Notification

After Google One phases out VPN by Google One later in 2024, owners of Pixel 7 and newer devices will continue to have access to Google’s VPN service via Pixel's built-in VPN at no extra cost.

Connect to a virtual private network (VPN) on your Pixel device

You can connect your device to a private network, like your school or company's network, when you're not there. You make this kind of connection through a virtual private network (VPN).

Important: VPN by Google One is built into Pixel 8 and later. If you have Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, or Pixel Fold, to access VPN by Google One at no extra cost, you can download and install the Google One app. Learn how to increase your online security with VPN by Google One.

Use VPN by Google One (Pixel 8 & later)

Who can use VPN by Google One

Pixel 8 and later phones have access to the optimized built-in VPN at no extra cost.

A personal Google account or Workspace account is also required to connect the VPN. Please note that workspace administrators may restrict access to the VPN.

Other Google One membership benefits are sold separately. This VPN offer does not impact the price or benefits of Google One paid plans.

The VPN may not work on your Pixel if:

  • There isn’t an available internet connection on your phone. Check your network settings and troubleshoot connection issues.
  • You’re in a country or region that isn’t supported. Check where the VPN is available.
  • Your Google Account isn’t eligible. Certain supervised accounts, like a child’s account, aren't eligible.
  • Your device is rooted or isn’t up-to-date with security updates.
  • Your bootloader is unlocked.
  • You run a beta or other unofficial version of Android.

When you use the VPN, you can’t change your IP location to view online content that isn’t available in your region.

Where the VPN is available
The VPN is available in select countries or regions:
  • Austria
  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

To confirm your Google Account is associated with one of these countries, check the country listed next to “Country version” on Google’s Terms of Service page.

If you have the VPN turned on and your country or region is listed above, the VPN still works when you travel to other countries or regions. If a country or region isn’t listed below, the VPN won’t work when you travel to that location.

Tip: When you use the VPN, you can’t change your IP location to view online content that isn’t available in your region.

Where the VPN is available when traveling

If the VPN is turned on, and your home country or region is listed above, you can use the VPN when you travel. When you travel outside your home country or region, the VPN still works in the locations listed below. If a country or region isn’t listed below, the VPN won’t work when you travel to that location.

Tip: All countries or regions listed in the above section “Where VPN is available” also support travel functionality.

  • Åland Islands
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • American Samoa
  • Andorra
  • Anguilla
  • Antarctica
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Aruba
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bermuda
  • Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bouvet Island
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cabo Verde
  • Cameroon
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chad
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Croatia
  • Curaçao
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • French Southern Territories
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guatemala
  • Guernsey
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Haiti
  • Heard Island and McDonald Islands
  • Holy See
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Jamaica
  • Jersey
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kiribati
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Liberia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Martinique
  • Mauritania
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Nauru
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • Panama
  • Pitcairn
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Republic of North Macedonia
  • Romania
  • Saint Barthélemy
  • Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
  • Saint Martin (French)
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • San Marino
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Sint Maarten (Dutch)
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Tajikistan
  • Togo
  • Tokelau
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • United States Minor Outlying Islands
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Virgin Islands (British)
  • Virgin Islands (US)
  • Wallis and Futuna
  • Western Sahara
Turn on the VPN
  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then VPN and then VPN by Google One.
  3. Review the disclosures and requested permissions.
  4. If you agree, tap Use VPN.

Tip: The VPN will check your phone for apps that are associated with your mobile carrier and suggest that you exclude them from the VPN. You can change this setting later.

Stay private on VPN

To help protect your privacy, the VPN automatically connect each time you join a network. When the VPN is connected, at the top of your screen, you’ll find the Key .

The VPN hides your data and Internet activity from hackers on public Wi-Fi or unfamiliar internet providers. This keeps you safe from websites and app cookies that can track your location or the websites you visit.

Pause VPN on the current network
  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then VPN and then VPN by Google One.
  3. In the connection status panel, tap Pause VPN.

Tip: The VPN will remain paused until your device connects to a different network. (Example: If you pause the VPN on the mobile network when you’re not at home, the VPN will reconnect to your home Wi-Fi when you return.)

Use Quick Settings to pause VPN

You can create a tile to get to the pause settings faster:

  1. Open Quick Settings. Learn how to find Quick Settings.
  2. Add the “VPN by Google One” tile.
Pause VPN automatically on selected networks

You may choose to have the VPN pause automatically on certain networks, such as your mobile network.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then VPN and then VPN by Google One.
  3. Tap on Pause VPN on selected networks.
  4. Tap Add next to the network that you would like to pause the VPN on.

