iPhone setup

Set up TekLan VPN on iPhone

Install the app you want to use, then scan a WireGuard QR code or import an OpenVPN profile created in the Dashboard.

iPhoneiPhone PlusiPhone ProiPhone Pro MaxiPhone SE

Use this guide for a supported iPhone running iOS. The available menus follow the installed iOS version rather than the model name.

App Store
Version 4.5.0
Download on the App Store
iPhone Connect screen: protected, with the selected location, protected IP, connection time and data totals

Set it up

Choose how to connect

TekLan VPN app for iPhone

Install from the App Store

Current version: 4.5.0 · What the app does

Before you begin

  • Update this iPhone to iOS 17 or later and connect it to the internet.
  • Have your TekLan VPN email address and password ready.
  • Allow app installation and approve the system VPN request when prompted.

Steps

Install and sign in

  1. Open the App Store on your iPhone, search for TekLan VPN and tap Get. On this iPhone, you can use the App Store button below.
  2. Open TekLan VPN, read the note about your data and tap Agree and continue. Then sign in with your TekLan VPN email address and password, or with Sign in with Apple if it is linked to your account.
    TekLan VPN sign-in screen on iPhone: Sign in with Apple, then email and password boxes and a Sign in button
    Sign in with your TekLan VPN account.

Connect

  1. Tap Locations and choose where you want to appear to be. Search by city or country, or tap the star to keep a favourite at the top.
    iPhone Locations screen: a searchable list of cities with their ping
    Pick a location from the list.
  2. Tap the big button on Connect. The first time, iOS asks to add a VPN configuration: tap Allow and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
    iPhone Connect screen showing Protected, with the chosen location, connection time and data totals
    Protected means you are connected.
Download on the App Store

Check the connection

  1. Confirm the TekLan VPN app reports Connected.
  2. Check that the system VPN indicator remains visible where supported.
  3. Open a browser and confirm the public IP address changes.
  4. Disconnect in the app and confirm normal internet access returns.

If it does not connect

  • Confirm this iPhone has internet access before starting the VPN.
  • Disconnect any other VPN application.
  • Approve the system VPN request if it appears again.
  • Sign out, restart the app and sign in again.

Still stuck? See the help articles, or open a support ticket with the exact error you see.

WireGuard for iPhone

Import a WireGuard tunnel

Use the QR code when the Dashboard is open on another screen. If the Dashboard is open on this iPhone, download and import the .conf file instead.

Before you begin

  • Install the official WireGuard app from the App Store.
  • Make sure this iPhone has a working internet connection.
  • Open the TekLan VPN Dashboard on this device or another trusted screen.

Move the WireGuard profile to this device

After creating the profile, choose the delivery route that suits where the Dashboard is open.

  • Download profile: save the .conf file on the device you are setting up.
  • Email: select Send profile, then Send email. The Dashboard sends the .conf attachment to your account email address.
  • Device access code: select Send profile, then Get code. On the device you are setting up, open dash.teklanvpn.com/get, enter the code and select Download profile. The code expires after 15 minutes and works once. Generating another code replaces it.
Send VPN profile window: Send email to the account address, and a one-time device access code to enter at dash.teklanvpn.com/get
Send profile: email the file, or get a one-time code.

Steps

Create the profile

  1. Sign in to the client area, open your active VPN service and select Manage VPN Dashboard.
  2. Select Add device.
    Devices page in the TekLan VPN Dashboard with the Add device button above the list of devices
    Add device starts a new profile.
  3. Type a name you will recognise, such as My phone, and select Continue.
    New VPN profile, step 1 of 4: the profile name box filled in with My phone
    One profile for each device.
  4. Keep Best available location or pick a location, choose WireGuard and select Continue.
    New VPN profile, Location step: a VPN location menu and WireGuard selected as the protocol
    Choose WireGuard.
  5. Select Continue again (the advanced options can stay as they are), check the summary and select Create VPN profile.
    New VPN profile, Review step: name, location, protocol and network, with the Create VPN profile button
    Check the details, then create the profile.
  6. When the profile shows Ready, select Set up this device and choose your type of phone. The Dashboard shows a QR code to scan, with Download profile and Send profile below it.
    Connect this device window with iPhone / iPad selected, a QR code (blurred in this picture) and the Download profile and Send profile buttons
    Scan the QR code from another screen, or download the file on this phone.

Import with the QR code

  1. Leave the Dashboard QR code visible on the other screen.
  2. Open WireGuard on this iPhone and tap the + button.
  3. Select Create from QR code.
  4. Allow camera access if iOS requests it, then scan the Dashboard QR code.
  5. Enter a recognisable tunnel name if WireGuard asks for one.

Use this route only when the QR code is displayed on another screen.

Import on the same device

  1. Download the .conf file from the Dashboard.
  2. Open WireGuard and tap the + button.
  3. Select Create from file or archive.
  4. Open the Downloads folder and select the TekLan .conf file.
  5. Confirm the import.

Connect

  1. Turn on the switch beside the imported tunnel.
  2. Approve the VPN connection request when iOS displays it.
  3. Check that the tunnel remains active and the system VPN indicator appears.

Check the connection

  1. Confirm the imported WireGuard tunnel remains switched on.
  2. Check that the operating system VPN indicator appears where supported.
  3. Open a browser and confirm the public IP address changes.
  4. Switch the tunnel off and confirm normal internet access returns.

