---
title: "Setting up manual OpenVPN connection on iOS"
slug: "setting-up-openvpn-ios"
status: "update"
updated: 2026-09-08T12:45:58Z
published: 2026-09-08T12:45:58Z
canonical: "help.nordlayer.com/setting-up-openvpn-ios"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.nordlayer.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting up manual OpenVPN connection on iOS

1. Go to the App Store on your iPhone/iPad
2. Tap on the Search bar
3. Enter "openvpn connect" in the search bar
4. Find the OpenVPN Connect application and tap on its installation button

![OpenVPN Connect app listing in iOS App Store showing download button and star rating](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/04(1)(1).png)

1. Once the app is installed, download the .ovpn configuration file for your private gateway (either the UDP or TCP version) [from the Member's profile in Control Panel](https://help.nordlayer.com/docs/setting-up-openvpn)

![Manual VPN configuration page showing OpenVPN and IKEv2 download options with credentials](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/04@2x(2)(1).png)

1. On the pop-up, tap the blue Download button

​​7. When the configuration is downloaded, select the Downloads button in the top right corner

***After that, click on the downloaded configuration.***

![Safari downloads page showing NordVPN configuration file ready for OpenVPN import](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/07(1)(1).png)

1. When the downloaded configuration opens, click the Share button in the top right corner

![iOS file preview showing NordVPN OpenVPN profile ready for import with share button](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/08(1)(1).png)

1. In the Share sheet, tap the Copy to OpenVPN button

![iOS share sheet displaying OpenVPN profile import options with copy to OpenVPN highlighted](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/09(1)(1).png)

1. Inside the OpenVPN application, select File and tap Add to add the imported configuration

![OpenVPN Connect import profile screen showing NordVPN server configuration ready to add](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/10(2)(1).png)

1. You will see a pop-up asking for permission to add OpenVPN to your VPN configurations

***Click Allow.***

![iOS permission dialog requesting VPN configuration access for OpenVPN with allow and deny options](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/11(2)(1).png)

1. Tap on the switch of the imported configuration to connect to a NordLayer private gateway

![OpenVPN Connect profiles screen showing active NordVPN connection with bandwidth and duration statistics](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/12(2)(1).png)

1. To disconnect, tap on the same button you used to connect

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