches zero.

To resume the VPN connection manually:

1. Tap the power button. This will reconnect you to the previous server.

If you have resumed the VPN successfully, you will see Protected below the power button.

To reset or reduce the time the VPN is paused for:

1. Tap the stopwatch icon.
2. Select a new pause interval. This automatically closes the Pause menu and updates the pause timer.

Note: You can also tap Reconnect from this menu to resume the VPN connection.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Check Secure Device Assistant

Secure Device Assistant is a feature that lets you quickly check if your Android device is fully protected. To use it:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the Secure Device Assistant widget.
2. Check if you need to make any security improvements. On the Secure Device Assistant tab, you will see the following:
   • Latest Android Version: Shows if you are running the latest Android version.
   • Screen Lock Enabled: Checks if you are securing your screen using a PIN, password, pattern, or biometrics.
   • Biometric Security Enabled: Verifies if biometric authentication is enabled, such as facial or fingerprint recognition.
   • No Rooted Device: Checks if you are using a rooted device, which may be more exposed to security threats.
   • Disk Encryption: Verifies if your Android device has built-in methods to encrypt stored data.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Run a speed test

The in-app speed test measures the speed of your selected VPN server location. It checks relevant metrics like download, upload, latency, jitter, and packet loss.

To run a speed test:

1. Tap Speed Test.
2. Tap the play button to start the speed test.
3. It may take up to a few minutes for the speed test to finish and display the results.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Change app appearance

You can change both the color scheme of the app as well as the style of the app icon.

To change the color scheme of the ExpressVPN app:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the moon icon in the top right-hand corner of the app.
2. Under Color scheme, tap the theme you want to use. The app color scheme will change immediately.

To change the style of the app icon:

1. On the VPN tab, tap the moon icon in the top right-hand corner of the app.
2. Under App Icon, tap the icon you want to use. The app icon will change immediately.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Access support articles in the app

You can access support articles within the ExpressVPN app. These articles include guides on how to use the app, troubleshoot problems, and manage your account information.

To find these support articles:

1. Tap the Help tab.
2. Tap a category to select an in-app support article.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Add the ExpressVPN app widget

To add the ExpressVPN widget to your home screen:

1. Long-tap your home screen and select Widgets.
2. Select the ExpressVPN widget and tap Add.
3. Drag the widget to your preferred space on the screen.

The widget is now on your home screen. You can use it to connect to and disconnect from the VPN without opening the ExpressVPN app.

To connect or disconnect from the VPN, tap .

To change locations, tap the location flag.

To open the ExpressVPN app, tap the widget.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Protection Summary

Protection Summary is a part of the ExpressVPN app home screen that provides an overview of your app use.

To enable or disable Protection Summary:

1. Tap the Protection Summary Time Protected widget on the app home screen.
2. Tap Protection Summary to toggle it on or off.

Note: If you are toggling Protection Summary off, the app will ask if you are sure. Tap CONTINUE to confirm that you want to toggle it off. Your Protection Summary stats will be deleted from your device.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Uninstall the app

To uninstall ExpressVPN from your Android device:

1. Long-tap the ExpressVPN app icon and tap Uninstall.
2. Tap OK. The app will be automatically uninstalled.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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