Turning off a VPN on most Android phones is a 3-part task: open the VPN settings, disconnect the active service, and check whether Android or the VPN app will reconnect it. The usual path is Settings → Network & internet → VPN. Select the active VPN, then tap Disconnect or turn off the VPN switch. Menu names vary by Android version and phone manufacturer.

Turn Off a VPN on Stock Android or Google Pixel

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Network & internet.
  3. Tap VPN.
  4. Select the connected VPN.
  5. Tap Disconnect, or turn off the VPN switch.

If you cannot find the menu, search for VPN in the Settings app. Android also lets you forget a saved VPN from this screen. Use Disconnect if you may use the VPN again.

Turn Off VPN by Google on a Pixel Phone

If your Pixel uses VPN by Google:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Network & internet.
  3. Tap VPN.
  4. Tap VPN by Google.
  5. Turn off Use VPN.

A Pixel may also have a VPN tile in Quick Settings if you have added it. Google says VPN by Google can affect connection speed, latency, mobile data use and battery life. Turning it off also removes its protection from your internet traffic.

Turn Off a VPN on a Samsung Galaxy Phone

On many Samsung Galaxy phones:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Connections.
  3. Tap More connection settings.
  4. Tap VPN.
  5. Tap the active VPN.
  6. Tap Disconnect, or switch it off.

Samsung places VPN controls under Connections → More connection settings → VPN. The labels can vary by Galaxy model, carrier and One UI version.

Turn Off a VPN from Its Android App

For a VPN app such as NordVPN, Proton VPN, Surfshark or another provider:

  1. Open the VPN app.
  2. Tap Disconnect, Stop or the power button.
  3. Check that the app says Not connected.

This disconnects the VPN without deleting its Android profile or uninstalling the app.

Stop Android from Reconnecting to the VPN

If the VPN reconnects after you disconnect it:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Search for VPN.
  3. Tap the settings icon next to the VPN.
  4. Turn off Always-on VPN.
  5. If the option appears, turn off Block connections without VPN.

Always-on VPN can reconnect the service automatically. Block connections without VPN can stop apps from accessing the internet while the VPN is disconnected.

The VPN app may also have an Auto-connect, Always connect or Kill switch setting. Turn off those options in the app if the VPN keeps coming back.

Disconnecting Versus Forgetting a VPN

Action What it does
Disconnect Temporarily turns off the active VPN
Forget Removes the saved VPN profile from Android
Uninstall app Removes the VPN app, but may not remove every Android VPN setting
Turn off Always-on VPN Stops Android from reconnecting the VPN automatically

Choose Disconnect if you may use the VPN again. Choose Forget if you no longer want Android to keep the saved connection. Google treats disconnecting and forgetting as separate options in Android's VPN settings.

If the Internet Still Does Not Work After Turning Off the VPN

Try these checks:

  • Reopen the VPN app and confirm that it says Disconnected.
  • Turn off Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN.
  • Restart the phone.
  • Check whether another VPN app, antivirus app or ad-blocking app is using Android's VPN connection.
  • Search Settings for VPN again and remove an old VPN profile if you no longer need it.

Android may show a VPN icon in the status bar while the service is connected. That icon should disappear after you disconnect.