How to set up OpenVPN manual connection
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How to set up OpenVPN client on Android

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In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up the OpenVPN app on your Android device. 

 

You will need a phone or tablet running Android and an active Surfshark subscription, which you can purchase on our pricing page.

 

You will learn how to:

 

Get your credentials

Do not confuse these with your regular credentials, namely your email address, and password.

 

Here is how you can get your Surfshark credentials:

  1. Go to this page. This is the page where we store all details required for manual connection.

    You may need to log in before proceeding to this page. In that case, enter your email address and your password, then click Log in.

    Switch to the Credentials tab. You will find the Surfshark service credentials here. It is a good idea to keep this page open for now. You will need these credentials a bit later.

    Mobile_credentials_Android.png


Download configuration files

 

 

  1. Go to this page. It’s the same page where you found your Surfshark service credentials but click on the Files tab instead, where you will find all the configuration files.

  2. Download configuration file(s) of your preferred location. If you'd like to connect to Poland, download the Poland - Warsaw or Poland - Gdansk configuration file. If you prefer connecting to Finland, download the configuration file for Finland - Helsinki.

    Tap on the flag icon of your chosen location. 

    Server_list__on_mobile.png
  3. Then select which file to download - UDP or TCP. Those are two different VPN protocols. We recommend the UDP protocol because it is usually faster, but feel free to read more about other protocols and decide yourself.

    Mobile_UDP_and_TCP_files_selection.png

 

Install the app

 

First things first - if you don't have access to the Google Play Store on your device, or you can not find the OpenVPN app there, you can download the .apk version of this app from here.

If you have access to the Play Store, follow the steps below.

  1. Launch the Google Play Store app.

    Open_Play_Store_app.png

  2. Use the search bar to search for OpenVPN.

    Search_for_OpenVPN.png

  3. You may find several different apps for OpenVPN connection. But for this tutorial, we used the one you can see in the picture below.

    Press on the Install button.

    Install_the_OpenVPN_app.png

  4. Once the installation finishes, click Open to launch the app.

    Click_Open_to_launch_the_installed_app.png


    From now on, the app will appear on your home screen, so you don't have to open the Play Store each time.


    OpenVPN_app_appears_on_the_sreen.png

 

Add new VPN profile

 

  1. As soon as you open the OpenVPN app, you will see a screen as in the picture below.

    Homescreen.png

  2. Remember the file you have downloaded during the "Download configuration files" part of this tutorial? You need to upload it now, so switch to the FILE tab.

    You can find the previously downloaded configuration file in your phone's Download folder, so click on it.

    Download_folder.png


  3. You will see a list of files that are in this folder. Tap on Surfshark's configuration file and press Import.

    Select_the_configuration_file_and_click_Import.png

  4. Fill in the required details.

    Profile name: you can use any name
    Username: the service username you copied from the "Get your credentials part"
    Password: the service password you copied from the "Get your credentials part"

    Click ADD.

    Enter_the_details_and_click_Add.png


Connect to the VPN

 

  1. Once you add the new VPN profile, it should appear on your OpenVPN app's home screen.

    To connect to the VPN, tap on the gray switch.

    Move_the_switch.png

  2. When connecting for the first time, you will see this request to set up a VPN connection. Without your permission, the OpenVPN app won't be able to make a VPN connection. Click OK.

    VPN_setup_permission_request.png

  3. You may also get this pop-up informing you about the certificate. The certificate was included in the configuration file, so click CONTINUE.

    Continue_without_the_certificate.png

  4. If the VPN connection is successful, you will see the connection status on your screen.

    It shows that you're connected, as well as some details about the connection.


    Screen_shows_the_connection_status_and_other_data.png

  5. To disconnect from the VPN, tap on the switch (which is green now). As soon as you disconnect, the switch will turn gray.

    To change the VPN location, download a new configuration file for your preferred location (as shown in this part), then add a new profile (as shown in this part).

 

Make sure your connection was successful

 

It's always recommended to check whether your connection was successful after setting up a VPN for the first time. This can be easily done by doing an IP leak test and a DNS leak test which is available on our website. Click here to find out how to make sure your connection was successful.

 

Congratulations - you have successfully installed and configured the OpenVPN app! As long as you’re connected, your location is private, and your sensitive data is secure.

 

 

You may also be interested in:

  1. How to make sure if my connection was successful?

  2. How to fix unstable connection issues on Android?

  3. How to securely watch Netflix with Surfshark?

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