How to use Bitdefender VPN for Android: Connection, Settings, Subscriptions

The VPN interface displays the status of the app: connected or disconnected. The server location for users with the free version is automatically set by Bitdefender to the most appropriate server, while premium users have the possibility to change the server location they want to connect to by selecting it from the Virtual Location list.

The  icon appears at the top of your screen – in the status – bar when Bitdefender VPN is active. We recommend you turn off the VPN feature when you do not need it to save battery power.

There are two ways to turn on or off Bitdefender VPN for Android:

 

In the Bitdefender VPN app

• To connect or disconnect simply tap the power button on the VPN interface. The status of Bitdefender VPN is displayed.

• If you have a premium subscription and would like to connect to a specific VPN server tap Automatic and then select one of the available countries.

 

In the Bitdefender Mobile Security app

• Access the VPN icon on the bottom navigation bar of Bitdefender Mobile Security.

• Tap CONNECT each time you want to stay protected while connected to unsecured wireless networks. Tap DISCONNECT whenever you want to disable the VPN connection.

• If you have a premium subscription and would like to connect to a specific VPN server tap Automatic and then select one of the available countries.

Android 11 limits any app’s ability to ask explicitly for background location. Due to this OS restriction, the “Auto-connect on public Wi-Fi” option will not stay enabled if you are using a smartphone or tablet running Android 11 and up.

Follow these steps to allow Android 11 to automatically connect to Bitdefender VPN when joining an untrusted Wi-Fi network:

1. First, turn on Location for the Android device.

 

2. Then, open the Bitdefender VPN app.

 

3. From the VPN dashboard tap the small cogwheel  in the upper right corner of the screen to access the app configuration settings.

 

4. In Settings toggle ‘Auto-connect on public Wi-Fi’ to the ON position.

 

5. Tap ‘Allow’ in the ‘Allow location permission’ screen.

 

6. The ‘App permissions’ section of Android Permission Manager will open and automatically take you to Bitdefender VPN’s permissions page. 

If this doesn’t happen by default, use these steps to open Permission Manager manually:

• open your phone’s ‘Settings’ app 

• in the search box, type ‘permission manager’, and then, in the list of results, select Permission Manager

• select ‘Bitdefender VPN’ in the list of apps

• tap ‘Permissions’ under the Bitdefender VPN app

 

7. Next, tap ‘Location’ on the Bitdefender VPN permissions page.

 

8. Finally, in the ‘Location permission’ screen, select the option: Allow all the time.

To access more options, tap the gear icon ⚙︎ in the upper-right hand corner:

Account: Details about your Bitdefender account and VPN subscription are displayed at the top. If you are using the free edition of the VPN app, you can upgrade to the premium plan from here.

 

Settings: Depending on your needs, from here you can customize the behavior of Bitdefender VPN for Android.

• change the auto-connect options
• activate a Kill-Switch to pause all Internet traffic should the VPN accidentally disconnect
• activate the Ad blocker and Anti-tracker
• select a different VPN Protocol: Hydra Catapult, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP
• choose which apps and websites to bypass the VPN with Split Tunneling 
• allow access to devices on the local network
• choose between light and dark theme
• manage product notifications, essential services and reports
• browse through the FAQ or reach out to our Support team
• check the installed VPN version
• consult the Subscription Agreement and Privacy Policy
• sign out from the Bitdefender VPN application

With Bitdefender VPN, you benefit from a daily 200 MB daily traffic quota per device included in your subscription (a 500 MB daily traffic quota is included only in Bitdefender Small Office Security subscriptions). The feature helps you secure your connection every time you need, and connects you automatically to the optimal server location. To get unlimited traffic and unrestricted access to content worldwide by choosing a specific server location, upgrade to the premium version.

You can upgrade to the Bitdefender Premium VPN version anytime by tapping the Upgrade button located in the app interface. If you need further guidance you can access this friendly guide – How to upgrade your Bitdefender VPN subscription from Free to Premium VPN on Android.