Ever wonder how to completely clear out a VPN from your device? Maybe you’re switching to a new provider, troubleshooting a slow internet connection, or just cleaning up your digital life. Whatever your reason, knowing how to properly remove a Virtual Private Network VPN is super important. It’s not always as simple as just deleting an app, and sometimes those old profiles or leftover files can cause unexpected issues or even pose a slight privacy risk if not handled right.

Think of it like this: A VPN is a powerful tool for online privacy and security, and its use is growing rapidly. Did you know that around 33% of internet users worldwide have used a VPN, and that number is projected to keep climbing, with analyses suggesting 10 million additional people might start using VPNs in 2024 alone? This shows just how much we value our digital safety. But just as you carefully choose a VPN, you should also know how to politely say goodbye when it’s no longer serving its purpose. In this guide, we’re going to walk through how to disconnect, disable, and fully delete VPNs from all your main devices and even those pesky browser extensions. We’ll make sure you don’t leave any digital crumbs behind!

Table of Contents

Understanding the Difference: Disconnect, Disable, Delete

Before we jump into the “how-to,” let’s quickly clarify what we mean by disconnecting, disabling, and deleting a VPN, because these terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things:

Disconnecting a VPN is like pausing it. You’re temporarily stopping the VPN connection, so your internet traffic goes through your regular, unencrypted connection. The VPN app or service is still installed and ready to be reconnected whenever you want. You’ll often do this directly from the VPN app or your device’s network settings.
Disabling a VPN is similar to disconnecting but can sometimes refer to turning off features like “Connect on Demand” or “Auto-connect” within the VPN app or system settings. This prevents the VPN from automatically firing up without you telling it to. The app and its configurations are still on your device.
Deleting/Removing a VPN means you’re completely getting rid of the app, its configuration profiles, and any associated drivers or files from your system. This is what you do when you no longer want the VPN at all, or if you’re experiencing issues and need a fresh start.

Most of the time, when people say “remove a VPN,” they actually mean a full deletion, including all leftover bits. That’s what we’re focusing on here – getting that VPN completely off your system!

How to Remove a VPN from Your iPhone or iPad iOS

Let’s start with your Apple mobile devices. Whether you’ve got the latest iPhone 15, an older iPhone 11, or an iPad, the process is pretty consistent across iOS versions. Many people prefer using VPNs on mobile devices. in fact, 52% of people use VPNs on iOS devices, slightly more than Android.

You’ve typically got two main things to deal with: the VPN app itself and the VPN configuration profile it installed in your device’s settings. How to Cancel Your QuickBooks Online Subscription

Method 1: Deleting the VPN App

This is usually the first step, and it’s super straightforward.

Find the App Icon: Go to your iPhone or iPad’s Home screen.
Tap and Hold: Lightly press and hold the VPN app icon like ExpressVPN, Norton VPN, or any other VPN you installed until all the app icons start jiggling.
Tap “Remove App” / “X”: A small “x” or a “minus” icon will appear in the top-left corner of the app icon. Tap it.
Confirm Deletion: You’ll see a pop-up asking if you want to “Delete App.” Tap “Delete” to confirm.

Just removing the app often takes care of a lot, but it doesn’t always completely clear out the VPN configuration profile that the app might have installed in your iOS settings. That’s why the next step is crucial.

Method 2: Removing the VPN Configuration Profile from Settings

Even if you delete the app, a VPN profile might still hang around in your device’s settings. These are like instruction sets that tell your iPhone how to connect to the VPN, and they can sometimes cause issues or show a “VPN” badge even when no app is running. This is especially common for “company VPN from iPad” or “school VPN from iPad” setups, which are often installed via a configuration profile.

Here’s how you get rid of it:

Open Settings: Tap the “Settings” app icon on your Home screen.
Navigate to General: Scroll down and tap on “General.”
Find VPN & Device Management: Scroll down a bit further and tap on “VPN & Device Management” on older iOS versions, it might just say “VPN” directly under General.
Tap “VPN”: In the “VPN & Device Management” section, you’ll see a “VPN” entry. Tap on it.
Select the VPN Profile: Under “PERSONAL VPN” or “DEVICE VPN,” you’ll see a list of any VPN configurations. Tap the “i” icon information button next to the VPN profile you want to remove.
Delete VPN: On the next screen, scroll down and tap “Delete VPN.”
Confirm: A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap “Delete” again to finalize.

