Quick Summary

1.VPN settings: Settings → Network & internet → VPN
2.Set SafePassVpn to Unrestricted under App battery usage → Allow background usage
3.Turn off Manage app if unused so Android doesn't archive the VPN
4.Turn on Always-on VPN; Block connections without VPN works on the free plan

Set Up SafePassVpn

Getting connected takes about a minute, and the free plan doesn't need an account:

Install SafePassVpn from the Google Play Store
Open the app and tap the large power button
Android asks for permission to set up a VPN connection the first time. Tap OK
The app shows Protected, and a key icon appears in the status bar while the VPN is on

SafePassVpn app on Android 16 showing Protected, connected to New York — SafePassVpn connected on Android 16 (free plan, New York server).

To confirm it's working, compare your address on our IP checker with the VPN off and on. It should change to the VPN server's IP.

Find the VPN Settings on Google Pixel

SettingsNetwork & internetVPN

VPN sits directly in Network & internet, with Private DNS a few rows below it. Once SafePassVpn has connected once, it's listed there as Safepass Vpn, with a gear icon for its options.

Android 16 Network & internet screen showing VPN set to Safepass Vpn and Private DNS — Network & internet on Android 16. VPN shows the app that's connected.

Stop the VPN Being Closed in the Background

Most "my VPN keeps disconnecting" problems on Google Pixel phones come from battery saving, not from the VPN. Stock Android pauses background apps to save power, and a VPN is a background app. These settings tell the phone to leave it running:

1. Set the app's background usage to Unrestricted

SettingsAppsSafepass VpnApp battery usageAllow background usageUnrestricted

Leave Allow background usage on, then tap the words Allow background usage to open the options. Optimized was selected when we installed the app, which lets Android limit it when it decides you aren't using it. Choose Unrestricted. A WireGuard VPN uses very little battery while idle.

Android 16 Allow background usage screen for Safepass Vpn set to Unrestricted — Allow background usage, set to Unrestricted. Optimized is the default.

2. Allow background data

SettingsAppsSafepass VpnMobile data usage

Turn on Background data and Unrestricted mobile data usage. The second one matters if you use Data Saver (Settings → Network & internet → Data Saver): without it, Data Saver can cut the VPN's connection on mobile data whenever the screen is off.

Android 16 Mobile data & Wi-Fi screen for Safepass Vpn with Background data and Unrestricted mobile data usage on — Mobile data usage opens this screen. Turn both switches on.

3. Turn off Manage app if unused

SettingsAppsSafepass VpnManage app if unused

It's on by default. If you don't open an app for a few months, Android removes its permissions, stops its notifications and can archive it. An always-on VPN is an app you rarely open, so switch this off. Older Android versions call it Pause app activity if unused.

Android 16 App info for Safepass Vpn with Manage app if unused turned off — Manage app if unused, under Unused app settings in App info.

Turn On Always-on VPN

Always-on VPN is built into Android. It starts the VPN as soon as the phone boots and reconnects it when you switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Connect SafePassVpn once, then:

SettingsNetwork & internetVPN⚙ next to Safepass Vpn

Turn on Always-on VPN
Optionally turn on Block connections without VPN, so nothing goes out unprotected while the VPN reconnects. It stays greyed out until Always-on VPN is on

Android 16 VPN screen showing Safepass Vpn connected with a gear icon — The VPN screen once SafePassVpn is connected. Tap the gear.

Android 16 Require VPN connection? dialog shown when turning on Block connections without VPN — Android asks you to confirm before it blocks connections without the VPN.

Android 16 VPN settings for Safepass Vpn with Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN turned on — Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN, both on. Both are off by default.

Block connections without VPN works like a system-wide kill switch, and it's available on the free plan. With it on, apps have no internet at all if the VPN can't connect, so turn it off if you need to sign in to a hotel or airport Wi-Fi page first.

Common Google Pixel VPN Problems

Another VPN takes over

Android runs one VPN at a time, so connecting any other VPN disconnects SafePassVpn. Some Pixel models have also offered Google's own VPN, which shows up in the same VPN list. If another entry there turns itself on, or has Always-on VPN switched on, turn it off and keep Always-on VPN on SafePassVpn only.

Wi-Fi sign-in pages won't open

With Block connections without VPN on, nothing can reach the internet until the VPN connects, including the sign-in page of a hotel, airport or café Wi-Fi. Turn that one switch off, sign in, connect the VPN, then turn it back on.

The VPN drops for a moment when you move around

Adaptive connectivity, on by default in Network & internet, switches between Wi-Fi and mobile data to save battery. Each switch briefly breaks the tunnel. SafePassVpn uses WireGuard, which reconnects quickly, and Always-on VPN brings it back if it doesn't. If the drops bother you, try turning Adaptive connectivity off.

Sites won't load only while connected

A custom Private DNS hostname can clash with the VPN's own DNS on some networks. Set Private DNS back to Automatic (Settings → Network & internet → Private DNS; it shows as On in the list) and reconnect. SafePassVpn already sends DNS through the encrypted tunnel.

More causes and fixes: VPN keeps disconnecting on Android. Still having trouble? Run our WebRTC leak test to check your browser isn't exposing your real IP, or contact us from the help center.

Choose Which Apps Use the VPN

Some apps, like banking apps or games, can work better on your normal connection. With Premium, SafePassVpn's Split tunnel setting lets you pick which apps go through the VPN and which connect directly, so you can leave the VPN on all day. Read more in our split tunneling guide, or compare plans.

How We Tested

Every path and screenshot in this guide comes from a Android 16 emulator (Google Play system image) running Android 16 with Google's stock Settings app, checked in October 2026. Menu names can differ slightly between models, regions and carrier versions; if a setting isn't where we say, use the search box at the top of Settings. New to VPNs? Start with what a VPN is and how it works.

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Need Help?✨

VPN on Google Pixel: FAQs

Short answers for Google Pixel owners.

Open Settings, tap Network & internet, then VPN. If you can't see it, search for VPN in Settings.

Usually because Android limited the app in the background. Set its background usage to Unrestricted, allow background data, turn off Manage app if unused, and turn on Always-on VPN so Android reconnects it after a restart or a network change.

Not noticeably. A WireGuard VPN like SafePassVpn uses very little power when you aren't sending data. Unrestricted only stops Android from pausing the app; it doesn't make the app do more work.

Yes. Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN are Android features, so they work with SafePassVpn's free plan. Premium adds unlimited data, 9+ locations and split tunneling.

Yes, on most phones close to stock Android, such as Motorola and Nokia. Samsung and Vivo add their own battery settings; see our Samsung and Vivo guides for those.

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