How to set up Surfshark VPN on iOS

 

In this tutorial, you will learn how to install the Surfshark VPN app on your iPhone or iPad.

To follow the instructions in this tutorial, you will need to have an iOS device running iOS 16.1.0 or later and an active Surfshark VPN subscription. If you don’t have a subscription yet, you can purchase it on our pricing page.

Note: The video above reflects an older version of Surfshark, which will be updated in the future.

Step 1: Install the Surfshark app

1. Locate the App Store app on your device and open it:
   
   
    
2. Search for Surfshark and tap on the download icon. Once you do, the installation will start:
   
   
    

Step 2: Log into the Surfshark app

1. Once the installation is complete, close the App Store and locate the Surfshark app on your device. Tap the Surfshark icon, and the app will open:
    

   
    

2. If you already have an active subscription, log in as an existing user:
   
   
   
   If you don't have the subscription yet, feel free to sign up by clicking create account:
   
   
    
3. Enter your registered email and password and tap Next:
   
   
   
   Alternatively, you can press Log in with another device.
    

Step 3: Connect to the VPN

Once you log in, you will land on the Homepage of your Surfshark app. When making a VPN connection for the first time, Surfshark needs to add VPN configurations to your device to create and manage the VPN tunnel.

After tapping connect, a pop-up will appear. Tap Allow and enter your device's PIN code if prompted to proceed:

Quick-connect

The fastest way to secure your connection is by using the Quick-connect button. By default, this feature automatically connects you to the most optimal server available:


 

You can also customize this by tapping the Change button to set your default "Quick-connect" location to either the "Fastest server" or the "Nearest country." Your selection will be saved automatically for future use:

Choose from the list

If you need a specific location, you will find the full list of servers under the Recommended tab, which is the default view when you open the app. 

Surfshark offers over 4500 servers in 100 countries—simply tap on the flag icon of your preferred country or city to initiate the connection.

Search for a location

To find a specific country, city, or server even faster, use the Search bar at the top of the locations list:



Just type the name of the destination you are looking for, and the app will instantly filter the results for you:

Dedicated IP

For users who require a consistent IP address that isn't shared with others, you can connect using the Dedicated IP option:


 

NOTE: Dedicated IP is not included in Surfshark bundles and needs to be purchased separately. Only 1 Dedicated IP can be purchased per account.

Advanced

By tapping Advanced at the top of the Surfshark app, you can find additional connection types for specific privacy and stability needs:


 

• Static IP: Selecting this option ensures you get the same IP address each time you connect to these specific servers:
  
  
   
• MultiHop: This feature connects you through two different VPN servers in different locations simultaneously, providing an extra layer of security. You can choose from the available server pairs in this tab:
  
  

Ensure the connection is successful

You will receive a notification once the connection is successful. The connection status will also appear on the homepage of your Surfshark app. If it says Connected and safe, your internet connection is secured:


 

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.

Manage Surfshark features

Open the Antiscam tab in your Surfshark app, where you will find:

• Unsafe site blocking
   
  • Web content blocker allows you to block access to your chosen website categories, such as adult, drug, gambling, weapon, and even scam websites.
• Personal data masking
   
  • Alternative ID
  • Alternative Number
• Dark web monitoring
  
  

Manage Surfshark settings

The Settings menu allows you to tailor the Surfshark application to your specific needs. To begin, tap the Settings icon located in the bottom right corner of the app dashboard:


 

VPN settings

Select VPN settings to manage your connection preferences and security features:


 

Here, you can do the following:

• Edit Quick-connect allows you to choose which location to connect to directly from the main screen.
• Enable Auto-connect. The app automatically connects you to the VPN as soon as it finds a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, or if you restart the app.
• Enable Surfshark CleanWeb feature. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts.
• Enable the Surfshark Kill Switch feature. It protects you from unexpected VPN disconnections.
• Change the connection protocol. 
• Access the Surfshark Bypasser feature. Here you can configure which websites are unaffected by the VPN connection.
  
  
  
  Scroll further down within the VPN settings menu to access advanced settings:
  
  
   
• Enable Rotating IP. This feature changes your IP address to the chosen location every 5 to 10 minutes without disconnecting from the VPN. 
• Enable the Surfshark NoBorders feature. It helps you connect in network-restrictive environments.
• Enable Invisible on LAN. This feature makes your device undetectable by other devices on the same network.

App settings

The App settings section controls the interface and behavior of the application itself:



Here, you can:

• Check the current version of your Surfshark app.
• Change the App's appearance (dark, light, or one that follows your device's theme).
• Change the App language.
• Configure which notifications are visible.
  
  

My account

Access My account to manage your personal details and subscription status:



In this section, you can review your subscription plan, manage active devices, log out of your current session, or initiate the account deletion process:

Get help

If you encounter issues or have questions, the Get help section provides various support resources:


 
Here, you can do the following:

• Contact our customer support.
• Manage your previous conversations with Surfshark support agents.
• Provide diagnostics from your Surfshark app if you experience an issue.
• Reset your VPN profile.
• Accessing our Help Center guides.
• Access our Privacy policy and Terms of service.
  
  

Refer and earn

The Refer and earn program rewards you for sharing Surfshark with others. Open this tab to find your unique referral link. By recommending Surfshark to friends, you can earn free months of service and other exclusive rewards:

You may also be interested in:

• How to make sure if my connection was successful
• Common terms used in the VPN world
• What speed can I expect with a VPN? Are there any bandwidth limitations?