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Google’s old VPN by Google One cannot be installed anymore. Google discontinued that subscription benefit on June 20, 2024, so the former Windows, Mac, and non-Pixel Android instructions no longer work. A Google One subscription alone does not restore access.
Google still provides VPN by Google as a built-in feature on eligible Pixel phones and the Pixel Tablet. Google Fi subscribers have a separate VPN entitlement that can also work on supported non-Pixel Android phones. This guide explains the current setup path for each device, what to do when the option is missing, and which limitations matter.
Current as of August 9, 2026: the correct installation path depends on the device and account you have.
The current answer at a glance
| Device or account | What works now |
|---|---|
| Pixel 7 or later phone | Use the built-in VPN by Google through Android Settings. It is available at no additional charge on eligible devices. |
| Pixel Tablet | Use the built-in VPN by Google, subject to account, software, and regional eligibility. |
| Google Fi phone | Use the Google Fi VPN if the device, Android version, and region meet Fi’s requirements. |
| Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, Xiaomi, or another non-Pixel Android phone without Google Fi | Google One no longer supplies a VPN. Install a separate VPN provider’s app or manually configure a VPN supplied by an employer, school, or provider. |
| Windows PC or Mac | There is no current Google One consumer VPN desktop client. Use another VPN service. |
| Chromebook | Use ChromeOS’s built-in VPN options, a compatible Chrome VPN app, or an Android VPN app on supported Chromebooks. |
| Google One subscription alone | It no longer includes the former VPN benefit. |
What happened to VPN by Google One?
The product many people remember was called VPN by Google One. Google introduced it in 2020 as a Google One benefit, initially associated with higher-tier plans, and later expanded it to additional plans and platforms. The old service included apps for Android, Windows, and macOS, which is why older guides say that people without Pixel phones could use Google’s VPN.
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Google announced that it would discontinue the service because of low usage and a decision to focus on other Google One features. The shutdown date was June 20, 2024. The end of that service is documented in the coverage of Google’s shutdown notice.
The shorter name VPN by Google now refers to a different, integrated feature for eligible Pixel devices. It is not a replacement Google One app that can be downloaded to any Android phone or computer.
Older articles may still tell you to visit one.google.com, open Benefits, select VPN protection for multiple devices, and choose Download app. Those were valid historical instructions, including the former Windows 10 64-bit and macOS 11-or-later requirements, but they are not a supported installation route in 2026. The original 2023 installation guide describes the discontinued product.
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Install VPN by Google on a Pixel phone or Pixel Tablet
Google’s current Pixel documentation describes VPN by Google as available on Pixel 7 and later phones and the Pixel Tablet. This is a device-integrated feature, so you should not need to download a separate Google VPN APK or find a Google One benefit in the Google One app.
Check the prerequisites first
Before troubleshooting the Settings menu, check the conditions that can affect eligibility:
- Use a supported Pixel device or Pixel Tablet.
- Have an internet connection when enabling the VPN.
- Use a personal Google Account or an eligible Google Workspace Account. A Workspace administrator may restrict the feature.
- Do not use a supervised account or an account type, including some child accounts, that is not eligible.
- Install current stable Android and security updates.
- Use a device that is not rooted.
- Keep the bootloader locked. An unlocked bootloader can prevent the VPN from working.
- Avoid beta or otherwise unofficial Android builds if the VPN fails to appear or connect.
- Be in a supported country or use an account whose country version is eligible.
Google’s current Pixel VPN help page lists the supported device, account, software, and location conditions. A Google One subscription is not one of the Pixel VPN prerequisites.
Standard setup steps
- Open Settings on the Pixel device.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap VPN.
- Tap VPN by Google.
- Review the disclosures and permissions.
- Tap Use VPN.
When the connection is active, Android displays a key icon in the status bar. You can return to Settings > Network & internet > VPN > VPN by Google to view its controls or turn it off.
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- Swipe down to open Quick Settings.
- Tap the pencil or edit control.
- Find VPN by Google in the available tiles.
- Add the tile to your active Quick Settings panel.
The tile provides faster access to the VPN and its pause controls. The exact edit icon can vary slightly between Android releases.
Turn the Pixel VPN off
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet > VPN > VPN by Google.
- Turn off Use VPN.
Supported countries and travel restrictions
Google’s current listed countries and regions include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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The United States is supported, but being physically located in a supported country is not the only consideration. Availability is associated with the Google Account’s country version, as well as the device and account requirements. When traveling, the VPN continues to work only in Google’s supported travel locations. Because the complete travel list can change, check Google’s current location and travel guidance before relying on it abroad.