If it does not connect

  • Disconnect any other active VPN application or tunnel.
  • Delete the failed tunnel and import a newly generated .conf file.
  • Confirm the system date and time are correct.
  • Note the exact WireGuard error before opening a support ticket.

Still stuck? See the help articles, or open a support ticket with the exact error you see.

OpenVPN for iPhone

Import an OpenVPN profile

Import an OpenVPN profile from the Dashboard into the OpenVPN Connect app on your iPhone.

Before you begin

  • Install OpenVPN Connect on iPhone.
  • Have your TekLan VPN email address and password ready.
  • Allow the application to save and import an .ovpn file.

Move the OpenVPN profile to this device

  • Download profile: save the .ovpn file on the device you are setting up.
  • Email: select Send profile, then Send email. The Dashboard sends the .ovpn attachment to your account email address.
  • OpenVPN credentials: select Show OpenVPN credentials and keep the displayed profile username and password available. The password unlocks the private key inside the file. It is not your TekLan VPN password.

Steps

  1. Download and install the OpenVPN Connect app from the App Store.
  2. In the client area, open your active VPN service and select Manage VPN Dashboard. Select Add device, name the device, choose OpenVPN on the Location step and create the profile.
    Selecting OpenVPN in the Dashboard
    Choose OpenVPN.
  3. Select Set up this device and choose iPhone / iPad.
    iPhone connection options in the Dashboard
    Choose iPhone / iPad, then select a profile delivery option.
  4. Use Download profile or Send profile. Open the file and share it to OpenVPN Connect, or upload it from Menu → My Profiles → Add.
  5. Confirm the import. If asked for the private-key password, use Show OpenVPN credentials.
  6. Turn on the imported profile and allow iOS or iPadOS to add the VPN configuration.

Check the connection

  1. Confirm OpenVPN Connect reports the imported profile as Connected.
  2. Check that the operating system VPN indicator appears where supported.
  3. Open a browser and confirm the public IP address changes.
  4. Disconnect the profile and confirm normal internet access returns.

If it does not connect

  • Use Show OpenVPN credentials in the Dashboard if the app requests the private-key password.
  • Disconnect another active VPN before retrying.
  • Delete the failed profile and import a newly downloaded .ovpn file.
  • Note the exact OpenVPN error before opening a support ticket.

Still stuck? See the help articles, or open a support ticket with the exact error you see.

Helpful answers

Features

What TekLan VPN for iPhone and iPad does

One tap to connect, with WireGuard and OpenVPN built in and locations worldwide.

  • WireGuard and OpenVPN

    Both protocols are built in, so there is no profile to import.

  • Locations worldwide

    Choose a city from our worldwide network. Each location shows its city first, then its country.

  • Live connection details

    Data received and sent, connection time and your protected IP, updated while you are connected.

  • Bypass

    Leave chosen websites, IP addresses or ranges outside the VPN, for a bank or service that blocks VPNs. Up to 50 entries.

  • Accessories keep working

    CarPlay, AirPlay, notifications and Wi-Fi calling stay off the VPN so they keep working. Needs iOS 17.4 or later; off while Bypass has entries.

  • Local network access

    Keep printers, casting and other devices on your home network reachable while connected.

  • Leak test

    Check that your IP address and DNS requests stay inside the VPN. On the DNS page.

  • DNS lookup

    Look up a website’s address through the VPN’s DNS to see what it answers.

  • Dedicated IP

    If you have a private server or dedicated IP, it is listed first under “Your private servers”, with its IP address.

  • Control Center button

    Connect or disconnect from Control Center without opening the app. It also works from the Lock Screen.

  • Live Activity

    See your connection on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. iPhone only.

  • Sign in with Apple

    Sign in with your Apple Account, or with your TekLan VPN email address and password.

  • Subscribe in the app

    Subscribe or restore purchases in the app, billed by Apple. One subscription covers iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

  • Your language

    English, German, Spanish and French, following your device’s language.

Screenshots

See the app

iPhone Connect screen: protected, with the selected location, protected IP, connection time and data totals
iPhone Locations screen: a searchable list of cities with their ping
iPhone VPN settings: protocol, Smart DNS, ad blocker and automatic reconnect
iPhone Connect screen in dark mode
iPhone Locations screen in dark mode
iPhone VPN settings in dark mode
Requirements

What you need

  • iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 17 or later.
  • A TekLan VPN plan, or subscribe in the app.
  • Allow the VPN configuration when iOS asks the first time.
Questions

Frequently asked

Is the iPhone app the same as the iPad app?

Yes. One app from the App Store runs on both, and your plan or Apple subscription covers both.

Can I use WireGuard or OpenVPN apps instead?

Yes. The setup guides also show how to import a WireGuard or OpenVPN profile from the Dashboard.

What is Bypass for?

Some banks and streaming services block VPN addresses. Add them to Bypass and only those sites use your normal connection.

Do I need a separate subscription for each app?

No. One TekLan VPN plan covers every app; each device uses one of your plan’s connections while it is connected.

Where are the servers?

Worldwide. The app lists every location your plan includes, and you can switch whenever you like.

Other TekLan VPN apps

Phones and tablets
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