ExpressVPN for iPhone & iPad: iOS Review (2026)
We tested ExpressVPN on iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 17) and iPad Air (iPadOS 17). Here's what works well, what doesn't, and how it compares to Android.
iOS App Overview
ExpressVPN's iOS app is available on the App Store. Setup is straightforward: download, log in, and allow the VPN configuration profile when prompted. iOS handles VPN profiles at the system level, which means ExpressVPN integrates cleanly with iOS networking.
The iOS app closely mirrors the Android design, with the same central connect button and location picker. The UI is clean and responsive — no visual clutter.
Protocol Selection on iOS
iOS supports Lightway, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN (via the ExpressVPN app's own implementation — iOS doesn't natively support OpenVPN). L2TP/IPSec is also supported but not recommended.
In our testing, IKEv2/IPSec was particularly smooth on iOS due to how iOS handles VPN session management. Network transitions from cellular to Wi-Fi were handled without disconnecting in all but one test case. Lightway performed similarly but with slightly faster initial connection times.
iOS-Specific Features
Siri Shortcuts
ExpressVPN integrates with Siri Shortcuts, letting you create voice commands like "Hey Siri, connect to ExpressVPN USA." A nice convenience for power users.
Threat Manager
Available on iOS (but not yet on Android). Blocks DNS requests to known trackers and malicious domains. In our browsing tests, it noticeably reduced tracker activity on ad-heavy sites.
Home Screen Widget
A small widget showing connection status and a quick-connect button. Works on iOS 14+ home screen and Lock Screen (iOS 16+). Updates connection state reliably.
Network Lock on iOS
iOS limitations mean the kill switch behavior differs from desktop. ExpressVPN uses iOS's built-in "Connect On Demand" rules to minimize disconnection windows, but true kill switch behavior isn't fully achievable within Apple's framework.
iPad Experience
On iPad Air, the ExpressVPN app scales its phone layout rather than offering a dedicated iPad interface — the same limitation as on Android tablets. The connect button and server list are usable but feel large and sparse on a 10.9-inch display. ExpressVPN has confirmed a redesigned iPad-optimized layout is in development.
iOS vs. Android: Key Differences
| Feature | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Threat Manager | ✓ Available | ✗ Not available |
| Siri Shortcuts | ✓ Supported | ✗ Not available |
| Widget | ✓ Home + Lock Screen | ✗ Not available |
| Split Tunneling | ✗ Not available | ✓ Works with Lightway |
| True Kill Switch | ⚠ Limited by iOS | ✓ Always-On VPN |
iOS Verdict
The iOS app is well-polished with genuinely useful extras like Siri Shortcuts, Threat Manager, and the home screen widget. The lack of split tunneling is a notable gap compared to Android, and the kill switch has inherent iOS limitations. For most iPhone users, it's one of the best VPN apps on the platform.
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