Download a VPN app for Android

Android comes with a VPN capability, but you need to set up the VPN manually. Also, the built-in Android VPN supports the PPTP, L2TP, and IPsec VPN protocols, but they’re outdated and insecure. To increase your online protection on Android, choose a reliable VPN service like NordVPN. It will improve the privacy and security on your phone without slowing you down.

You may be tempted to get a free Android VPN, but it isn’t worth the risk. Free VPNs don’t offer the same level of security and privacy as reliable paid VPNs. They may bombard you with ads, push you to upgrade to a paid version, or even sell your data to third parties. If you want to secure your connection and protect your sensitive data, get a reliable paid VPN service instead.

Using a VPN on an Android phone is safe — as long as you choose a reputable provider and download apps from trusted sources. A trustworthy VPN company will prioritize user privacy and security. It will have plenty of privacy-enhancing features and will not track its users.

NordVPN, for example, is a reputable VPN with millions of users worldwide. Three independent assurance engagements have confirmed it doesn’t track its users, showing it puts user privacy first. If you decide to install NordVPN using an APK file, only download it from this website.

The best Android VPN for you will depend on your needs and preferences. A VPN you get for bypassing censorship may offer different features than a VPN for gaming.

However, the best VPN providers tend to offer strong, reliable encryption, a user-friendly app, global server coverage, and 24/7 customer support. These VPNs won’t track you online and even let you try the service risk free with a money-back guarantee. If you’re looking for the best VPN for Android, make sure to check out NordVPN.

A VPN APK is a file that contains the software needed to install and run a VPN on an Android device. APK stands for “Android application package” — a file format that installs apps on Android devices. Like an EXE file on Windows or an IPA file on iOS, it contains all the information an app needs to install in one place.

APK files are an alternative to downloading Android apps from the Google Play Store. You may choose them for various reasons, such as not being able to access Google Play or if the app has different features.

An APK VPN is safe to download from trusted sources. Many reliable VPN providers offer an APK version of their app, available to download from their official website.

However, using shady third-party websites to download VPN APK files may be unsafe. Modded APKs work poorly and can be used to steal your credentials and track your activity — the complete opposite of what a reputable VPN offers. That’s why you should only download files from the websites you trust. To protect your device, check out more Android security tips.

NordVPN’s mobile VPN app works with Android 11, Android 10, and Pie. For earlier Android versions, you’ll need to use a manual configuration. Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Redmi, Realme, Oppo, Huawei, OnePlus, Motorola, Sony Xperia, Nokia, Vivo, Asus, Tecno, Infinix, Doogee, and Lenovo tablets are supported.

In addition to English, the NordVPN Android app supports French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Swedish, Dutch, Arabic, Polish, and Portuguese.