These are the Best VPN apps for Android: ExpressVPN, Mullvad, WindScribe, and more!

VPNs can be beneficial whether you are trying to hide your internet browsing from prying eyes or just want to access a different country’s Netflix library. They encrypt your outgoing and incoming internet traffic and pass it through their servers, so your data is private, and your location gets obfuscated behind the VPN service’s IPs. Most top VPN services offer apps that allow them to work on Android devices. So if you’re looking for a good VPN app to use on your Android phone, here are our top picks.

Navigate this guide:

• Best for most people: ExpressVPN
  • Also Great: Private Internet Access
• Best for privacy: Mullvad
  • Also Great: IVPN
• Best free VPN: WindScribe
  • Also Great: ProtonVPN
• Best budget VPN: SurfShark

Best VPN App for Most People: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for most people. It has all the modern features you’ll need, including a built-in kill switch, split tunneling, a no-logging policy, and 256-bit encryption. In addition, the service has over 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 94 markets. Given such expansive server availability, you’ll likely find a server in pretty much all major countries and regions.

On Android, you can use the ExpressVPN app on phones, tablets, and TVs. Apart from the Google Play store, the service also offers its Android app APK via its website. So if you don’t have access to the Google Play store, you can still download the app and use it. Using the ExpressVPN app is pretty easy; enable the VPN in the app, select the server location, and you are good to go.

ExpressVPN plans start at $12.95 per month, but the service offers discounts on long-term plans. If you subscribe to the service via its Android app, you’ll get a seven day trial. Otherwise, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN - #1 Trusted VPN - Secure Private Fast (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Also Great: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another good VPN. One of the service’s highlights is its massive network that includes almost 30,000 servers in 106 locations across 78 countries. That said, 65% of its servers are in North America. In addition, you can use PIA services on up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is more than the typical five devices.

Other features of PIA include support for split tunneling, no logs, unlimited bandwidth, and a kill switch. The service’s entire source code is also open-source. PIA plans start at $11.95 per month; however, you can get significant discounts on long-term plans. In addition, the service offers a seven day trial on its Android app and a 30 day money-back guarantee. If you don’t have access to the Google Play store, PIA, like ExpressVPN, offers an APK download via its website.

VPN by Private Internet Access (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Best VPN App for Privacy: Mullvad

While both ExpressVPN and PIA are known for privacy features, if you’re looking for the absolute best, Mullvad is the answer. The service doesn’t keep activity logs and goes through third-party audits for transparency and to identify security lapses. In addition, Mullvad has several payment options, including cash, so you don’t even have to share an email address with it.

In terms of features, Mullvad is pretty much on par with other major VPN services. You get a kill switch, split tunneling, open-source code, and more. The service has 780 servers in 63 locations across 38 countries. While the server count isn’t huge, it will be enough for most people.

Mullvad has a flat rate of 5 euros. But you may be able to get a deal by buying it from a supported reseller. It doesn’t have a trial period like some other recommendations, but a 30 day money-back guarantee applies to all payment modes, except cash. You can download the Mullvad Android app from Google Play and F-Droid or grab the APK from the company website.

Mullvad VPN: privacy is a universal right (Free, Google Play) →

Also Great: IVPN

IVPN is another excellent VPN service for privacy-conscious users. It doesn’t store activity logs and collects minimal information needed to provide the service. In addition, the service is subject to annual third-party audits. Finally, you get a kill switch, split tunneling, mock location, open-source apps, and more.

The service has 76 VPN servers in 45 locations across 32 countries. The relatively low number of servers is one of the drawbacks of IVPN, but if this works for you, IVPN is great. It offers two plans — Standard and Pro — the Standard plan starts at $6 per month and the Pro plan costs $10 per month. In addition, the Pro version offers extras like simultaneous use on up to seven devices (only two on Standard) and support for port forwarding and multi-hop. You can download the IVPN Android app from Google Play and F-Droid or grab the APK from the company website.

IVPN - Secure VPN for Privacy (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Best Free VPN App: WindScribe

A lot of VPN services offer free tiers, but none of them are as good as WindScribe. The service’s free tier comes with up to 10GB bandwidth per month, unlimited connections, and access to servers in ten countries, including the US, the UK, and Canada. As a result, WindScribe just works, and you won’t have to worry about constant disconnections or other issues.

In terms of the VPN features, you get split tunneling, a kill switch, no identifying logs, decent speeds, and more. WindScribe’s Android app is easy to use, and you can download it from Google Play. It also provides the APK on its website.

Windscribe VPN (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Also Great: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN also offers a decent free plan you can try. It comes with unlimited bandwidth, but you lose on the VPN speed. The service prioritizes the premium users over the free users, so you’re likely to get less speed than what’s available on the premium plan. In addition, the server locations are limited to just three countries — Japan, Netherlands, and the US. You do get 23 servers, though. Also, you can only connect one device at a time with the free plan.

VPN features include support for split tunneling, no ads, no logging, open-source apps, and a kill switch. The ProtonVPN Android app is available via Google Play, F-Droid, and the company website.

Proton VPN - Free VPN, Secure & Unlimited (Free, Google Play) →

Best Budget VPN App: SurfShark

Picking a budget VPN is tricky because of the discounted long-term pricing offered by different services. Some services, like SurfShark, provide affordable rates for their two-year promotional plan, but they charge double the rate for subsequent annual subscriptions. While with other services, like WindScribe Pro, you get a flat yearly subscription price. So if you’re planning to use a VPN service for years, make sure you do the math. Almost all VPN services offered in this list have pretty decent rates.

