Does a VPN Drain Phone Battery

The frequency of phone use and the total time spent with devices turned on has increased exponentially over the past decade. We constantly use a phone or tablet throughout to:

  • Watch videos.
  • Talk on the phone. 
  • Send work emails. 
  • Do shopping.
  • Play games.

Our whole life depends on these little electronic boxes. In case of constant phone use we need a high level of protection and long service life of these devices.

To comply with protection, we need a VPN service. But did you know that VPN also can shorten the life cycle of your device? Simply put, VPNs often consume more of your phone’s battery.

Our article will focus on the basic rules for saving battery life with VPN and the reasons for battery drain with VPN. We will also recommend the best VPN services that can ensure the minimum battery consumption on your phone and extend the battery life.

Why Does a VPN Drain Your Phone Battery?

A Virtual Private Network is a great way to protect your online privacy. But one downside of using a VPN is that it can drain your phone battery. In this paragraph, we’ll explain why this happens and give tips on keeping your VPN from draining your phone battery.

EncryptionSince most VPNs offer high-quality encryption of user data using 256-bit AES, your phone will have to consume more energy due to the demands of the technology. On the other hand, you can always opt for a less demanding 128-bit encryption. However, this solution will not be reliable for your data, as the technology is old.
VPN protocolsEach VPN service uses different security protocols. So, if you want to use the new OpenVPN, you must sacrifice your phone charge. And if you save on battery, you will have to choose less reliable and less demanding security protocols like IKEv2.
Mobile InternetHave you noticed that using 2G or 3G your phone battery drains faster than with 4G or 5G? It’s because your phone has to amplify the signal to stay connected when you use more recent generations of mobile communications.
Background modeYour battery can drain quickly if you use a VPN in the background. So, you should not leave VPN on all the time when you are not using the internet. Otherwise, the service may continue to consume your charge.
VPN serviceOptimizing your VPN service can affect how your phone battery drains. When choosing a VPN service, pay attention to reviews and do your research.
Old phoneIf you’re using an older phone, it may not be as energy-efficient as newer models for running a VPN.
VPN functionsSome VPN apps may also have features that use up additional battery power, such as a “Kill Switch” that prevents your data from being sent unencrypted if the VPN connection is lost.

A VPN is a great way to protect your online privacy, but it can come at the cost of shorter battery life for your phone. By following the tips below, you can help minimize the impact on your battery life while maintaining all the benefits of using a VPN!

How to Save Battery With a VPN

How to Save Battery With a VPN

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that lets you browse the Internet anonymously and securely. But did you know that there are some ways to have a great battery charge even when you are a fan of a VPN? Here’s how:

  1. A VPN can block unwanted ads and pop-ups, which not only saves you data but also helps reduce strain on your battery.
  2. Your VPN should not be on all the time. Since your VPN can consume your battery while running in the background, disable the service if you are not using the Internet or visiting sites and applications you trust.
  3. Install a VPN on your router. This solution will significantly reduce the load on your phone, and you will be able to save your device’s charge. In addition, you will also be able to ensure the proper level of protection on all devices you will connect to your router. This method will allow your family to maintain online privacy and secure data.
  4. Use fewer built-in VPN features. Since VPN can use many features like Kill Switch or tunneling, your phone will lose more battery. To avoid this, consider not using these functions when you don’t need them for your work.
  5. Some VPNs have built-in battery-saving features like “dark mode” or the ability to schedule when the VPN is active. Use it whenever you need to prolong your charge.

Consider using a VPN if you’re looking for ways to conserve your phone or laptop’s battery life. A Virtual Private Network not only encrypts your data and blocks unwanted ads and pop-ups, but it can also compress data and offer built-in battery-saving features. Why not give one of these battery-saving VPNs a try today? Your device (and wallet) will thank you.