VPN by Google is not a country-selection or streaming-unblocking tool. Google states that the service cannot be used to deliberately change your IP location to access content that is restricted in another region.
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Pause the VPN on the current network
To temporarily stop protection on the network you are currently using, open Settings > Network & internet > VPN > VPN by Google and select Pause VPN.
The pause remains in effect until the phone connects to a different network. That makes it useful for a temporary compatibility test without permanently disabling the feature.
Pause automatically on selected Wi-Fi networks
- Open the VPN by Google settings.
- Tap Pause VPN on selected networks.
- Tap Add beside the Wi-Fi network.
- Grant location permission if Android requests it. Google uses that permission to identify specific Wi-Fi networks.
To remove a network later, return to the same list and tap its trash or delete control. Use this only for networks you trust, because traffic on a paused network is outside the VPN.
Exclude an individual app
- Open VPN by Google settings.
- Tap Exclude selected apps.
- Tap Add beside the app you want to bypass the VPN.
Excluding an app can resolve problems with a game, banking app, streaming app, or carrier app that does not work correctly through a VPN. The trade-off is important: traffic from an excluded app is no longer protected by VPN by Google.
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Exclude carrier apps
Some carrier and internet-service-provider apps need to see the carrier-assigned IP address. If Google offers the option on your device, use Settings > Network & internet > VPN > VPN by Google > Exclude selected apps > Exclude carrier apps.
Google Fi is a separate exception
Google Fi explains why two apparently conflicting claims can both be true: Google’s regular Pixel documentation describes a Pixel-integrated VPN, while Google Fi offers a VPN benefit to Fi customers on a broader range of phones.
According to Google Fi’s current support documentation, VPN by Google is available on phones with Google Fi service when the device, Android version, region, and other requirements are satisfied. It is a benefit of Fi wireless service, not a free standalone Google VPN account for any Android phone.
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Google Fi Android requirements
- Pixel 7 and later devices require Android 15 QPR2 or later according to the current Fi documentation.
- Pixel 6 and earlier devices require Android 13 or later.
- Non-Pixel Android phones require Android 13 or later.
- Regional availability still applies.
- Using the VPN increases data usage.
Set up the Fi VPN from the Google Fi app
- Open the Google Fi app.
- Scroll to Phone settings.
- Tap Privacy & security.
- Tap Manage VPN in Settings.
- Turn on Use VPN.
On a Pixel, the same connection can generally also be reached through Settings > Network & internet > VPN > VPN by Google > Use VPN. Do not apply Fi’s non-Pixel eligibility rules to a non-Fi phone: owning Google One does not create the same entitlement.
Other Android phones: Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, Xiaomi, and more
If you have a non-Pixel Android phone and do not use Google Fi, there is no Google One VPN waiting to be activated. The Android VPN screen is a generic VPN client; it is not a hidden installer for the discontinued service.
You have two practical options:
- Install a separate VPN provider’s app. Choose a provider that supports your Android version, install its app from Google Play or the provider’s official source, sign in, and approve Android’s VPN connection request.
- Manually add a VPN profile. Use this for a work, school, business, or provider-managed VPN when the administrator supplies the server and authentication details.
Manually add a VPN profile in Android
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet. On some manufacturers, the wording or location differs.
- Tap VPN.
- If necessary, tap Add.
- Enter the VPN information supplied by your administrator or provider, including the protocol, server, identity, and authentication details requested by the form.
- Tap Save.
- Select the saved VPN profile.
- Enter your credentials if prompted, then tap Connect.
These steps configure a VPN profile that you already have the details for. They do not recreate Google One VPN access. Google’s generic Android VPN instructions cover the profile setup.
Do not download a random APK labeled Google VPN. The current Pixel service is integrated into the operating system, and unofficial APK sources cannot restore the discontinued Google One service and may create security or authenticity risks.
Windows and Mac: there is no current Google One desktop client
Google no longer offers a consumer Google One VPN app for Windows or macOS. The old desktop application was shut down with VPN by Google One on June 20, 2024. A Google One plan, even one that historically included the VPN, cannot restore it.
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Desktop VPN selection checklist
- Support for your current Windows or macOS version.
- A trustworthy download source and a signed, maintained installer.
- Automatic startup or connect-on-demand, if you need protection whenever the computer is online.
- A kill switch if you want to prevent traffic from leaving the VPN when the connection drops.
- Split tunneling if selected apps or sites must bypass the VPN.
- Clear logging, privacy, and data-retention policies.
- Reliable support and updates.
