How to set up IKEv2 manual connection on iOS (2024)

In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up the IKEv2 VPN connection on your iOS device.

You will need a device running the iOS operating system and an active Surfshark subscription, which you can purchase on ourpricing page.

We will go through the following:

  1. Get your credentials
  2. Find server hostnames
  3. Download and install the VPN profile
  4. Connect to the VPN
  5. Ensure the connection is successful

Get your credentials

NOTE:These are not your regular credentials, such as your email and password.

  1. Enter the Surfshark login page and log in. Then, click on Products > VPN > Manual Setup > Desktop or mobile > IKEv2 to generate your credentials.
    How to set up IKEv2 manual connection on iOS (1)
  2. Once there, make sure that you are in the Credentials tab and click on Generate new credentials.

    NOTE: Keep this tab open as we'll need it later.

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Find server hostnames

Every server has a hostname that you will need to use to connect to the specific VPN location. You can find all the hostnames in theLocationstab.

  1. Here, you will see a list of all the servers.
  2. Tap on the location of your choice. Once you do, you will be able to see the server address.
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Download and install the IKEv2 profile

  1. Scroll down to the bottom of theLocationstab. Tap on theIKEv2 certificate to start the download.

    NOTE:We highly recommend downloading them through the Safari browser, as other browsers may not work correctly.

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  2. Once you press download, you may get a pop-up. Press Allow.
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  3. When the download is complete, you will get a notification –Profile Downloaded.
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  4. Open theSettings app. You will notice a tab saying Profile Downloaded. Tap on it.
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  5. After opening the profile, click Install.
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  6. Confirm the installation by clicking Install again.
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  7. When the installation is complete, tap Done and proceed to the next step.
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Connect to the VPN

  1. Open the Settings app on your device, go to General, and tap on the VPN & Device Management tab.
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  2. Select Add VPN Configuration...
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  3. Fill in all the required details:

    Type:IKEv2.
    Description:Your preferred name of this connection.
    Server:the hostname of the server. Refer to the Find server hostnames part of this article.
    Remote ID:the same hostname that you entered in theServerfield.
    Local ID:leave empty.

    User Authentication:Username.
    Username: Your Surfshark service credentials username. Refer to the Get your credentials part of this article.
    Password: Your Surfshark service credentials password. Refer to the Get your credentials part of this article.
    Proxy:Off.

    Press Done after entering all the details.
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  4. From now on, you will find the configured VPN profile in the VPN tab that you will always find in Settings > General.Move the slider to connect and disconnect from the VPN.
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Ensure the connection is successful

We always recommend checking if Surfshark VPN is working after setting it up for the first time. You can easily do it by performing Surfshark IP leak test and a DNS leak test. For your convenience, both are available on our website.


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How to set up IKEv2 manual connection on iOS (2024)

FAQs

How to set up IKEv2 manual connection on iOS? ›

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to General and then VPN. Tap on Add VPN Configuration. Choose the specific VPN protocol from the “Type” section (IKEv2, IPSec, or L2TP).

How to configure manual VPN in iOS? ›

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Navigate to General and then VPN. Tap on Add VPN Configuration. Choose the specific VPN protocol from the “Type” section (IKEv2, IPSec, or L2TP).

How to setup IKEv2 VPN connection? ›

How to set up IKEv2 VPN connection on Windows 10
  1. On the VPN tab, click Add VPN Connection.
  2. In the Subscriptions section, look for domains of IKEv2 VPN servers, as well as the Username and Password VPN.
  3. Choose: Windows (Built-in) ...
  4. Connect to IKEv2 VPN server on Windows 10.
  5. Connection to IKEv2 VPN established successfully.

What is the IKEv2 server for iPhone? ›

IKEv2
  • Go to iOS Settings and then tap General.
  • Tap VPN & Device Management.
  • Tap VPN.
  • Tap Add VPN Configuration…
  • Enter the following settings: Type: IKEv2. Description: (any name would do) Server: se-sto.pvdata.host. *you'll find the server list here. Remote ID: se-sto.pvdata.host. ...
  • Toggle to connect.
  • Connection Success!

