A few days after saying goodbye to Google One VPN (the service will be shut down for good on June 20, 2024), the big tech giant has officially rolled out its new, renamed VPN to more Pixel users.
At the beginning of June we already reported about the beta launch of Pixel VPN by Google. Now the latest version has been officially released as a Play Store update. Originally an exclusive feature for Pixel 8 models, the built-in VPN has also been expanded to owners of the Pixel 7 series, 7a, and Fold.
All this means that ex-Google One users won’t have to decide which of the best VPN services to switch to if they own one of these Pixel models. Google VPN is currently available in 22 countries, including Australia, Canada, some EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and more), Japan, the UK and the US. You can use the full list on Google’s support site.
VPN By Google One (shutting down on June 20) will be replaced by VPN By Google – Rolled out as Play Store updateVia: https://t.co/SDIq2Q8y15#Google #VPN #Pixel pic.twitter.com/ XmQfrtQCjRJune 17, 2024
“This version of Google One VPN is optimized for the best performance on Pixel and offers a fully integrated experience in your phone’s settings,” Google said 9to5Google.
For example, Pixel VPN no longer shows a persistent ‘1’ notification, but only a key icon in the status bar. A blue shield with ‘G’ in the middle is also part of the rebranding of the new Google One VPN.
Notably, as confirmed by 9to5Google on June 13, contrary to previously reported, you do not have to update to the Android 14 QPR3 version to download the VPN software. So if you are still running Android 14 QPR2, don’t worry. The provider recommends installing the Pixel VPN app directly from the Google Play listing.
Why use an Android VPN?
Whether you’re a Pixel loyalist looking forward to the new built-in VPN functionality, or use another Android smartphone, you might be wondering why you should use a VPN on your mobile. The truth is that digital threats are not limited to your laptop and PC.
Nowadays we more often surf the Internet directly from our smartphones than from other devices. This attitude makes it crucial to have an active security tool in place to improve our online privacy and overall device security at all times.
A virtual private network (VPN) is a security tool that encrypts Internet connections and spoofs IP addresses. These functionalities allow you to bypass online geo-restrictions (be it a censored site or a foreign streaming library) while increasing your privacy.
This is especially important if you connect to notoriously unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots, for example, as cybercriminals can easily abuse these networks to carry out attacks. A travel VPN is also vital when visiting countries notorious for restricting access to certain apps or websites; popular social media platforms are often targeted.
Some of the best Android VPN services on the market even have additional features to prevent ads and other web trackers from tracking your activities on the Internet.
If you’re looking for a valid alternative to Google One VPN or Pixel VPN, I recommend checking out NordVPN. It currently tops our VPN rankings, thanks to its easy-to-use apps, some of the fastest speeds I’ve seen, a great unblocking track record, and tons of security features. Proton VPN is also a very good option, especially because it includes a free VPN plan for people who want to save some money.