Do not treat an old installer found in a cached page, download archive, or forum post as a supported Google VPN. It may be obsolete, unable to connect, or unsafe to install.
Chromebook options
A Chromebook is not a Windows or Mac computer, and the former Google One desktop app is not a Chromebook solution. ChromeOS supports several VPN approaches, including built-in IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec, basic OpenVPN support, basic WireGuard support on some Chromebooks, VPN apps from the Chrome Web Store, and Android VPN apps on Chromebooks that support Google Play.
Configure a built-in Chromebook VPN
- Select the time in the bottom-right corner.
- Open Settings.
- In the Network section, select Add connection.
- Choose Add built-in VPN.
- Select the protocol that matches the information supplied by your administrator or VPN provider.
- Enter the server, authentication, certificate, and identity details.
- Select Connect.
Install a VPN Android app on a Chromebook
- Open the Launcher and then open the Play Store.
- Search for the VPN provider you have chosen.
- Install the provider’s app.
- Open Settings > Network > Add connection.
- Select Add [app name].
- Follow the provider’s setup instructions.
Some Chromebooks are managed by a school or employer, which can restrict VPN installation or configuration. Google’s Chromebook VPN documentation lists the currently supported methods and setup paths.
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What to do when VPN by Google is missing
On an eligible Pixel, search Android Settings for VPN rather than looking for a standalone home-screen app. Then work through this checklist:
- Confirm the model. The standard Pixel entitlement covers Pixel 7 and later phones and the Pixel Tablet. Pixel 6 and older devices are not promised eligibility by the regular Pixel documentation.
- Check whether Google Fi applies. If the phone has Google Fi service, use the Fi requirements and setup path instead of assuming the regular Pixel rules apply.
- Check country and account eligibility. Confirm that the Google Account’s country version and current region are supported.
- Update Android. Install the latest stable Android release and security updates.
- Check device integrity. Rooting, an unlocked bootloader, beta software, or another unofficial build can prevent the integrated VPN from working.
- Check the account. Switch from a supervised or restricted account if appropriate. For a Workspace account, ask the administrator whether VPN access is blocked.
- Check connectivity. The phone needs a working internet connection to establish the VPN.
- Do not sideload an APK. The absence of the Settings entry is an eligibility or software-state issue, not a reason to install an unofficial Google VPN package.
When the VPN connects but something does not work
A VPN can be connected while particular traffic bypasses it or an app rejects the connection. Use the following troubleshooting branches:
- A banking app, game, streaming app, or carrier app fails: first pause the VPN briefly to confirm the cause. If it is the cause, add only that app under Exclude selected apps. Remember that the excluded app loses VPN protection.
- The carrier app behaves incorrectly: check Exclude carrier apps in the VPN settings.
- Internet access stops entirely: turn the VPN off and test the underlying Wi-Fi or mobile connection. Then reconnect after checking for Android updates and account eligibility.
- You want to bypass it at home: use Pause VPN on selected networks and add the trusted Wi-Fi network. Location permission may be required.
- You are using a hotspot: do not assume connected status protects the devices using that hotspot. Google lists USB and Wi-Fi tethering traffic as traffic not protected by VPN by Google.
- You are using a work profile: some work-profile traffic may not be covered by the personal VPN. A company-managed VPN may be required for work data.
- You are traveling: verify that the destination is one of Google’s supported travel locations. Home-country support does not guarantee worldwide availability.
Privacy, coverage, and performance limitations
VPN by Google is intended to route supported device traffic through a VPN tunnel, which can help protect that traffic from local network observers and prevent sites from seeing the device’s ordinary public IP address. That does not mean every packet from the phone passes through the VPN, nor does it make the user anonymous.
What Google says about data
Google says that it does not use VPN by Google to track, collect, or sell online activity. Google also says it retains minimum aggregate logs needed for quality of service and may use anonymous usage information for service quality and diagnostics. Therefore, calling it a completely no-logging service would be too broad.
Using the VPN also does not stop Google products from associating activity with your Google Account. For example, VPN routing does not prevent Chrome or another Google product from recognizing an activity when you are signed in and the product itself associates that activity with your account. These privacy statements and limitations are described in Google’s Pixel VPN documentation. Google’s older VPN by Google One technical and privacy white paper provides historical context for the former service, but it should not be treated as current Google One availability documentation.
Traffic that may not be protected
Google identifies several types of traffic that may not pass through VPN by Google, including:
- USB and Wi-Fi tethering or hotspot traffic.
- Push notifications.
- Wi-Fi calling and IMS traffic.
