VPNs are great for privacy, but they route internet traffic through extra steps that can slow down live video. Temporarily turning off your VPN gives the smoothest, highest-quality video chat experience during a Smart Consult.
The fastest way to turn off a VPN
For almost every VPN app, disabling it takes a single tap. Open the VPN app on the phone or tablet and look for a large button on the main screen labeled Disconnect or Pause, or a power icon. Tap it, and the screen should shift from green or blue to a neutral color, such as gray or red, and read Not Connected.
Turning VPN off in device settings
If the VPN app can't be found, the VPN can be turned off through the device's built-in settings menu.
On iPhone and iPad (iOS), open the Settings app, find VPN near the top of the menu, and toggle the switch off so it turns from green to gray.
On Android, open the Settings app, go to Network & Internet (sometimes called Connections), tap VPN, select the active VPN, and choose Disconnect.
Official guides for popular VPN apps
For step-by-step instructions from a specific VPN service, see NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.
š” Reminder: Once the video call is finished, reopen the VPN app and tap Connect to turn privacy protection back on.