Pro Tip for School/Company VPNs: If your VPN was installed by your school or workplace, it might be listed under “Configuration Profiles” within “VPN & Device Management.” You might need to remove that profile first if the “Delete VPN” option isn’t available under the VPN section. You’d tap the profile, then “Remove Profile.” CyberGhost VPN Cancel Plan: Your Full Guide to Unsubscribing & Getting a Refund

Once you’ve done both of these steps, your iPhone or iPad should be completely free of that VPN!

How to Remove a VPN from Your Android Phone

Got an Android device, maybe a Samsung Galaxy, a Google Pixel, or something else? No worries, the process for removing a VPN is pretty straightforward, much like on iOS. Globally, 37% of people use VPNs on Android devices.

Similar to iPhones, you’ll usually tackle this in two steps: uninstalling the app and then checking your network settings for any lingering profiles.

Method 1: Uninstalling the VPN App

This is the quickest way to get rid of most VPN software. How to Cancel Your Potato VPN Subscription: A Simple, Step-by-Step Guide

Find the App Icon: Locate the VPN app icon on your Home screen or in your app drawer.
Tap and Hold: Press and hold the app icon until a menu or an “Uninstall” option appears.
Drag to Uninstall or Select Option:
- On many Android phones, you can drag the app icon to an “Uninstall” option that appears at the top of the screen.
- Alternatively, you might see an “Uninstall” option directly in the pop-up menu.
Confirm: Tap “OK” or “Uninstall” when prompted to confirm.

Method 2: Deleting the VPN Profile from Settings

Just like with iOS, sometimes the app leaves behind a VPN profile in your device’s settings, especially if it’s a “company VPN” or a manually configured connection. You’ll want to clear this out too.

Open Settings: Tap the “Settings” app icon.
Navigate to Network & Internet / Connections: Look for “Network & internet” or “Connections” the exact wording can vary depending on your Android version and phone manufacturer, like on Samsung devices.
Find VPN: Tap on “VPN.” You might need to go into “More connection settings” or “Advanced” first on some devices.
Select the VPN Profile: You’ll see a list of VPN profiles. Tap the gear icon settings icon next to the VPN you want to remove.
Forget or Delete VPN: On the VPN details screen, tap “Forget VPN” or “Delete VPN profile” the wording can vary.
Confirm: Tap “OK” or “Yes” to confirm the action.

For specific devices like Samsung Galaxy, the steps are quite similar: you’d typically go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > VPN, then tap the active VPN and select “Disconnect” or “Forget.”

Once both the app and the profile are gone, your Android device should be VPN-free!

How to Remove a VPN from Your Windows PC Windows 10/11

Removing a VPN from your Windows computer involves a few more steps than mobile, as VPNs can install software clients, network connections, and even drivers. If you’re using Windows 10 or 11, here’s how to get it done. VPNs are quite popular on desktops and laptops, with 72% of users using a VPN on these devices. Cancelling Your PIA VPN Subscription: A Straightforward Guide

Step 1: Uninstall the VPN Application Software

This is the main program you installed.

Open Settings:
- Click the Start menu Windows icon and then click the gear icon for “Settings.”
- Alternatively, press Windows key + I to open Settings.
Go to Apps: Click on “Apps”, then “Apps & features.” On older Windows versions, you might go to “Control Panel” > “Programs” > “Programs and Features” or “Uninstall a program.”
Find the VPN App: Scroll down the list or use the search bar to find the VPN software you want to uninstall e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Norton VPN.
Uninstall: Click on the VPN app, then select “Uninstall.”
Follow Prompts: Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation. You might need to confirm several times.

Important Note for ExpressVPN/Norton VPN on Windows: Sometimes, even after the standard uninstall, some VPNs like ExpressVPN might leave residual files or continue to run in the background. For ExpressVPN, some users report success using third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller to ensure a complete clean-up. For Norton VPN, the process is usually similar to other Windows programs, but it’s good to be thorough.

Step 2: Delete the VPN Connection Profile

Sometimes, uninstalling the app doesn’t remove the actual VPN connection profile from your network settings.

Open Settings: Again, go to “Settings”.
Navigate to Network & Internet: Click on “Network & internet.”
Go to VPN: In the left sidebar, click on “VPN.”
Remove Connection: Find the VPN connection you want to remove, click on it, and then click “Remove.”
- Alternatively, on Windows 10/11, you can also go to “Network & Internet” -> “Advanced network settings” -> “More network adapter options”. This opens the old “Network Connections” window. Right-click on your VPN connection it often looks like a dial-up connection and select “Delete.”