- Some work-profile traffic.
- Apps that route directly over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- Any app or network deliberately excluded in VPN settings.
These exceptions are why a connected key icon should not be interpreted as proof that every connection from every profile and app is inside the VPN.
Speed, battery, and data trade-offs
Routing traffic through a VPN can reduce connection speed, add latency, consume additional battery, and increase mobile-data usage. Google Fi specifically warns that its VPN increases data usage. If a connection becomes noticeably slower, compare performance with the VPN temporarily paused and check whether a specific app or network should be excluded.
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Which option should you choose?
- You own a Pixel 7 or later or Pixel Tablet: try the built-in VPN by Google first. It costs nothing extra on an eligible device and requires no Google One subscription.
- You use Google Fi: check the Fi app’s Phone settings > Privacy & security > Manage VPN in Settings path and verify the Android version requirements.
- You use another Android phone: choose a separate VPN provider or configure the profile supplied by your employer, school, or provider.
- You need protection on Windows or Mac: choose a VPN service with a current desktop application. Google One is not an option.
- You use a Chromebook: use the built-in protocol that matches your provider’s details, or install a compatible ChromeOS or Android VPN app.
- You want a selectable foreign IP address: VPN by Google is not designed for that purpose. Select a provider only after verifying that it explicitly supports the location and use case you need.
Related official and historical references
For the current Pixel requirements, controls, privacy statements, and limitations, see Google’s Pixel VPN help page. For Google Fi eligibility and setup, see Google Fi’s VPN support page. For generic Android profiles, see Android’s VPN setup instructions. For Chromebook methods, see Google’s Chromebook VPN guide. The original Google One VPN product explanation and the 2023 installation guide are useful historical references, but describe the discontinued VPN by Google One rather than a current desktop service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google One VPN still available?
No. Google discontinued VPN by Google One on June 20, 2024. A Google One subscription no longer includes VPN access for Windows, Mac, or ordinary non-Pixel Android phones.
Can I install Google’s VPN on Windows or Mac?
Not as a current Google One consumer product. The former Windows and macOS apps are discontinued. Use another VPN provider with a maintained Windows or macOS application.
Can I use Google’s VPN on a Samsung or OnePlus phone?
Not through Google One. A non-Pixel Android phone can use the Google Fi VPN if it has Google Fi service and meets Fi’s requirements. Otherwise, install a separate VPN app or configure a VPN profile supplied by an administrator or provider.
Does a Pixel 6 have VPN by Google?
The regular Pixel documentation promises the built-in service for Pixel 7 and later phones and the Pixel Tablet, not Pixel 6 and earlier. A Pixel 6 or older phone with Google Fi may qualify for the separate Fi VPN when it meets Fi’s Android requirements.
Does Google Fi include a VPN?
Google Fi says its VPN is available on phones with Google Fi service, including supported non-Pixel Android phones. Current Fi documentation requires Android 13 or later on non-Pixel phones and Pixel 6 or earlier, while Pixel 7 and later require Android 15 QPR2 or later.
Does VPN by Google let me appear to be in another country?
No. Google says the service cannot be used to change your IP location to access content that is unavailable in your region, and it does not provide a selectable country list.
Does VPN by Google protect hotspot traffic?
Do not assume it does. Google lists USB and Wi-Fi tethering traffic among the traffic not protected by VPN by Google. Some work-profile, push-notification, Wi-Fi-calling, IMS, and directly routed app traffic may also bypass it.
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Check the model, supported country and account, Android and security updates, bootloader state, rooting, beta or unofficial software, account supervision, Workspace restrictions, and internet connection. Search Settings for VPN rather than looking for a separate app icon.
Does the VPN hide my Chrome activity from Google?
Not necessarily. Google says the VPN does not use VPN activity for tracking, collection, or sale, but VPN routing does not stop Chrome and other Google products from associating activity with your signed-in Google Account.
Can I use VPN by Google and another VPN at the same time?
Do not expect two independent VPN tunnels to work normally together. Android VPN services generally compete for the device’s active VPN connection, so enabling a separate provider may replace or disconnect the Google or Google Fi VPN. Use one active VPN unless your provider documents a supported VPN chain.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: you cannot install the former Google One VPN on a Windows PC, Mac, or ordinary Android phone in 2026. Use the built-in VPN by Google on a supported Pixel 7-or-later phone or Pixel Tablet, use the separate Fi VPN if you are a qualifying Google Fi customer, and choose another VPN service for desktop computers, non-Pixel Android devices, or country-selectable VPN needs.
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