Read on to find out how you can disable VPN on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.
VPN can help you make your connection secure, but there are times when you need to disable it. A lot of people don’t know how to disable VPN, and this is because the process is different for every device.
Key Takeaways
Turning off VPN reveals your data and IP address while browsing, allowing third parties to view your activity online.
You can directly disconnect VPN on any device from the VPN app’s Disconnect button.
If the VPN has an Auto-Connect feature, you may need to go to VPN settings to disable the connection permanently.
Why Should I Turn Off My VPN?
A VPN is essential for maintaining digital privacy, so we would never recommend turning it off. However, on some occasions, you may need to disable it temporarily.
If you use a free VPN and have been facing network connectivity issues lately, there is a high chance of your VPN contributing to network bandwidth loss. In this case, you will need to install a faster VPN to browse the internet while remaining secure online.
You may need to disable VPN to troubleshoot your connection or set up a new internet connection on your device. Another reason you may need to disconnect VPN on your device is if a specific location restricts VPN use, such as official workplaces or even some countries like China and North Korea block VPNs.
What Happens When I Disable VPN?
A Virtual Private Network is an application that masks your identity online by hiding your IP address. Your IP address has information about your location, so turning off your VPN will reveal this information to the web servers you connect to and your Internet Service Provider. Disabling your VPN can expose you to security threats such as malware-ridden files and malicious ads and make you more vulnerable online.
If you use a VPN to access geo-blocked websites or content, you will not be able to view them anymore since you will be connecting to the internet using your IP address.
How To Disable VPN
Here are the methods which can help you disconnect VPN.
Using The App
The most straightforward and quickest method to turn off VPN on your Windows desktop is to disconnect it through the VPN application. Launch the VPN app you are using from the Start Menu and click on the “Disconnect/Disable” option on the screen to disconnect the VPN.
Disconnecting VPN via the app – Image Credits [Emopulse]You can turn off the “Auto-Connect” feature from settings in your VPN application to disable it permanently.
Disconnect VPN On Windows From Settings
You can turn off VPN from Network & Internet settings if, for some reason, you cannot disconnect it from the application.
Go to “Start Menu” and click on the settings “gear” icon.
Select “Network & Internet” from Windows settings.Network & Internet Settings – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Click on the “VPN” tab to see the VPNs installed on your PC.VPN Connections – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Select the VPN you want to disable and choose “Disconnect” to turn it off.Disconnect VPN – Image Credits [Emopulse]
From Network Connections On Windows
Another way to disconnect VPNs quickly on Windows is through Network Connections in the Control Panel. You can access network connections for your PC by searching for network connections in the Start search bar.
Type “view network connections” in the search bar.Network Connections – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Open the first option, and you will be able to see connected networks.Disconnect VPN – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Select the VPN and right-click on it.
Choose “Disable” from the menu to turn off VPN.
On Android Device
There are two ways to turn off VPN on your Android mobile. You can either go directly to the VPN app and disconnect it or turn VPN off from Android settings.
Go to “Settings” from the main menu.
Choose “Connections” from the settings list.Connections Android – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Scroll down to find “more connection settings” and tap on it.Connection Settings – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Select “VPN” from More Connection Settings.VPN Settings Android – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Click on the “gear” icon for your connected VPN.VPN Settings – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Tap “Delete” from the pop-up to disconnect it.Delete VPN – Image Credits [Emopulse]
On iPhone
Like Android, you can directly disconnect VPN on your iOS device from the VPN’s app. You can also uninstall the VPN app to disable it.
Another way to turn off VPN on iPhone or iPad is through the General settings.
Go to “Settings” on your iOS device.Settings – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Tap on “General” settings.
Go to “VPN & Device Management” from General settings.General Settings – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Select the VPN you want to disable and open its settings.VPN – Image Credits [Emopulse]5. Toggle the status and turn it off to disable VPN.Disable VPN – Image Credits [Emopulse]
On Mac
You can disable VPN from Network settings in System Preferences on Mac devices.
Click on the “apple icon” at the top-left of the screen.
Select “System Preferences”, and a new screen will open.System Preferences – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Select “Network” from System Preferences.Network – Image Credits [Emopulse]
You will be able to see a list of networks. Select VPN from the list.Network List – Image Credits [Emopulse]
Click on “Disconnect” to turn off VPN on Mac.
Benefits Of Turning Off VPN On Your Device
Disabling the VPN can speed up your internet speed. Free VPNs do not have the infrastructure to provide internet activity without speed loss and can slow down your network.
You can avoid content bottlenecks by turning off VPN.
You can troubleshoot your internet connection after turning off your VPN connection.
If you are using a VPN on your device, you may not be able to set up a new network. Turning off VPN will allow you to set up a new internet connection on your device.
The use of VPNs can affect your device’s battery life. Disabling it will optimize your device’s battery.
Some streaming websites or banking apps ban VPNs, such as PayPal. Disabling VPN will allow you to access such sites.
Drawbacks Of Disabling VPN On Your Device
Disabling VPN on a device you connect to public networks will often expose it to cyberattacks.
Paid VPNs block you from seeing ads that may contain malware on your device. Turning off VPN will allow annoying ads while you browse.
If you use VPN to access restricted content, you will not be able to continue doing so once it has been disabled.
The most significant disadvantage of disabling a VPN is that your privacy can be compromised online, and you may face data thefts from hackers trying to snoop in on your business.
Final Word
This was everything you needed to know about how to disable VPN. If you are using a paid VPN app like NordVPN, you may not need to turn it off since these VPNs are fast and safe. However, free VPNs can come with issues such as connectivity errors.
We do not recommend turning off your VPN because disabling it even for a second can expose your data to hackers. If you need to turn it off for troubleshooting, we suggest connecting VPN again as soon as the problem is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to disable VPN on any device?
You can turn off VPN on any device by going to the VPN app and clicking on the "Disconnect" button. You can also disable VPN from Network or Connection settings on your device. We recommend disabling your VPN temporarily and not permanently.
Is it safe to disable VPN?
No, turning off VPN on your device makes it vulnerable to cyberattacks. This is because your data is not encrypted anymore and anyone can intercept your network traffic or IP address to hack into your device.
Do I need to use a VPN on home network?
Even if you are using a home network to connect to the network, there are still risks of cyber threats. Your ISP will have knowledge of your online activity and IP address if you do not use a VPN and hackers can launch an attack on your data.
