How to set up Surfshark VPN on Android

 
In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up the Surfshark VPN app on Android.
You will need an Android device running OS 7.0 or later and an active Surfshark subscription, which you can purchase on the Surfshark plans & pricing page.

NOTE: If you have Android OS 6.0 or higher but under 7.0, you will need to download the Surfshark Android .apk app.

Download and install the Surfshark app

1. Find the Google Play Store app on your device and open it:
   
   
    
2. Type Surfshark into the search bar and choose the first result on the list.
   
   
    
3. The Surfshark VPN app page will open. Click Download or Install, and the installation will complete in a few moments:
   
   
    

Log in to the app

1. Open the Surfshark app:
   
   NOTE: If you installed Surfshark from the Google Play Store, opening the app may briefly redirect you to Google Play to complete a security verification. This is expected behavior. Learn more about why this happens.
   
   
    
2. If you have purchased your Surfshark VPN subscription already, press Log in:
   
   
   
   If you don't have a subscription, tap Create account or visit our plans & pricing page.
    
3. Enter the email address and password you used when registering, and tap Next:
   
   
   
   Alternatively, you can log in with another device or log in with Google, Microsoft, or Apple.
    

Connect to the VPN

Once you log in, you will see the main dashboard of the Surfshark app.

1. You can start by tapping Connect. By default, your app will connect you to the fastest available location.
   
   
    
2. You can switch the location you're connecting to by tapping on the flag/country name:
   
   
   
   Choose the fastest server or the nearest country, or scroll down and pick a server from the locations list:
   
   
    
3. When trying to connect for the first time, you will be asked to allow Surfshark VPN to set up a VPN connection. This lets Surfshark create and manage the VPN tunnel. Tap ok:
   
   
    
4. When your app connects successfully, you will see the connection status on the main screen.
   
   
   
   To disconnect from the VPN, tap the disconnect button. To temporarily pause the connection, tap Pause.
    
5. To view more information about your connection, tap on the arrow at the top right of your screen.
   
   
   
   You'll then be able to see your VPN IP address, the VPN protocol in use, and enable or disable the Kill Switch feature.
   
   
    
   Here you can also favorite the currently selected location by tapping on the star. All favorited locations appear at the top of the locations list.
   
   

Manage Surfshark locations

Surfshark has 4500+ servers in 100 countries. Choose a server, click it, and you're done.

1. Tap on the flag/country name to see all available Surfshark server locations.
   
   
    
2. Tap the server flag to connect.
   
   
    
3. You may have noticed Static IP, Dedicated IP, and MultiHop tabs at the top of your Surfshark app:
   
    
   1. Static IP – you will get the same IP address each time you connect to the Static IP servers.
   2. MultiHop – you'll connect through two different VPN servers. You can choose either of these servers.
   3. Dedicated IP – you will have a dedicated IP address that is yours only. You must purchase it separately.
       

Manage Surfshark features

Open the Products section in your Surfshark app. Besides VPN, you can access 4 additional Surfshark features. To use them, you have to have an active Surfshark ONE subscription:


 

• Surfshark Alert – a tool that alerts you immediately if your personal information (such as email, identification number, or credit card details) appears in breached online databases. 
• Surfshark Antivirus – a tool that protects your device from viruses and malware (malicious software). It offers real-time protection, performs scans, and more. 
• Alternative ID – a tool that generates a brand-new identity and an email to use online. Provides name & email protection, reduces spam emails, and more.

Manage Surfshark settings

You can fine-tune your Surfshark app to your personal preferences. It also includes all the settings you need to customize and troubleshoot your VPN connection.
 

Open the settings page on the Surfshark app. Below, we'll cover all the options available here.


 

VPN settings

Here, you can do the following:

• Enable Auto-connect.
• Configure which server you connect to via the Quick-connect feature.
• Change the connection protocol.
• Enable CleanWeb. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts.
• Enable KillSwitch. It protects you from unexpected VPN disconnections.
• Access the Bypasser. It’s a feature that allows specific apps & websites to bypass the VPN tunnel.
   

Lower in the VPN settings tab, you will find advanced settings:


 

Here, you can:

• Enable Discover on LAN (or Invisible to LAN for older versions). This feature makes your device undetectable to other devices on the same network.
• Enable the Rotating IP. This feature changes your IP address to the chosen location every 5 to 10 minutes without disconnecting from the VPN.
• Enable or disable NoBorders. This feature helps you connect in network-restrictive environments.
• Enable Override GPS location. This feature will match your GPS location with your chosen server's location.
• Enable Small packets. This feature improves connectivity on slower networks.

App settings

Here, you can do the following:

• Change app appearance.
• Change the app language.
• See the current app version.
• Configure the Notifications settings and send crash reports.
• Choose whether the app sends usage analytics.

My account

Here, you can do the following:

• Check your current subscription plan.
• Log out of your account.
• Change your password.
• Delete your Surfshark account.
• Enter a login code.
   

Get help

Here, you can:

• Enter our Help Center by pressing Browse guides.
• Read our Privacy policy and Terms of service.
• Reset your VPN profile when you experience connectivity issues.
• Send diagnostics to the support team by pressing Report a bug.

Web content blocker

Web content blocker allows you to block access to your chosen website categories, such as adult, drug, gambling, weapon, and even scam websites.

Ensure your connection is successful

Check whether your connection works after setting up a VPN. You can do it by performing an IP leak test and a DNS leak test on our website.

You may also be interested in:

• How to enable the GPS override function
• How to fix unstable connection issues on Android
• How to make sure Surfshark VPN is working