Best VPN for Battery Lifetime

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are a great way to keep your browsing activity private and secure. But one downside to using a VPN is that it can drain your phone battery life. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a VPN that won’t put a dent in your battery. According to our experts, here are the five best VPNs for battery life.

NordVPNNordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs on the market, and it’s known for its fast speeds and robust security features. But did you know NordVPN is also one of the best VPNs for battery life? NordVPN uses an algorithm that automatically selects the least power-hungry server connection, so you can rest assured that your battery life is safe.
TunnelBearTunnelBear is another great option if you’re looking for a VPN with good battery life. That’s because TunnelBear employs several energy-saving features, including hibernation mode, which suspends all background activity when your device is inactive. As a result, TunnelBear uses very little battery power, even when not using it.
ExpressVPNExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, and it’s also one of the most efficient concerning battery life. That’s because ExpressVPN uses a bunch of technologies which ensures that all VPN’s functions won’t be overloading your system. As a result, ExpressVPN doesn’t drain your phone battery even when you’re using it constantly.
Private Internet AccessPrivate Internet Access is one of the best VPNs for battery life. Private Internet Access uses several features to minimize power consumption and extend battery life, including an adaptive power management system that scales back CPU usage when your device is inactive. So if you’re looking for a VPN that won’t put a strain on your battery, Private Internet Access is worth considering.
IPVanishIPVanish is another great choice for anyone looking for a VPN with good battery life. That’s because IPVanish uses a power saver technology, which automatically shuts down unnecessary services and processes when your device is inactive. It helps to reduce CPU usage and prevent battery drainage so that you can browse worry-free.

A good VPN can help protect your online privacy and data from prying eyes. But one downside to using a VPN is that it can sometimes drain your battery life. If you’re looking for a VPN that won’t dent your battery, any of the five options on our list will do the trick.

Free VPNs VS. Your Battery

Free VPNs VS. Your Battery

Many paid VPN services are not able to provide uninterrupted operation of your device and save your battery efficiently. What about free services? They almost all make your device worse. Your device is also facing a huge load while using a VPN besides that your data is not safe with a free VPN

The next disadvantages for your battery are:

  • Bad optimization of free VPN.
  • Tons of ads.

As for poor optimization, there is not much to say here. It is enough that the resources of your device will consume many times more due to poor optimization of an application, game or any program. That is why it is very important to choose a program that a professional team will develop.

As for in-app advertising, free VPNs pop-up a lot of banner ads and ad videos to earn money. It’s because of lack of funding from the user. But the amount of ads causes devices to overload and freeze.

As a result, you may notice that free VPNs are completely unsuitable for use in power saving mode.

Conclusion

While phone battery life has increased significantly recently, running a VPN can still drain your phone’s battery. If you’re concerned about phone battery life, consider only using a VPN when needed rather than keeping it on all the time.

If you’re looking to conserve phone battery life, you can do a few things. For example, you can ensure that your phone’s power-saving mode is turned on. You can also disable any unnecessary apps or features draining your phone’s battery. And, of course, if you’re not using your VPN, be sure to turn it off. By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure that your phone battery lasts more.

FAQs

  1. How much battery does VPN use?

    On average, VPN services will consume 5% to 15% more of your phone battery than the charge consumed without using the service. The better an application is optimized for a private network, the less power it will consume.

  2. Should I leave the VPN app on all the time?

    No, this is not that necessary. It is best to turn on the VPN service only when you will be using sites/applications that you do not trust. You can also run VPN when sites/apps use weak security protocols.

  3. Will a VPN affect the battery life of my iPad?

    A VPN won't significantly shorten the battery life of an iPad because it has a larger and more powerful battery than a phone.

  4. Is VPN safe for my battery?

    While a VPN may consume more power from your device and drain it faster, the service does nothing to damage your battery's health or reduce its ability to charge or hold a charge.

  5. Can anyone hack my phone through VPN?

    A compromised VPN can give a cybercriminal access to your devices and give them control of them using spyware or ransomware if they are targeting you.