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How to set up IKEv2 manual connection on iOS

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In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up the IKEv2 VPN connection on your iOS device.

You will need a device running the iOS operating system and an active Surfshark subscription, which you can purchase on our pricing page.

 

Get your credentials

NOTE: These are not your regular credentials, such as your email and password.

  1. Enter the Surfshark login page and log in. Then, click on Products > VPN > Manual Setup > Desktop or mobile > IKEv2 to generate your credentials.
    Surfshark mobile site with IKEv2 highlighted under Choose a protocol

  2. Once there, make sure that you are in the Credentials tab and click on Generate new credentials.

    NOTE: Keep this tab open as we'll need it later.

    IKEv2 Credentials tab with Generate new credentials highlighted

 

Find server hostnames

 

Every server has a hostname that you will need to use to connect to the specific VPN location. You can find all the hostnames in the Locations tab.

  1. Here, you will see a list of all the servers.
  2. Tap on the location of your choice. Once you do, you will be able to see the server address.
    Download configuration files with the Vienna server address highlighted

 

Download and install the IKEv2 profile

 

  1. Scroll down to the bottom of the Locations tab. Tap on the IKEv2 certificate to start the download.

    NOTE: We highly recommend downloading them through the Safari browser, as other browsers may not work correctly.
    Locations list with IKEv2 certificate under Other configuration files highlighted
  2. Once you press download, you may get a pop-up. Press Allow.
    Safari prompt to allow a configuration profile download with Allow highlighted

  3. When the download is complete, you will get a notification – Profile Downloaded.
    Profile Downloaded alert after the IKEv2 certificate download

  4. Open the Settings app. You will notice a tab saying Profile Downloaded. Tap on it.
    iOS Settings with Profile Downloaded highlighted

  5. After opening the profile, click Install.
    Install Profile screen for Surfshark Root CA with Install highlighted

  6. Confirm the installation by clicking Install again.
    Warning screen for Surfshark Root CA with Install highlighted

  7. When the installation is complete, tap Done and proceed to the next step.
    Profile Installed screen for Surfshark Root CA with Done highlighted

Connect to the VPN

 

  1. Open the Settings app on your device, go to General, and tap on the VPN & Device Management tab.
    iOS General settings with VPN and Device Management highlighted

  2.  Select Add VPN Configuration...
    VPN settings with Add VPN Configuration highlighted

  3. Fill in all the required details:

    Type: IKEv2.
    Description: Your preferred name of this connection.
    Server: the hostname of the server. Refer to the Find server hostnames part of this article.
    Remote ID: the same hostname that you entered in the Server field.
    Local ID: leave empty.

    User Authentication: Username.
    Username: Your Surfshark service credentials username. Refer to the Get your credentials part of this article.
    Password: Your Surfshark service credentials password. Refer to the Get your credentials part of this article.
    Proxy: Off.

    Press Done after entering all the details.
    Add Configuration form filled for an IKEv2 Surfshark connection

  4. From now on, you will find the configured VPN profile in the VPN tab that you will always find in Settings > General.

    Move the slider to connect and disconnect from the VPN    .
    VPN settings showing Surfshark Vienna connected with the status toggle on General">

 

Ensure the connection is successful

 

We always recommend checking if Surfshark VPN is working after setting it up for the first time. You can easily do it by performing Surfshark IP leak test and a DNS leak test. For your convenience, both are available on our website.




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