Step 3: Remove Leftover TAP Drivers Advanced, if needed

VPNs often install virtual network adapters called TAP drivers to create their secure connection. These can sometimes linger after uninstalling the app and might cause conflicts.

Open Device Manager:
- Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
- Alternatively, press Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
Expand Network Adapters: In the Device Manager window, expand the “Network adapters” section.
Identify and Uninstall TAP Drivers: Look for entries that include “TAP-Windows Adapter,” “TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter,” “ExpressVPN TAP Adapter,” or similar.
Right-click and Uninstall: Right-click on the relevant TAP driver and select “Uninstall device.”
Confirm Driver Deletion: If prompted, check the box that says “Attempt to remove the driver software for this device” and then click “Uninstall.”
Restart Your PC: It’s a good idea to restart your computer afterward to ensure all changes take effect.

Step 4: Reset Network Settings For Stubborn Issues

If you’re still having trouble or suspect lingering VPN/proxy settings are messing with your connection like if you can’t send emails after removing a VPN, a network reset can be a good last resort. This will reset all network adapters and settings to their defaults, effectively clearing out any hidden VPN or proxy configurations. How to Disconnect VPN on PC: Your Complete Guide

Open Settings: Go to “Settings.”
Advanced Network Settings: Scroll down and click on “Advanced network settings.”
Network Reset: Find “Network reset” and click on “Reset now.”
Confirm: You’ll be warned that this will remove and then reinstall all your network adapters and set other networking components back to their original settings. Confirm to proceed.
Restart Your PC: Your PC will likely need to restart.

This should get your Windows machine completely clean and back to default network settings.

How to Remove a VPN from Your Mac macOS

Mac users, you’re not left out! Removing a VPN from your MacBook or iMac is pretty straightforward, but it also has a couple of parts: removing the application and deleting any configuration profiles.

Step 1: Uninstall the VPN Application

Just like other software, you’ll want to get rid of the app itself.

Quit the VPN App: Make sure the VPN application is not running. You can usually do this by right-clicking its icon in the Dock if it’s there or the menu bar and selecting “Quit.”
Open Finder: Click on the “Finder” icon in your Dock.
Go to Applications: In the Finder sidebar, click on “Applications.”
Drag to Trash: Find the VPN app you want to remove e.g., ExpressVPN, Norton VPN. Click, hold, and drag its icon to the “Trash” icon in your Dock.
- Alternatively, you can right-click the app and choose “Move to Bin” or “Move to Trash.”
Empty Trash: Right-click on the “Trash” icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash” to permanently delete the app. You might need to enter your administrator password.

Step 2: Remove the VPN Configuration Profile from System Settings

This step is critical for ensuring no VPN traces remain in your system’s network settings, especially if it was a manually configured VPN or a “school VPN” / “company VPN” that installed a profile. How to Cancel Your Topgolf Reservation

Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu  in the top-left corner of your screen, then choose “System Settings” on older macOS versions, it’s “System Preferences”.
Go to VPN: In the sidebar, click on “VPN.” You might need to scroll down.
Remove Configuration: You’ll see a list of VPN services. Click the “Info button” often a small “i” in a circle next to the VPN service you want to remove.
Click “Remove Configuration”: Then, click “Remove Configuration” and confirm your choice.
- On older macOS versions, you might select the VPN from the left panel and click the minus “-” button at the bottom to remove it.

Pro Tip for Residual Files on Mac: For a super clean uninstall, especially with VPNs like ExpressVPN, you might look for leftover files in your Library folder. You can go to Finder, click “Go” in the menu bar, select “Go to Folder,” type ~/Library, and press Enter. Then, search for any folders or files related to the VPN provider and delete them. Just be careful not to delete anything unrelated!

How to Remove a VPN Web Extension

Browser extensions are super convenient for quick VPN access, but they also need to be managed. Whether you’re using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, the process is pretty similar.

For Google Chrome

Open Chrome: Launch your Chrome browser.
Access Extensions:
- Click the puzzle piece icon Extensions on the right side of your address bar.
- Alternatively, click the three vertical dots Chrome menu in the top-right corner, go to “More Tools,” and then select “Extensions.”
- Even easier: type chrome://extensions directly into your address bar and press Enter.
Find the VPN Extension: Locate the VPN extension you want to remove.
Remove from Chrome: Click the “Remove” button or the three vertical dots next to it, then “Remove from Chrome”.
Confirm: A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click “Remove” again to finalize.

Disable vs. Remove: If you’re not sure you want to permanently delete it, you can simply toggle the switch off next to the extension to disable it temporarily.

