VPN, a topic we often discuss here at Appletips, is a technology that enables an encrypted and secure network connection for your internet traffic. The abbreviation VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.
More and more internet users realize that a VPN offers extra security and privacy. In addition, you can also access videos from foreign streaming services with a VPN. Before you can get started with a VPN connection, you must first select a VPN provider. Fortunately, there are a wide range of options available, and downloading and installing a VPN client is easy.
Why use a VPN connection?
When it comes to VPN connections, it is often said that they are only useful when you use a public Wi-Fi network with your iPhone, iPad or Mac. However, this is not the case. A VPN is also very valuable while on the road on a mobile network or at home, because it conceals your identity. With a VPN you are connected to a large network of users who all share the same IP address, which makes it much more difficult for others to track you.
When connecting to a website via a VPN server, it only records the IP address of the VPN server and not the IP address of your own router or device. This makes it significantly more difficult to link your internet traffic back to you. This way you continuously increase your privacy on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, because you are much less visible to trackers.
Hide your location with a VPN
Most VPN providers offer a range of locations for their VPN servers, allowing you to use a VPN client positioned in America or the Netherlands. This is ideal to bypass geographical blocks during your holiday (you can then use the Dutch connection) or to watch an Australian series that is only available to Australian residents. Create a VPN connection for the desired country and use it when necessary.
Secure and encrypted
With a VPN, no one, except the provider itself, can view your internet traffic. This makes it safe to use public networks, which is highly recommended if you use them often. In addition, a VPN connection hides your visits to websites because your IP address is not visible, allowing you to access sites that may be blocked by your ISP or country.
The VPN software encrypts all your data traffic, so no one can simply intercept your data. This combination of encryption and a hidden IP address makes it impossible for hackers, governments, your internet provider and your employer to see what you do online. Only the fact that a VPN connection is active is visible; which websites you visit remains hidden.
Which VPN provider to use
You will find various VPN providers on the internet, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. It is a matter of trying and testing which one suits you best. It completely depends on your usage, as the VPN providers offer different services and speeds. Always read the terms and conditions of the VPN provider; for example, some prohibit sending e-mail (to prevent SPAM) and others record usage, where retention times may vary.
Below we have listed a number of VPN providers that are currently on sale. Of course, you can also look for a VPN provider or a free version yourself (read the conditions carefully here!):
- NordVPN: the most famous VPN server
- Proton VPN: from the makers of proton mail and based in Switzerland
- ClearVPN: Simple and powerful
- Surfshark VPN: Secure your connection
Install VPN on an iPhone, iPad or Mac
Setting up a VPN on all your devices depends on the VPN provider. Certain VPN providers offer a dedicated app for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and even tvOS that allows you to connect easily and quickly. For other carriers, you can use the default settings of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to connect.
Manually install a VPN
- Open  ▸ System Settings on your Mac
- Go to ‘Network’ and choose ‘VPN’
- Click on the plus button
- Fill in the desired components that you obtained from your VPN provider
On an iPhone or iPad you do this via Settings â–¸ VPN â–¸ Add VPN configuration. Enter the desired information that you received from your VPN client.
Once the data has been added, you can activate VPN directly from the home page in settings on your iPhone or iPad or via  ▸ System Settings ▸ VPN ▸ Connect.
VPN on an Apple TV
Since tvOS 17, you can also download and install a VPN app directly on an Apple TV. You can then establish the VPN connection from the app and thus secure network traffic or adjust the geographical location of the Apple TV.
To use a VPN or not?
Using a VPN on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac is highly recommended because it encrypts your internet traffic with advanced encryption like AES-256, which prevents hackers, ISPs, and third parties from intercepting your data, especially on public Wi-Fi networks or cellular connections.
In addition, a VPN hides your IP address, increases your privacy by minimizing tracking, prevents bandwidth throttling by providers and lets you bypass geographic blocks to access streaming services such as Netflix or Dutch content abroad.
Even on Apple’s secure ecosystem, a VPN addresses online vulnerabilities, protects sensitive information like banking information and identity, providing an essential layer of extra security for everyday use.
Differences between Private Retransmission and VPN
Private Relay (iCloud Private Relay), part of an iCloud+ subscription, is fundamentally different from a VPN in that it mainly protects Safari browser traffic on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) via two relay servers that hide your IP address and keep it region-specific, without allowing you to choose a specific country, and it does not cover all your internet traffic or other apps/browsers, limiting it to privacy against tracking without bypassing geoblocks.
A VPN, on the other hand, encrypts all your device traffic (apps, browsers) via one server with powerful protocols like AES-256, lets you choose servers worldwide to access region-blockable content like Netflix offerings, offers additional features like kill switch and split tunneling, works on all platforms (not just Apple), but requires a third party to trust for logging policies.
In short, Private Passthrough is a simple, built-in privacy tool for everyday Safari use without installation, ideal for basic protection, while a VPN is more versatile and complete for security, speed and international access on any network.