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Unable to Connect to CyberGhost VPN on My iPhone or iPad

This guide shows you how to troubleshoot common connection issues if you're unable to connect to CyberGhost VPN on your iPhone or iPad.

Note: After completing each step, check whether you can connect before moving on to the next one.

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Step 1: Restart Your Device

Step 2: Try a Different VPN Location

Step 3: Switch to WireGuard®

Step 4: Switch to a Different Network

Step 5: Check iPhone Network Settings

Step 6: Disable Other Apps

Step 7: Refresh Your Network Connection

Step 8: Reset Network Settings

Step 9: Check Your Router Settings

Step 1: Restart Your Device

A restart can resolve temporary network and system issues. Once restarted, open CyberGhost VPN and press the power button to reconnect again.

Step 2: Try a Different VPN Location

Some VPN locations may provide a more stable connection than others.

  1. Open the CyberGhost VPN app and tap the power button to disconnect.

    CyberGhost app home screen showing connection to a server and power button highlighted.

  2. Tap the server location to open the full list of servers.

    CyberGhost VPN home screen showing previous server location highlighted.

  3. Tap any server to reconnect.

    CyberGhost VPN list of servers.

Tip: You can also let CyberGhost VPN choose the most optimal server location for you. To do that, follow the steps for returning to Best Location here. 

For more support with changing servers, read our guide to selecting country or city servers on iOS. You can also learn how to use streaming servers in the CyberGhost VPN iOS app.

Step 3: Switch to WireGuard®

Some networks block or interfere with certain protocols. If your current protocol isn't connecting, switching to WireGuard® may help, as it’s designed to work reliably across a wider range of network conditions.

  1. Open the CyberGhost VPN app and tap settings (cog icon).

    CyberGhost VPN home screen showing settings icon highlighted.

  2. Tap VPN > Protocol.

    CyberGhost VPN settings showing Protocol highlighted.

  3. Select WireGuard®. The app will update your protocol automatically.

    CyberGhost VPN protocol settings showing WireGuard highlighted.

  4. Tap Done to return to the home screen.

    CyberGhost VPN settings showing Done button highlighted.

Step 4: Switch to a Different Network

Your current network may be blocking or interfering with the VPN connection. Try switching to a different network to see if that resolves the issue. This could mean connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or switching to mobile data instead.

Step 5: Check iPhone Network Settings

Low Power Mode and Low Data Mode are iOS features designed to conserve battery and data usage. While useful, both can restrict network activity in ways that prevent CyberGhost VPN from establishing or maintaining a stable connection. Try disabling them and connecting again.

Disable Low Power Mode

When Low Power Mode is active, iOS restricts background network activity to save battery. This can interfere with VPN connections by limiting the app's ability to maintain a stable connection.

To disable it: 

  1. Open Settings > Battery.

    Unable-to-connect-on-my-iPhone-or-iPad-8.png

  2. Tap Power Mode.

    iOS Battery settings showing Power Mode highlighted.

  3. Turn off the toggle for Low Power Mode.

    iOS Power Mode settings showing Low Power Mode highlighted.

Disable Low Data Mode

Low Data Mode reduces network usage by limiting background activity, which can prevent CyberGhost VPN from establishing or maintaining a connection.

To disable it: 

Wi-Fi

  1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.

    iOS settings showing Wi-Fi highlighted.

  2. Tap the information icon (ⓘ) next to your connected network.

    iOS Wi-Fi settings showing information icon highlighted.

  3. Turn off the toggle for Low Data Mode.

    iOS Wi-Fi settings showing Low Data Mode highlighted.

Cellular

  1. Open Settings > Mobile Service.

    iOS settings showing Mobile Service highlighted.

  2. Under SIMs, tap Primary.

    iOS Mobile Service settings showing Primary SIMs highlighted.

  3. Tap Data Mode.

    iOS Mobile Service settings showing Data Mode highlighted.

  4. Ensure Low Data Mode isn’t selected.

    iOS Mobile Carrier data mode settings showing Low Data Mode highlighted.

Disable Other Apps

Some apps can control or filter network traffic on your device and may interfere with CyberGhost VPN.

Temporarily disable any security, parental control, content filtering, antivirus, anti-spyware, or VPN apps installed on your device. If you're using another VPN app, make sure it’s completely disconnected before connecting to CyberGhost VPN.

Refresh Your Network Connection

Refreshing your network connection can clear any temporary glitches that may be blocking the VPN.

Cellular Network

  1. Open Settings and tap the toggle next to Airplane Mode.

    iOS settings showing Airplane Mode turned on.

  2. Wait 30 seconds, then turn Airplane Mode off.

    iOS settings showing Airplane Mode turned off.

Wi-Fi Network

  1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.

    iOS settings showing Wi-Fi highlighted.

  2. Tap the toggle next to Wi-Fi to turn it off.

    iOS Wi-Fi settings showing Wi-Fi turned off.

  3. Wait 30 seconds, then turn the toggle for Wi-Fi on.

    iOS Wi-Fi settings showing Wi-Fi turned on.

Reset Network Settings

If none of the previous steps have worked, your network settings may have become corrupted or misconfigured in a way that is blocking the VPN. Resetting them restores all network settings to their defaults, which can resolve persistent connection issues.

Important: This will remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, VPN configurations, and other network settings. You will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks manually afterwards.

  1. Open Settings > General.

    iOS settings showing General highlighted.

  2. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

    iOS general settings showing Transfer or Reset iPhone highlighted.

  3. Tap Reset.

    Unable-to-connect-on-my-iPhone-or-iPad-25.png

  4. Select Reset Network Settings and enter your device passcode.

    iOS reset device settings showing Reset Network Settings highlighted.
  5. Restart your device.

Check Your Router Settings

Some routers include security features or parental controls that can interfere with VPN connections. 

Log in to your router's administration page and check the router's security and parental control settings. If there are any security or parental control features turned on, temporarily disable them. 

If the issue persists, restart your router or modem. Unplug the device from power, wait 30 seconds, and then reconnect it. If you use separate router and modem devices, restart the modem first and then the router.

For more support with troubleshooting on iOS, read our guides:

Need assistance? Contact our Customer Support team:

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