For Mozilla Firefox

Open Firefox: Launch your Firefox browser.
Access Add-ons/Extensions: Click the three horizontal lines menu icon in the top-right corner, then select “Add-ons and themes.”
Go to Extensions: On the left sidebar, ensure you’re on the “Extensions” tab puzzle piece icon.
Find and Remove: Locate the VPN extension. Click the three horizontal dots next to it, then select “Remove.”
Confirm: Confirm the removal when prompted.

For Microsoft Edge

Open Edge: Launch your Edge browser.
Access Extensions: Click the puzzle piece icon to the right of the address bar.
Manage Extensions: In the drop-down menu, click the three dots next to the relevant VPN extension and select “Remove from Microsoft Edge.”
Confirm: Click “Remove” again to confirm.

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Troubleshooting Common VPN Removal Issues

Sometimes, a VPN can be a bit stubborn. Here are a few common issues you might run into and what to do:

VPN Still Showing After Uninstalling App: This is almost always due to a leftover configuration profile or a TAP driver. Go through the steps above for removing the profile iOS/Android/Mac or the TAP driver Windows. This is a frequent issue, especially with older Norton VPN profiles on iPhones.
Internet Connectivity Problems After Removal: If your internet acts up after uninstalling a VPN, it could be a lingering network setting or a corrupted driver. Try a network reset on Windows, or check your DNS settings on any device. Restarting your device often helps too!
Can’t Find the VPN in Settings: Some VPNs are “app-only” and don’t install a separate system-level profile. In these cases, simply uninstalling the app is enough. However, always double-check your device’s network settings just in case.
Enterprise/School VPNs: If you’re trying to remove a VPN installed by your workplace or educational institution e.g., “company VPN from iPad” or “school VPN from iPad”, these often use specific configuration profiles that might be managed differently. You might need to contact your IT department for the proper removal procedure, as they might have specific tools or policies. On iOS, these profiles are often found under “VPN & Device Management” > “Configuration Profiles.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I completely remove a VPN from my device?

To completely remove a VPN, you generally need to do two things: first, uninstall the VPN application software from your device like any other app. Second, you need to go into your device’s network settings and delete any lingering VPN configuration profiles or connections that the app might have installed. On Windows, this also involves checking for and removing any TAP drivers. On browsers, you remove the extension from your browser’s extension management page.

What’s the difference between disabling and deleting a VPN?

Disabling a VPN temporarily stops the connection, allowing your internet traffic to flow normally without VPN encryption. The VPN app and its settings remain installed on your device, ready to be reactivated. Deleting a VPN, on the other hand, means permanently uninstalling the app, removing its configuration profiles, and clearing out any associated files or drivers from your device. You would do this when you no longer want to use the VPN at all.

Can a VPN leave traces after I delete it?

Yes, sometimes a VPN can leave behind traces even after you’ve uninstalled the main application. These traces can include configuration profiles in your system settings, virtual network adapters like TAP drivers on Windows, or even some residual files in hidden folders. That’s why it’s important to follow all the steps for removing profiles and drivers to ensure a clean uninstall. How to Cancel Your NordVPN Account and Get a Refund

Why is my VPN still active after uninstalling the app?

If your VPN seems active or you see a “VPN” badge even after uninstalling the app, it’s very likely that a VPN configuration profile is still present in your device’s system settings. This often happens on iOS, Android, and macOS. You’ll need to manually go into your device’s network or VPN settings and delete that specific profile.

Is it safe to remove a VPN?

Yes, it’s generally safe to remove a VPN. The main thing to remember is that once the VPN is removed, your internet traffic will no longer be encrypted or routed through the VPN’s servers. This means your online activities will be visible to your Internet Service Provider ISP and potentially others on your network. If you rely on a VPN for privacy, security, or accessing geo-restricted content, make sure you understand the implications of removing it or consider installing a new, trusted VPN.

How do I disconnect my VPN connection?

To disconnect your VPN connection temporarily, you usually just need to open the VPN application itself and click or tap the “Disconnect” or “Off” button. Most VPN apps have a clear toggle or button for this. Alternatively, you can often disconnect from your device’s network settings:

Windows: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN, then select the VPN and click “Disconnect.”
Mac: Go to System Settings > VPN, and toggle the switch off next to the VPN service or click “Disconnect” if available.
iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > General > VPN, and toggle the “VPN” switch to “Off.”
Android: Go to Settings > Network & internet > VPN, tap on the active VPN, and select “Disconnect.”

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How to Completely Remove a VPN from Any Device: Your Ultimate Guide