You may be unable to download the Private Internet Access (PIA) app due to network restrictions, browser problems, security software, or device compatibility. If you encounter this problem, the troubleshooting steps below can help you identify and resolve the issue.
Jump To…
- Preliminary Check
- The Download Will Not Start or Keeps Failing
- The PIA App is Unavailable
- Device-Specific Errors
- Advanced Troubleshooting
Preliminary Check
Before you start troubleshooting the download, check that your device meets the PIA app’s minimum system requirements. You can find information on supported operating systems in this guide.
If your device meets the requirements, continue to the section below that matches your issue.
If your device isn’t compatible with the PIA app, you can set up a manual connection.
The Download Will Not Start or Keeps Failing
If the download does not start or stops before finishing, follow the steps below in order. After each step, try downloading again.
If you see an error message, use the table below to go directly to the relevant step.
| Error message | Go to… |
| A network or connection issue | Step 2: Try a Different Network |
| Insufficient storage space | Step 3: Free Up Storage Space |
| Interference from antivirus, a firewall, or another third-party program | Step 4: Temporarily Disable Third-Party Software |
| An app installer signature issue | Contact the PIA Support Team and include the exact error message. |
Step 1: Try a Different Browser or Private Window
Try downloading the PIA app using a different web browser. If you cannot use another browser or the download still fails, open an incognito or private window, go to PIA’s official download page, select the installer for your operating system, and try again.
For more information on getting the latest version for your device, see Where Can I Find the Most Recent Update of the PIA App?.
Step 2: Try a Different Network
An unstable connection may prevent the download from completing. If another network is available, connect to it and try downloading the app again.
If you are using work, school, or hotel Wi-Fi, it’s also possible that the network is restricting the download. In that case, try switching to mobile data or a home Wi-Fi network.
Step 3: Free Up Storage Space
Check how much free storage is available on your device. If you see an insufficient-storage error or your storage is nearly full, remove unnecessary files or apps, then try downloading again.
Step 4: Whitelist PIA or Temporarily Disable Third-Party Software
Your antivirus, firewall, or other security software may block the download. It may also remove the installer after the download finishes or prevent it from opening.
To resolve this, add the official PIA download link or installer to your security software’s allowlist.
If that option is unavailable, temporarily disable the software and retry the download. Make sure you turn the protection back on immediately after the test.
If you use a download manager or accelerator, they may handle downloads instead of your browser. If you use one, temporarily turn off its browser extension or the browser integration option in its settings. Then try downloading the PIA installer through your browser again.
If the download still won’t start or fails, continue to Advanced Troubleshooting.
The PIA App Is Unavailable
If you cannot find PIA in your device’s app store or you see a message that it’s not available in your region or country, follow the instructions for your device below.
iPhone or iPad
If PIA does not appear in App Store search results, open the PIA App Store listing directly and try downloading it from that listing.
If PIA is unavailable in the country or region registered to your Apple Account, you may be able to change the region or create another Apple Account for a region where PIA is available. You can find detailed steps for changing your App Store country or region here.
If you still cannot get the app, see Advanced Troubleshooting for alternative installation and manual VPN setup options.
Android
If you cannot find the PIA app in the Play Store’s search results, open the PIA Google Play listing directly. If PIA is unavailable in your Google Play Store region, follow the steps here to download the PIA APK app.
If you still cannot get the app, see Advanced Troubleshooting for alternative installation and manual VPN setup options.
Device-Specific Errors
If you see one of the errors below, follow the instructions for your device.
macOS: Download Preferences Error
If the error is related to your download preferences on your Mac, you can check and change your system settings:
- Open System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security and scroll down to Security.
- Next to Allow applications downloaded from, select App Store & Known Developers.
- Try downloading and installing the PIA app again.
Android and Amazon: Billing Address or Payment Method Error
If you see an error like “Please check that your billing address and payment method are from a supported country/region,” on your Android or Amazon device, go to Advanced Troubleshooting and follow the relevant sideloading instructions.
Advanced Troubleshooting
If the steps above did not resolve the issue, try downloading the installation file on another device and transferring it. Alternatively, check whether you can set up a manual PIA VPN connection.
Option 1: Download and Transfer the Installer from Another Device
If you have another computer or mobile device available, try downloading the PIA installer on it, then transfer the file to the device where you want to install PIA.
Download and transfer PIA on Windows, macOS, or Linux
- On another device, download the PIA installer for the computer where you want to install it. For example, download the Windows installer if you want to install PIA on Windows, even if you are downloading it on a Mac.
- Transfer the installer using either method:
- Flash drive: Save the installer to the drive, connect it to the intended device, and copy the installer onto it.
- File storage service: Upload the installer to a service such as Google Drive. Open the same service on the intended device and download the file.
- Open the installer and follow the on-screen installation instructions.
Sideload the PIA APK on Android TV, Google TV, or Fire TV
- Download the official PIA APK on a different device, such as a PC.
- Copy the APK to a USB flash drive and connect the drive to your TV.
- Open a file manager on the TV. If you do not have one, install a file manager that supports USB storage from the TV’s app store.
- Locate the APK on the flash drive and select it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install PIA.
Find more detailed instructions on how to sideload the PIA app on Fire Stick and Fire TV here.
Option 2: Set Up a Manual VPN Connection
If you still cannot download the app, you may be able to set up a PIA VPN connection manually.
Windows
macOS
- macOS - Installing OpenVPN (Viscosity)
- MacOS - Installing OpenVPN (Tunnelblick)
- macOS - Installing OpenVPN Connect
Linux
Android
iOS
Chromebook
Routers