How to change your VPN depends on what device you're using and whether you want to switch to a new VPN service or just disconnect
The steps differ between phones, computers, and tablets. On most devices, you either uninstall the old VPN app and install a new one, or you log out of your current account and log into a different one within the same app. If you're using a VPN built into your operating system (like on Windows or Mac), you'll go into network settings instead of an app. The process takes between two and five minutes on any device.
Before you switch, decide whether you're moving to a different VPN company entirely or just changing which server location you're connected to. If you're staying with the same company, you usually just pick a new location from a dropdown menu. If you're switching companies, you'll need to remove the old one first so the two don't conflict.
Key Takeaways
- On phones and tablets, uninstall the old VPN app from your app store, then download and open the new one — you don't need to change any settings.
- On Windows or Mac, you can disconnect from a VPN through network settings without uninstalling anything, then connect to a different one.
- If you're staying with the same VPN company, just open the app and select a different server location from the list.
- After you switch, check that your new VPN is actually connected by visiting a website that shows your IP address — it should show a different location than your actual one.
Switching VPNs on iPhone or iPad
Open the App Store, find your current VPN app, and tap "Remove" or the minus sign. Wait for it to disappear completely from your home screen. Then search for the new VPN app you want to use, tap "Get," and follow the prompts to download it.
Once the new app is installed, open it and create an account or log in with your credentials. Most VPN apps will ask permission to add a VPN configuration to your device — tap "Allow" when prompted. Then select a server location and tap "Connect." You should see a VPN icon appear in the status bar at the top of your screen, which means the connection is active.
If you want to stay with the same VPN company but just change locations, you don't need to uninstall anything. Open the app, look for a server list or map, and tap a different location. The app will disconnect from the old server and connect to the new one automatically.
Switching VPNs on Android
Open Google Play Store, find your current VPN app, and tap "Uninstall." Confirm the removal. Then search for the new VPN app, tap "Install," and wait for it to finish downloading.
Launch the new app and log in or create an account. Android will ask permission to set up a VPN connection — tap "Allow" or "OK." Select your preferred server location and tap "Connect." A VPN icon will appear in your notification bar when the connection is active.
Some Android devices show a warning message that the VPN can monitor your traffic — this is normal and expected. The warning appears because VPNs sit between your device and the internet, so technically they can see what you're doing. That's why it matters which VPN company you choose; read their privacy policy to understand what they do and don't log.
Switching VPNs on Windows
If you installed a VPN app, open the Start menu, go to "Settings," then "Apps," find your current VPN, and click "Uninstall." Confirm the removal. Then download the new VPN app from the company's website or the Microsoft Store, install it, and log in.
If you set up a VPN through Windows settings rather than an app, you can disconnect without uninstalling. Click the Start menu, go to "Settings," then "Network & Internet," then "VPN." Find your current VPN connection and click "Disconnect." To connect to a different VPN, click "Add a VPN" and enter the new connection details, or open your new VPN app if you're switching companies.
After you connect to the new VPN, open a web browser and visit a site like "What is my IP address" to verify the connection is working. Your IP address should show a location different from where you actually are.
Switching VPNs on Mac
If you installed a VPN app, open Finder, go to "Applications," find the VPN app, and drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash. Then download the new VPN app from the company's website or the Mac App Store, install it, and log in.
If you set up a VPN through Mac settings, click the Apple menu, go to "System Settings," then "General," then "Network." Find your current VPN connection and click "Disconnect." To add a new VPN, click the "+" button and enter the connection details for your new VPN, or open your new VPN app if you're switching companies.
Some VPN apps on Mac run in the background and may ask for your password during installation — this is normal. The app needs administrator access to create a network tunnel. After installation, open the app, log in, select a server, and click "Connect."
Changing server locations within the same VPN
You don't need to uninstall or reinstall anything to change which server your VPN connects to. Open your VPN app, look for a server list, map, or "Locations" tab, and tap or click a different country or city. The app will disconnect from your current server and connect to the new one within seconds.
Some VPN apps show a list of servers by country; others show a map you can click on. A few let you filter by speed, server load, or special features like "streaming" or "torrenting." Pick whichever server you want and the app handles the switch automatically. You'll stay logged into your account the whole time.
Troubleshooting a VPN that won't switch
If your new VPN app won't connect after you install it, restart your device first. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then open the VPN app again and try to connect.
If it still doesn't work, check that you have an internet connection by opening a web browser. If the browser works but the VPN won't connect, try selecting a different server location within the app — sometimes one server is overloaded or temporarily down. If that doesn't help, uninstall the app, restart your device again, and reinstall it.
If you're switching from one VPN company to another and the new one won't connect, the old VPN app might still be running in the background. Fully restart your device to make sure the old app closes completely. On some devices, you may also need to go into network settings and manually remove the old VPN configuration before the new one will work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to uninstall my old VPN before installing a new one?
On phones and tablets, yes — uninstall the old app first to avoid conflicts. On computers, you can usually just open the new VPN app without uninstalling the old one, but it's cleaner to remove it. If the new VPN won't connect, restart your device and uninstall the old one manually.
Will I lose my data if I switch VPNs?
No. Switching VPNs doesn't affect your files, photos, or any data on your device. It only changes which service encrypts your internet traffic. Your account information with the old VPN company stays with them; your new VPN company won't have access to it.
How do I know if my new VPN is actually connected?
Look for a VPN icon in your status bar or notification area — it usually appears when the connection is active. You can also visit a website that shows your IP address and check that it displays a location different from your actual one. If the location matches where you really are, the VPN isn't connected.
Can I use two VPNs at the same time?
Most devices won't let you run two VPN apps simultaneously — the second one usually won't connect. If you need to switch between VPNs frequently, keep both apps installed and just open whichever one you want to use. Close one before opening the other.
What if I want to turn off my VPN instead of switching to a new one?
Open your VPN app and click or tap "Disconnect." The VPN icon will disappear from your status bar. If you're using a VPN built into your operating system, go to network settings, find the VPN connection, and click "Disconnect." You can reconnect anytime by opening the app or settings again.