Tip:

  • To exclude specific Wi-Fi networks, you must give the VPN permission to use your location.
  • To stop automatic pause, return to this screen and tap Trash .
Exclude apps from VPN

You may choose to exclude certain apps from VPN. For example, you may exclude a multiplayer game if you don’t want latency from the VPN to impact your game play.

By adding an app to this list, its traffic will no longer be protected by the VPN.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then VPN and then VPN by Google One.
  3. Tap Exclude selected apps.
  4. In the list of apps, tap Add next to the app that you would like to exclude from the VPN.

Tip: If you no longer want to exclude traffic from a specific app from the VPN, simply return to this screen and tap Trash.

Carrier apps & VPN

Some mobile carrier and internet service provider apps require use of their network. When these apps are excluded from the VPN, they'll use the IP address your carrier assigns to you. This helps the apps function properly.

VPN by Google One gives you the option to be notified when carrier apps are installed. You can decide whether or not to exclude them from the VPN. When you first turn on the VPN and “Use VPN on mobile network” this option is automatically allowed.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then VPN and then VPN by Google One.
  3. Tap Exclude selected apps.
  4. Turn on Exclude carrier apps.
  5. Review the list of installed carrier apps and tap Exclude.

If no carrier apps are already installed when you activate this feature, you’ll be notified and prompted to exclude them when they're installed in the future. Learn how to exclude exempted apps from the VPN.

Turn off VPN

To deactivate the VPN:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then VPN and then VPN by Google One.
  3. Turn off Use VPN.
Data & battery impacts from VPN

While VPNs are designed to provide an extra layer of protection for your online traffic, any VPN may:

  1. Increase your data costs, based on your internet data plan.
  2. Reduce internet speeds.
  3. Increase internet connection latency.
  4. Reduce your phone’s battery life.

Some mobile carrier data plans support special exemptions for certain apps, including video and audio streaming services, so that they don’t count against your data allowance. The VPN will interfere with your carrier’s ability to recognize that traffic.If you have this type of plan, you can set the VPN to exclude the exempted apps from the VPN connection.

Some websites and apps may behave differently or not function correctly when the VPN is connected. You may choose to exclude those apps from the VPN or temporarily pause the VPN to address these issues.

Data that isn’t protected by the VPN

Not all network data from your phone is protected by the VPN. Examples of data that aren’t protected by the VPN include:

  • Tethering traffic
    • This includes USB and Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Push notifications
  • Wi-Fi calling and other IMS services
  • Work profile app traffic
    • This applies if a work profile is configured on your phone.
  • Data traffic from an app that routes traffic directly over the Wi-Fi or a cellular connection

Data collected by Google

Google will never use your VPN connection to track, collect, or sell your online activity. Your network traffic and your IP address aren’t associated with your account or identity. However, Google’s VPN service performs some minimum aggregate logging to ensure quality of service. Learn more about minimum aggregate logging.

Some anonymous data about VPN usage on your device may also be sent to Google, including how it impacts battery life. You can control this by going to Settings and then Security & privacy and then More security & privacy and then Usage & diagnostics.

While VPN secures your device connection, it doesn’t affect how Google collects data when you use other Google products and services. For example, Chrome may continue to store your Chrome browsing history associated with your Google Account. To manage the types of data saved to your account, you can review your Google Account’s privacy controls.

How VPN by Google One is different on Pixel 8 & later

On Pixel 8 and later, VPN by Google One differs from both VPN by Google One on the Google One app and the Google Fi VPN.

  • This version of VPN by Google One is optimized for the best performance on Pixel and provides a fully integrated experience in your phone’s settings. It’s available on Pixel 8 and later at no extra cost.
  • On other devices, Google One paid members can access the VPN through the Google One app. Learn more about VPN by Google One.
  • VPN that can be used from the Google Fi app is also included in Google Fi subscriptions. The Fi VPN is separate from VPN by Google One. Learn more about Google Fi VPN.
  • Only one VPN can be used at a time.

Use VPN by Google One (Pixel 7a & earlier, including Fold)

You can use the VPN by Google One at no extra cost by downloading and using the Google One app. Learn how to increase your online security with VPN by Google One.

Use a work, school, or third party VPN on any Pixel device

To learn how to use a third party VPN, go to Connect to a virtual private network on Android.

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