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In the modern age of web browsing, a VPN is absolutely vital to staying safe online. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a privacy tool that essentially puts a cloak of anonymity around your personal web use. VPNs don’t give you complete immunity from tracking or spying, but they are a huge building block in the wall of personal privacy. So if you don’t have one, you really should, but if you have one and you need to turn it off for some reason, you might not know how to do it. This article will provide a brief tutorial on how to disable your VPN on Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac OS X.
we will be using ExpressVPN in our examples because it is reliable, easy to use, and widely used. But the instructions are basically the same for any VPN you are going to use.
Disable a VPN in Windows
To temporarily disable a VPN in Windows, use the same method you use to connect it. If you use a provider app, you log out using that app. If you connect through Windows, you disconnect through Windows.
- Select the up arrow next to the clock on the Windows taskbar to access running processes.
- Right click on your VPN app and select Disconnect.
- Confirm if necessary.
The exact steps differ by provider, but as a general rule, right-click any program in the list to access the commands. Disconnecting should be one of them.
Alternatively, use the Windows VPN app.
- Select the speech bubble notification icon to the right of the Windows clock.
- Select Disconnect on your VPN.
Lastly, you can disconnect your VPN using the dedicated Windows app.
- Click on your VPN app on the taskbar.
- Click the power icon to disconnect your VPN.
As you can see, disconnecting your VPN on a PC is quite simple. With so many ways to connect and disconnect, it’s a task that shouldn’t interfere with your other tasks.
Disable a VPN on Android
Android does not natively support VPN, so users will typically use an app provided by their VPN service provider. You have a few options to disconnect your VPN on an Android device.
The first method we recommend allows you to continue multitasking without leaving another app to search for the ExpressVPN app. That is how:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen.
- You will see your VPN running. Touch it.
- Tap the power icon to turn it off.
The other option is to go directly to the application.
- Select the app from your Android home screen.
- Select the Disconnect option from the menu.
This should be a simple process. When you select the app, the option to disable the VPN should immediately appear.
Otherwise:
- Open your device’s Settings and tap Connections.
- Select More connection Settings at the end of the page.
- Select your VPN and tap Disconnect.
Disable a VPN on iOS
As with Android, the fastest way to connect using a VPN on an iPhone is to use a provider app. You can configure iOS to run it, but the app is faster. The app will usually configure your device to use the VPN and everything will be done for you.
To turn it off:
- Select Settings on the home screen.
- Turn off the switch next to VPN.
Of course, you can also open the VPN app on your phone and press the power button to disconnect it as well.
This process is more or less the same whether you are using a VPN app or have set it up manually yourself.
Disable a VPN on Mac OS
Mac OS X also has the ability to use VPN, making a secure operating system a little more secure. Like Windows, you can use the app to control the VPN or use network settings within Mac OS X.
- Select the VPN app on the OS X desktop or Dock.
- Click the power icon to disconnect the VPN.
When ExpressVPN is active and connected on your Mac, you can disconnect it using the menu icon at the top of the screen. That is how:
- In the top right corner of your Mac, click the VPN icon.
- Click Disconnect.
You can also click Show ExpressVPN in this menu to access more settings and open the application on your Mac.
Most VPN apps use the word “Disconnect”, but that could change. Use your judgment here. Some VPN apps may add a menu option to the top menu on the desktop; If yours has this, you can select the menu instead of the dock. The result is the same.
If you set up your VPN through MAC OS X and not an app, do this:
- Select the Apple menu icon at the top left of the desktop.
- Select System & Network Preferences.
- Select the VPN connection in the left pane of the Network window.
- Select Disconnect.
It makes sense to keep your VPN running at all times when you’re online. This is even more important if you are a laptop or mobile device user who frequents Wi-Fi hotspots or public networks. The VPN offers a layer of security that even the most experienced hacker will find difficult to penetrate!
