VPN guides

Clear, in-depth guides: how a VPN works, how to choose one, how to set it up on your phone and computer, and what to do when something does not work.

• What is a VPN and how does it work? A plain-English guideWhat a VPN is, how it encrypts your traffic, what your ISP can see with and without one, why people use VPNs in 2026, and what a VPN cannot protect you from.October 26, 2026 · 6 min read
• How to choose a VPN in 2026: 12 criteria for a good serviceWhat to look for in a VPN — protocol, reliability on your network, speed, server locations, logging, payment, refunds and support — plus public Wi-Fi tips and a pre-purchase checklist.October 26, 2026 · 6 min read
• VLESS and Reality explained: how the protocol works and how it compares to WireGuard and OpenVPNWhat VLESS, Reality and XTLS are, how the protocol works, why its traffic looks like regular HTTPS, how it compares with OpenVPN, WireGuard and Shadowsocks, and which apps support it.October 26, 2026 · 6 min read
• How to set up a VPN on iPhone and iPad: step-by-step guideA step-by-step guide to installing and setting up a VPN on iPhone and iPad with the Happ app, what to do if the app is not in your App Store, how to verify the connection and fix common issues.October 26, 2026 · 5 min read
• VPN on Android: install and set up in 2 minutesHow to install a VPN on an Android phone from Google Play or as an APK, add your key to Happ, enable Always-on VPN and fix common issues on Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel, Honor and other phones.October 26, 2026 · 4 min read
• VPN for your computer: setting up on Windows and macOSHow to install a VPN on a Windows 10 or 11 PC and on a Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon), add your key to Happ, switch to TUN mode and fix apps that ignore the VPN.October 26, 2026 · 4 min read
• YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp blocked in Russia: what is happening and does a VPN help?The state of YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord in Russia in 2026, how the restrictions work technically, when a VPN helps, when it does not, and what the law says.October 26, 2026 · 5 min read
• Free VPNs: the hidden risks and when it is worth payingHow free VPNs make money, real cases of leaks and spying, how to vet a VPN app before installing it, and what a decent VPN actually costs.October 26, 2026 · 5 min read
• Is it legal to use a VPN in Russia in 2026?Can you use a VPN in Russia in 2026? What is actually fined (searching for listed extremist materials, advertising VPNs, sharing SIM cards and accounts), what applies to VPN providers, and how VPNs get blocked.October 26, 2026 · 5 min read
• VPN not working or not connecting: 15 causes and how to fix themWhy a VPN will not connect, connects but sites do not load, or runs slowly. Step-by-step troubleshooting for iPhone, Android, Windows and macOS, mobile internet whitelists, and when to contact support.October 26, 2026 · 6 min read