Installing a VPN on Android takes a couple of minutes. Keeping it connected is where most people run into trouble, because Android's battery optimisation quietly closes background apps. This guide covers both.
What you need
- An Android phone or tablet
- Google Play
- About three minutes
Step 1: Install the app
Open Google Play, search for your VPN and tap Install. Check the developer name and download count: fake apps with similar names and icons are a real problem on Android.
Korp VPN on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vpnkorp.app, developed by Korp Systems.
Step 2: Start a subscription
Subscribe inside the app through Google Play, or use whatever payment option the provider offers on its website.
Step 3: Approve the connection request
The first time you connect, Android shows a "Connection request" dialog warning that the app will be able to monitor network traffic. Tap OK.
Android shows this for every VPN, because a VPN by definition routes your traffic through its tunnel. It is exactly why the provider's no-logs policy matters so much.
Step 4: Connect
Tap connect. A key icon appears in the status bar: the VPN is running.
Step 5: Remove battery restrictions
This is the step most people skip, and the most common reason a VPN "randomly" disconnects with the screen off.
Go to Settings, Apps, your VPN, Battery and choose Unrestricted. Manufacturers name this differently:
- Samsung: Apps, your VPN, Battery, Unrestricted. Also check Device care, Battery, Background usage limits and remove the VPN from "Sleeping apps".
- Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO: Apps, your VPN, Battery saver, No restrictions, and enable Autostart.
- Huawei / Honor: Battery, App launch, your VPN, Manage manually, with all toggles on.
- Google Pixel: Apps, your VPN, App battery usage, Unrestricted.
- OnePlus / OPPO / realme: Battery, Battery optimisation, your VPN, Don't optimise; allow background activity.
Step 6: Turn on Always-on VPN (optional)
Android has a system feature that keeps the VPN connected permanently and reconnects it after a reboot.
Go to Settings, Network & internet, VPN, tap the gear icon next to your VPN and enable Always-on VPN. You can also enable Block connections without VPN, so that if the tunnel drops, traffic stops instead of leaking onto the open network. That is Android's built-in kill switch.
Step 7: Check it is working
- Visit a "what is my IP" page: the address should be the VPN server's.
- Run a DNS leak test: the DNS servers shown should belong to the VPN, not your carrier.
Korp VPN has DNS and WebRTC leak tests and a Privacy Score built into the app.
If the VPN will not connect
- Check the internet works with the VPN off.
- If you are on a restrictive network (office, school, hotel, or mobile data that only allows approved sites), turn on the stealth protocol.
- Switch servers.
- Disable other VPNs, proxies, ad blockers that use a VPN profile, and "security" apps while you test.
- Update the app.
- Restart the phone.
Private DNS can interfere
Android's Private DNS setting (Settings, Network & internet, Private DNS) forces DNS through a specific provider. Some configurations conflict with VPNs. If you have trouble, set it to Automatic while the VPN is on.
How to turn it off
Tap disconnect in the app, or pull down the notification shade and tap the VPN notification. Cancel a Google Play subscription in Google Play, Profile, Payments & subscriptions.
Korp VPN for Android
Korp VPN on Android offers unlimited data, a strict no-logs policy on RAM-only servers and a stealth protocol for networks that block VPNs. Plans are $4.99 for three months or $17.99 a year.