Can you double VPN on iOS? A detailed guide

Are you concerned about your privacy when using your iPhone or iPad? Are you wondering if a standard VPN provides enough protection? If you’ve been exploring advanced security options, you may have heard about double VPN technology.

Many iOS users are asking: Can I use a Double VPN on my iPhone or iPad? How secure is it compared to a regular VPN? Will it slow down my device too much? Which VPN services offer this feature for iOS?

This comprehensive guide answers these questions and walks you through setting up Double VPN protection on your iOS devices.

What is Double VPN?

Double VPN (also called multi-hop VPN or cascaded VPN) is an advanced security feature that routes your internet traffic through two different VPN servers instead of just one. When you connect to a Double VPN, your data is encrypted twice, and your IP address changes twice, creating two layers of protection.

The process works through a sophisticated encryption chain. First, your data is encrypted on your iOS device before being sent to the initial VPN server. At the first server, the already-encrypted data is encrypted again, adding an additional layer of protection before continuing its journey. This doubly encrypted data then travels to a second VPN server in a different location. At the second server, one layer of encryption is removed, and the data is decrypted before being forwarded to its destination online.

This double-server routing creates significantly stronger privacy protection than a standard VPN connection. With two separate encryption processes and IP address changes, it becomes extremely difficult for anyone—your ISP, government agencies, or malicious actors—to track your online activities or determine your actual location.

Why use Double VPN on iOS?

Apple’s iOS is generally considered secure, but there are still several compelling reasons to use Double VPN on your iPhone or iPad:

• Enhanced privacy: Double encryption makes it extremely difficult for anyone to monitor your online activities and protects you from man-in-the-middle attacks.
• Protection from advanced tracking: Helps defend against sophisticated surveillance techniques.
• Bypassing strict censorship: Some countries with advanced censorship systems can detect regular VPN use, but double VPN connections can be more effective at bypassing these restrictions
• Protection on public WiFi: Extra security layer when connecting to potentially compromised networks such as public WiFi.
• Sensitive activities: Journalists, activists, or anyone handling sensitive information benefit from the additional security

Is Double VPN available on iOS?

Yes, Double VPN functionality is available on iOS, but not all VPN providers offer this feature. The most popular VPN services that provide Double VPN capabilities for iPhone and iPad users include:

1. NordVPN: Offers a feature specifically called “Double VPN”
2. ProtonVPN: Provides “Secure Core” servers that function as Double VPN
3. Surfshark: Features “MultiHop” connections

Each provider implements the feature slightly differently, but the core functionality remains the same: routing your traffic through two separate VPN servers for enhanced privacy.

How to set up Double VPN on iOS

Setting up Double VPN on your iPhone or iPad is straightforward with the right VPN provider. Here’s how to do it with the most popular services:

NordVPN Double VPN setup on iOS:

1. Download and install the NordVPN app from the App Store
2. Launch the app and sign in to your account
3. Tap the “Specialty servers” option
4. Select “Double VPN” from the list
5. Choose a server pair (e.g., US→Canada, France→Sweden)
6. Tap “Connect” to establish your Double VPN connection

ProtonVPN Secure Core setup on iOS:

1. Download and install ProtonVPN from the App Store
2. Open the app and log in to your account
3. Tap “Countries” at the bottom of the screen
4. Toggle on “Secure Core” at the top
5. Select a Secure Core server combination
6. Connect to establish your double-encrypted connection

Surfshark MultiHop setup on iOS:

1. Download and install Surfshark from the App Store
2. Open the app and sign in
3. Tap on “Locations” at the bottom
4. Scroll down and select “MultiHop”
5. Choose your entry and exit locations from the available pairs
6. Tap “Connect” to establish your MultiHop connection

Remember that Double VPN features typically require a premium subscription with these providers. Free VPN services rarely offer this advanced functionality.

Limitations and considerations

While DoubleVPN provides enhanced security, it comes with some trade-offs that iOS users should consider:

Speed reduction

The most significant drawback is reduced connection speed. According to Ookla’s research, a standard VPN typically reduces connection speed by 30-40%, while a Double VPN can reduce it by 50-60%. Your data must travel twice through two servers and undergo encryption/decryption processes. On iOS devices, this speed reduction might be particularly noticeable when:

Battery drain

Double VPN requires more processing power, which can increase battery consumption on your iPhone or iPad. If battery life is a concern, you might want to use Double VPN selectively rather than constantly enabling it.

Server availability

Not all server locations support Double VPN connections. Compared to standard VPN connections, you’ll typically have a more limited selection of server pairs, which might impact your ability to access geo-restricted content from specific regions.

Troubleshooting Double VPN on iOS

If you encounter issues with your Double VPN connection on iOS, try these troubleshooting steps:

Connection failures

1. Check your internet connection by temporarily disconnecting from the VPN
2. Update your VPN app to the latest version from the App Store
3. Restart your iOS device
4. Try connecting to different Double VPN server pairs
5. Switch between WiFi and mobile data to identify if the issue is network-specific

Slow performance

1. Run a speed test to benchmark your connection with and without Double VPN
2. Connect to Double VPN server pairs that are geographically closer to your actual location
3. Close background apps that might be consuming bandwidth
4. Try connecting during off-peak hours when VPN servers might be less congested

App compatibility issues

Some iOS apps might detect and block VPN connections, especially banking apps and certain streaming services. This problem can be more pronounced with Double VPN. If an app refuses to work:

1. Temporarily disconnect from the Double VPN
2. Try using a standard VPN connection instead
3. Contact your VPN provider’s customer support for app-specific workarounds

Alternatives to Double VPN on iOS

If Double VPN causes too many performance issues on your iOS device but you still want enhanced privacy, consider these alternatives:

Tor over VPN

Some VPN services integrate with the Tor network, providing similar security benefits to Double VPN but through a different method. NordVPN, for example, offers “Onion Over VPN” servers that automatically route traffic through the Tor network after it leaves the VPN server.

VPN with enhanced encryption

Instead of using two servers, consider a VPN that offers enhanced encryption protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption. While not as secure as DoubleVPN, these still provide robust protection with less impact on performance.

Dedicated IP

Some VPN providers offer dedicated IP addresses that only you use. While this doesn’t provide the double encryption of Double VPN, it can reduce the chances of your connection being flagged as suspicious, a common issue with shared IPs.

Advanced Double VPN configurations for iOS power users

For those comfortable with more technical setups, you can create custom Double VPN configurations that aren’t available through standard apps:

Manual OpenVPN configuration

1. Use OpenVPN Connect app from the App Store
2. Import configuration files for two different servers from your VPN provider
3. Configure the first VPN to connect to your second VPN

This method requires technical knowledge and isn’t supported by all providers, but it offers maximum flexibility in server selection.

Smart DNS + VPN combination

While not technically a Double VPN, using a Smart DNS service alongside a VPN can help maintain speeds while providing enhanced privacy and geo-unblocking capabilities.

Is Double VPN worth it on iOS?

Whether Double VPN is worth using on your iOS device depends on your specific needs:

Double VPN is worth it if:

• You’re in a country with heavy internet surveillance
• You’re handling particularly sensitive information
• You’re connected to potentially compromised networks
• Your privacy needs outweigh performance considerations

Standard VPN might be sufficient if:

• You mainly want to access geo-restricted content
• You need maximum connection speed
• Battery life on your iOS device is a priority
• You’re primarily concerned with the basic encryption of your internet traffic