On Android a VPN has more installation methods than on any other platform, and more system settings that can keep it from working. We will go through both.
What to know in advance
- Android 8 or newer is required.
- On the first connection the system will ask for permission to create a VPN connection — you need to confirm it.
- One VolnaLink subscription works on three devices at once.
Where to install from
VolnaLink has four official sources. They all contain one and the same app; the difference is in the way it updates.
- Google Play — the familiar option, updates arrive automatically.
- Galaxy Store — for Samsung devices.
- AppGallery — for Huawei devices without Google services.
- APK from the site — when the stores are unavailable. In this case updates do not arrive on their own: keep an eye on the version and reinstall manually.
Files from other sources should not be used — we do not publish or support them, and a modified build of a VPN client is dangerous for exactly the reason any unknown code with access to your traffic is dangerous.
How to install
- Install the app from any source above.
- Sign in to your account or register — the first 8 hours are free, no card needed.
- Tap connect and confirm the system request to create a VPN connection.
- Choose a location.
Android settings that interfere with a VPN
This is the main difference between Android and iOS: manufacturers add their own battery-saving mechanisms, and they aggressively unload background apps.
- Battery optimization. Find the app in the list and remove the restriction. Otherwise the system will unload the client, and the connection will drop for no visible reason.
- Data saver. It restricts background data transfer. For a VPN client this is critical.
- Auto-start. On Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo and similar shells there is a separate auto-start permission — without it the app will not come up after a reboot.
- Always-on VPN. In the system settings there is an "Always-on VPN" option — it holds the connection. It is useful, but with it the device can be left without internet if the VPN did not come up, so enable it deliberately.
If the connection drops or will not establish
- Change the location — the first and most effective action.
- Check the VPN list in the system settings: profiles of other services conflict with the active one.
- Remove the battery and data-saver restrictions for the app.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile internet — this shows whether the cause is in the network.
- Reboot the device.
Android TV — a separate case
On TVs with Android TV and Google TV the app is installed the same way, but remote control imposes its own limitations, and signing in to the account is more convenient to do in advance. For TVs we have a separate section.
What else is supported
One subscription works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV and Apple TV, as well as in extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Up to three devices connect at once; additional slots can be purchased in your account.