This article covers the settings and features available in the PIA (Private Internet Access) app on your iPhone or iPad.
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How to Access All PIA Settings
Selecting the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-left corner opens the main menu.
From here, the account, connection settings, and support resources are all reachable.
- Region Selection: Browse and select a VPN server location to connect to.
- Account: View account details and manage the subscription.
- Dedicated IP: Activate and manage a Dedicated IP address. A Dedicated IP is a static IP address assigned exclusively to one user. It reduces CAPTCHAs and improves access to IP-restricted services. This is a paid add-on. See how to purchase and use dedicated IPs for more details.
- Settings: Access the full app settings, covered in detail below.
- Log Out: Sign out of the PIA account.
- About: View app version and build information.
- Privacy Policy: View PIA's privacy policy.
- Home Page: Opens the PIA website.
- Support: Access PIA's support resources.
Settings
Selecting Settings from the main menu opens the sections below. The connection, protocol, and app behavior can all be adjusted here.
General
This section controls how the app connects and what it shows.
- 'Connect' Siri Shortcut: Record a personalized phrase so Siri can tell the app to connect.
- 'Disconnect' Siri Shortcut: Record a personalized phrase so Siri can tell the app to disconnect.
- Show Service Communication Messages: Enables in-app messages.
- Show Geo-located Regions: Displays geo-located exit nodes in the server list.
- Reset Settings to Default: Resets all the above settings to their default configuration.
Protocols
A protocol is the underlying method the app uses to build and maintain the encrypted connection to a PIA server. The PIA app supports three: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPsec (IKEv2). Selecting Protocol Selection opens a list to choose from. The settings below change depending on which one is active.
IPsec (IKEv2)
IKEv2 pairs with IPsec for encryption and is known for handling network switches well. If a device moves from Wi-Fi to mobile data mid-connection, IKEv2 is more likely to keep the VPN connected instead of dropping and reconnecting.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is open source and has been in use far longer than the other two protocols. It also exposes more configurable settings, including the transport type and remote port, which can help work around networks that block VPN traffic on standard ports.
- Transport: Choose between UDP and TCP.
- Remote Port: Select the remote port for the VPN connection.
WireGuard
WireGuard is a newer protocol built to combine speed with strong security, using a smaller codebase than IPsec or OpenVPN.
Settings available across all three protocols:
- Data Encryption: The cipher used to encrypt traffic.
- Handshake: The method used to establish a secure connection with PIA servers.
- Use Small Packets: Lowers the IP packet size to improve compatibility with some routers and mobile networks.
Network
This section controls DNS behavior for the app. It is separate from the DNS settings on the device itself. Use the Network section to change the DNS settings for the app.
Privacy Features
These settings control extra protections that apply alongside the VPN connection.
- VPN Kill Switch: Prevents internet access if the VPN connection is reconnecting. This does not apply when disconnecting manually.
- Reconnect Notifications: Sends an alert when the VPN reconnects to a different location.
- Safari Content Blocker State: Shows whether the content blocker is on or off. Changing this redirects to iOS Settings.
- Refresh Block List: Updates content-blocking rules to the most recent version.
Automation
Automation controls how the app behaves when connecting to Wi-Fi or cellular networks. The VPN can turn on automatically depending on the type of network detected.
- Enable Automation: Turns automation on or off.
- Manage Automation: Opens a list of rules for different network types (Secure WiFi, Open WiFi, Mobile Data). Each rule can be set to always connect the VPN. Additional rules can be added for specific networks.
Help
This covers troubleshooting tools and app information.
- Send Debug Log to Support: Sends a debug log to the support team for troubleshooting. Available only when using OpenVPN or WireGuard.
- Enable Debug Logging: Saves debug logs that can be submitted to technical support to help troubleshoot problems.
- Help Improve PIA: Toggles anonymous sharing of VPN connection statistics.
- Latest News: Provides a synopsis of new client features.