The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes—HTC phones can use VPNs, but the right choice depends first on the Android version installed on your specific phone and whether you want a provider’s app or a manually configured connection. HTC documents VPN setup on several generations of phones; its menu paths vary by model. The provider documentation covered here confirms Android support and setup details, but does not establish a definitive best VPN, comparative privacy, speed, streaming performance, or current offers.
How to choose a VPN for an HTC phone
Start with compatibility rather than the phone brand alone. HTC models run different Android versions and may have different menu labels, so identify your installed version and check the provider’s current app requirements before subscribing or installing.
- On the HTC phone, open Settings > About phone and note the Android version. The exact About phone label or location may differ by model.
- Check the VPN provider’s current Android requirements and installation instructions. For example, ExpressVPN’s Android page, last updated October 5, 2026, lists compatibility from Android 7 through Android 16. See ExpressVPN’s Android setup and compatibility information.
- Decide whether to use the provider’s Android app or enter a VPN profile manually. Manual setup requires the connection details and, depending on the service or organization, may also require credentials or certificates.
- If you need the VPN to stay active or want Android to block traffic when it is disconnected, check whether those operating-system settings are available on your specific HTC model and Android version.
Proton’s support page says Android always-on VPN is available from Android 7.0; that statement is about the Android feature, not a universal minimum Android version for every Proton app release. Read Proton’s always-on VPN instructions. App requirements and feature availability can change, so verify them against the provider’s current documentation.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11What the provider documentation establishes
The available official pages provide useful compatibility and setup checks, but they are not independent comparative reviews. They do not establish which provider has the strongest privacy protections, the fastest performance, the best streaming access, or the best price or offer for your location.
#1 Best Overall
- For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
- Dual-SIM, Network Compatibility, SIM CARD 1 AND 2 [2G : GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and/or3G : HSDPA 800(B6) / 850(B5) / 900(B8) / 1700|2100(B4) / 1900(B2) / 2100(B1) and/or4G : LTE 700(B12) / 700(B17) / 700(B28) / 800(B20) / 850(B5) / 850(B18) / 850(B19) / 900(B8) / 1700|2100(B4) / 1800(B3) / 1900(B2) / 1900(B39) / 2100(B1) / 2300(B40) / 2500(B41) / 2600(B7) / 2600(B38) and/or5G : N1 / N3 / N5 / N7 / N8 / N20 / N28 / N38 / N40 / N41 / N77 / N78 SA/NSA]
- 6.8 inches, OLED, 1080 x 2436 pixels
- 512GB Storage, 12GB RAM, microSDXC
- Android 14, Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm), Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
| Provider | What its cited Android documentation establishes | What it does not establish here |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | Android download information is available; its always-on support page describes Android’s always-on VPN feature and states availability from Android 7.0. Proton VPN for Android. | A universal minimum Android version for the app, comparative performance, privacy superiority, streaming results, or current prices and offers. |
| NordVPN | An Android download page and a support explanation of its Android kill-switch behavior are available. NordVPN for Android and NordVPN’s kill-switch explanation. | Comparative speed or privacy results, streaming success, or current prices and offers. |
| ExpressVPN | Its Android setup page lists Android 7 through Android 16 and was last updated October 5, 2026. A separate support page describes an Android setting for blocking connections without the VPN. ExpressVPN Android setup and ExpressVPN’s Android internet kill switch. | Comparative speed or privacy results, streaming success, or current prices and offers. |
These are provider statements, not a guarantee that every feature will appear on every HTC phone. Android version, model, and software configuration can affect what is available. Use the provider’s app instructions for app-based setup; do not assume a manual Android profile is interchangeable with a provider app or its features.
Set up a VPN using HTC’s Android settings
Before you begin
Have the VPN details from your provider or network administrator ready. HTC’s U12+ instructions require a screen-lock PIN, password, or pattern before credential storage and VPN setup can be used. HTC’s U20 5G instructions also say the phone needs an internet connection before starting a VPN connection.
Rank #2
- Display: 5.0-inches
- Camera: HTC UltraPixel
- Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
- OS: Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
- Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as with GSM SIM cards (e.g. H20, Straight Talk, and select prepaid carriers). Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers like Sprint, Verizon, Boost or Virgin.
Use the menu path for your model
- On HTC U12+, open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced > VPN. HTC’s U12+ guide documents this path and the screen-lock prerequisite. HTC U12+ VPN setup.
- On HTC Desire 12, HTC documents a different path under Wireless & networks. Follow the instructions for that model rather than assuming the U12+ labels match. HTC Desire 12 VPN setup.
- If the menu on your phone differs, search Settings for VPN. Add a profile only if your provider or administrator supplied the required configuration details; otherwise, follow the provider’s Android app instructions.
- Connect only after the phone has internet access. HTC states this prerequisite in its HTC U20 5G VPN instructions.
Always-on VPN and blocking traffic without a VPN
Android includes operating-system settings that can keep a VPN active or block network connections when no VPN is connected. Provider documentation describes these settings, but their presence and behavior on an HTC phone depend on its software version and configuration.
- Always-on VPN: Proton’s documentation says the Android feature is available from Android 7.0. Consult the instructions for your installed Android version and check whether the setting appears on your handset.
- Kill switch or block-without-VPN behavior: NordVPN and ExpressVPN describe Android kill-switch or blocking behavior in their support pages. Confirm the setting and its effect in the provider app and Android settings on your device; do not infer availability solely from the phone being an HTC.
If you cannot find a setting, check the provider’s instructions for your Android version and model. Do not assume that an app-level kill switch and Android’s system-level blocking setting are identical.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What this guide can—and cannot—recommend
Proton VPN, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are reasonable candidates to check for Android compatibility because their official pages document Android downloads or features. That documentation alone is not enough to rank them as the best VPN for HTC phones. No comparative testing or evidence here verifies their privacy practices against one another, connection speeds, streaming access, or regional offers. Choose only after checking current app support for your Android version and the features you actually need.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
