How to Turn Off VPN on Android Phone

Many people take the privacy of their data for granted, assuming that just because the platforms they use are “private” that their personal information won’t be accessed by hackers or other third parties. While it’s true that most companies and websites you visit won’t have the technical ability to access your personal information, it’s not always the case, as proven by a number of high-profile data breaches.

If you agree that your data privacy is worth protecting, then you should look into turning off services that you don’t need on your Android device. One of the lesser known VPN services is Pi-hole, a free and open-source software client that blocks ads, trackers, and malware by terminating VPN connections for apps that are not authorized by the user. While this may not sound like something you need to worry about, it’s important to know how to disable VPNs on your device in case they somehow end up being used against you.

How Does Pi-hole Work?

Pi-hole works by identifying VPN connections and blocking them, based on a number of criteria. One of the most important factors is the IP Address that you’re trying to connect to. When a VPN is turned on, the IP Address that you’re using will be shared with the provider, and all DNS requests (which allow websites to recognize your device) will go through that IP Address. If you’re using Pi-hole, then all DNS requests will be restricted so that they can’t be routed to the VPN server. This effectively blocks any attempts to track your activity online because the websites you visit can’t connect to the public IP Address that Pi-hole has assigned to your device.

If you decide that you want to use Pi-hole, then the first thing you should do is install the app on your smartphone or tablet. Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to enter a unique identifier (either a username or a password) for the account that you’re using to connect to the VPN. This is so that Pi-hole can tell whether or not you’re still connected to the VPN after a period of inactivity.

How to Turn Off VPN on Android Phone

In the settings of your Android device, you will find the name of the app that you’re using to connect to the VPN. In the case of the NordVPN and AnchorFree clients, this is VPN Settings. If you’ve ever used the VPN app on your device before, then you’ll know how easy it is to turn it off and on again. The steps below will walk you through the process of disabling VPN on your Android phone.

Open the app and locate the gear icon in the top right corner. Next to it, you will see a person with a camera icon. Tap this icon and select “turn off VPN”. You will then see the message “Connection cancelled” at the top of the screen.

The gear icon will reappear when you turn off the VPN. Now, you can stop VPNs from connecting to your device in the first place by selecting “no connection” when you turn on the app. For added security, it is highly recommended that you change the default port number for the VPN connection to something higher (8124 or 8125 are usually used for VPNs). This prevents attacks from hackers that try to access your device remotely, by trying to connect to the default port number for the VPN service.

If you decide that you want to keep using VPNs and don’t want to disable them on your Android device, then you can follow these steps to change the settings for a specific account:

1. From the home screen of your Android device, long press the app icon for the VPN service. This will open up the app’s settings screen.

2. Now, you need to locate the account that you want to change the settings for. To do this, open the app’s settings screen and tap the gear icon in the top right corner. A menu will appear, listing all of the accounts for the app.

3. You will now see a list of all accounts for the app. From here, you can choose the specific account you want to change the settings for by selecting the name of the account.

4. On the next screen, you will see the relevant account’s information. From here, you can select “change password”, “change account type”, or “turn off VPN”. In the case of the NordVPN and AnchorFree clients, the last option is “turn off VPN”, as shown below:

5. Once you’ve selected this option, a new screen will appear with a message requesting that you enter your password to confirm. Enter your password and tap the OK button to continue. You will now see the message “Connection cancelled” at the top of the VPN’s settings screen.

At this point, your VPN connections should be disabled on your device. You can re-enable them by repeating the steps above, selecting “turn on VPN” and entering your password when asked.

Why Should You Be Careful With What You Use and How You Use It?

Even though we live in a world full of amazing technology and innovation, sometimes technology doesn’t see things as they are. There are many scenarios where a hacker or other third party could potentially access your personal information simply because you use a “free” or “premium” VPN service without properly understanding what they are and how they work. The best approach is to be careful with what you use and how you use it, and exercise caution whenever possible.

What Should You Do If You Fall Victim to a Data Breach?

Although it’s great to have all of this information available whenever you want it, sometimes it’s better not to know too much. Certainty and safety are important things in life, especially when it comes to our personal data. If you somehow become aware that your personal information has been compromised in a data breach, then it’s important to take the time to learn about the incident and what you should do to prevent further issues.

Should You Use a Free or Premium VPN Service?

Ultimately, it’s all about the user agreement and the privacy policy for each and every VPN service. It’s important to read these documents carefully and know what your legal rights are in case you have a data breach. Most VPN providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don’t like their service, so you can try out a free demo first.