How do I setup a manual VPN connection? ›

Create a VPN profile
  1. Select Start > Settings > Network & internet > VPN > Add VPN.
  2. Under Add a VPN connection, do the following: For VPN provider, choose Windows (built-in). In the Connection name box, enter a name you'll recognize (for example, My Personal VPN). ...
  3. Select Save.

What ports need to be open for IKEv2? ›

IKEv2 uses non-standard UDP ports so you need to ensure that these ports are not blocked on the user's firewall. The ports in use are UDP 500 and 4500.

How to manually set up a VPN on iPhone? ›

Here's how to manually enable a VPN to work on your iPhone:
  1. Tap on your “Settings” app on the Home Screen of your iPhone.
  2. Choose “General.”
  3. Press “VPN.”
  4. Tap “Add VPN Configuration.”
  5. Press “Type” and pick the type of VPN protocol you're using. ...
  6. Type in a description, remote ID, and a server for the VPN.

How to setup VPN on iOS without app? ›

Setting up a VPN on iPhone without an app

Go to 'General' Scroll down to 'VPN' Press 'Add VPN configuration…' Enter the details of your VPN provider here.

What is the IKEv2 protocol? ›

Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is a tunneling protocol, based on IPsec, that establishes a secure VPN communication between VPN devices and defines negotiation and authentication processes for IPsec security associations (SAs).

Is IKEv2 better than OpenVPN? ›

IKEv2 and OpenVPN are both solid choices when it comes to speed, security, and reliability. IKEv2 has the edge when it comes to speed and is a better choice for mobile devices due to its stability. However, OpenVPN is the stronger option if security is the top priority, and it still offers a fast connection.

How to setup IPsec VPN on IPhone? ›

How to connect using the iPhone's VPN function
  1. Tap [Settings] > [General] > [VPN and Device Management], then tap [VPN].
  2. Tap [Add VPN Configuration...]
  3. Enter the following information and tap [Done]. ・[Type] : IPsec. ...
  4. Make sure the VPN you just added is there and tap [Status] to connect to the VPN.
Mar 29, 2023

Does IKEv2 use main mode? ›

With main mode, the phase 1 and phase 2 negotiations are in two separate phases. Phase 1 main mode uses six messages to complete; phase 2 in quick mode uses three messages. IKEv2 combines these modes into a four message sequence.

What is the remote ID for VPN IKEv2? ›

The Remote ID is the server address and the Local ID is the vpn username. Then the Remote ID will be also eu-fr.321inter.net, and the Local ID will be same as your username.

How do I switch to IKEv2? ›

Go to Settings -> Network & internet -> VPN, then tap the "+" button. Enter a name for the VPN profile. Select IKEv2/IPSec RSA from the Type drop-down menu. Enter Your VPN Server IP (or DNS name) in the Server address field.

What is the username and password for IKEv2 VPN server address? ›

VPN Type – IKEv2 EAP (Username/Password). Username – your IVPN account ID that begins with letters 'ivpnXXXXXXXX' or 'i-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX' (case-sensitive). Password – ivpn .

How to configure IPsec VPN on iPhone? ›

How to connect using the iPhone's VPN function
  1. Tap [Settings] > [General] > [VPN and Device Management], then tap [VPN].
  2. Tap [Add VPN Configuration...]
  3. Enter the following information and tap [Done]. ・[Type] : IPsec. ...
  4. Make sure the VPN you just added is there and tap [Status] to connect to the VPN.
Mar 29, 2023

How do I change VPN protocol iOS? ›

Switching protocol to OpenVPN UDP or TCP (iOS)
  1. Open the application and click on the profile icon in the bottom right corner.
  2. Open the settings menu (gear icon).
  3. Click on the Protocol tab.
  4. Select the OpenVPN (UDP) or OpenVPN (TCP) option.

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