Based on its two-year promotional pricing, SurfShark is the best budget VPN around. You end up paying just $59.76 (effectively $2.49 per month) for the first two years and the same amount for every subsequent year. Despite its affordable price tag, the service offers pretty much everything you’d want from a VPN. You get simultaneous use on unlimited devices, an ad blocker, no logs, split tunneling, a kill switch, and more.

The service gives you access to over 3,200 servers in 65 countries. You can download the SurfShark app via Google Play or the company website.

VPN Surfshark: Fastest VPN Proxy Servers (Free⁺, Google Play) →

These are the best VPN apps for Android that you can download right now. Which VPN service do you use? Do you think we missed a great VPN app? Let us know in the comments section.

The post These are the Best VPN apps for Android: ExpressVPN, Mullvad, WindScribe, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3bF28Z0
via IFTTT

These are the Best VPN apps for Android: ExpressVPN, Mullvad, WindScribe, and more!

VPNs can be beneficial whether you are trying to hide your internet browsing from prying eyes or just want to access a different country’s Netflix library. They encrypt your outgoing and incoming internet traffic and pass it through their servers, so your data is private, and your location gets obfuscated behind the VPN service’s IPs. Most top VPN services offer apps that allow them to work on Android devices. So if you’re looking for a good VPN app to use on your Android phone, here are our top picks.

Navigate this guide:

• Best for most people: ExpressVPN
  • Also Great: Private Internet Access
• Best for privacy: Mullvad
  • Also Great: IVPN
• Best free VPN: WindScribe
  • Also Great: ProtonVPN
• Best budget VPN: SurfShark

Best VPN App for Most People: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for most people. It has all the modern features you’ll need, including a built-in kill switch, split tunneling, a no-logging policy, and 256-bit encryption. In addition, the service has over 3,000 servers in 160 locations across 94 markets. Given such expansive server availability, you’ll likely find a server in pretty much all major countries and regions.

On Android, you can use the ExpressVPN app on phones, tablets, and TVs. Apart from the Google Play store, the service also offers its Android app APK via its website. So if you don’t have access to the Google Play store, you can still download the app and use it. Using the ExpressVPN app is pretty easy; enable the VPN in the app, select the server location, and you are good to go.

ExpressVPN plans start at $12.95 per month, but the service offers discounts on long-term plans. If you subscribe to the service via its Android app, you’ll get a seven day trial. Otherwise, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN - #1 Trusted VPN - Secure Private Fast (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Also Great: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is another good VPN. One of the service’s highlights is its massive network that includes almost 30,000 servers in 106 locations across 78 countries. That said, 65% of its servers are in North America. In addition, you can use PIA services on up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is more than the typical five devices.

Other features of PIA include support for split tunneling, no logs, unlimited bandwidth, and a kill switch. The service’s entire source code is also open-source. PIA plans start at $11.95 per month; however, you can get significant discounts on long-term plans. In addition, the service offers a seven day trial on its Android app and a 30 day money-back guarantee. If you don’t have access to the Google Play store, PIA, like ExpressVPN, offers an APK download via its website.

VPN by Private Internet Access (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Best VPN App for Privacy: Mullvad

While both ExpressVPN and PIA are known for privacy features, if you’re looking for the absolute best, Mullvad is the answer. The service doesn’t keep activity logs and goes through third-party audits for transparency and to identify security lapses. In addition, Mullvad has several payment options, including cash, so you don’t even have to share an email address with it.

In terms of features, Mullvad is pretty much on par with other major VPN services. You get a kill switch, split tunneling, open-source code, and more. The service has 780 servers in 63 locations across 38 countries. While the server count isn’t huge, it will be enough for most people.

Mullvad has a flat rate of 5 euros. But you may be able to get a deal by buying it from a supported reseller. It doesn’t have a trial period like some other recommendations, but a 30 day money-back guarantee applies to all payment modes, except cash. You can download the Mullvad Android app from Google Play and F-Droid or grab the APK from the company website.

Mullvad VPN: privacy is a universal right (Free, Google Play) →

Also Great: IVPN

IVPN is another excellent VPN service for privacy-conscious users. It doesn’t store activity logs and collects minimal information needed to provide the service. In addition, the service is subject to annual third-party audits. Finally, you get a kill switch, split tunneling, mock location, open-source apps, and more.

The service has 76 VPN servers in 45 locations across 32 countries. The relatively low number of servers is one of the drawbacks of IVPN, but if this works for you, IVPN is great. It offers two plans — Standard and Pro — the Standard plan starts at $6 per month and the Pro plan costs $10 per month. In addition, the Pro version offers extras like simultaneous use on up to seven devices (only two on Standard) and support for port forwarding and multi-hop. You can download the IVPN Android app from Google Play and F-Droid or grab the APK from the company website.

IVPN - Secure VPN for Privacy (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Best Free VPN App: WindScribe

A lot of VPN services offer free tiers, but none of them are as good as WindScribe. The service’s free tier comes with up to 10GB bandwidth per month, unlimited connections, and access to servers in ten countries, including the US, the UK, and Canada. As a result, WindScribe just works, and you won’t have to worry about constant disconnections or other issues.

In terms of the VPN features, you get split tunneling, a kill switch, no identifying logs, decent speeds, and more. WindScribe’s Android app is easy to use, and you can download it from Google Play. It also provides the APK on its website.

Windscribe VPN (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Also Great: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN also offers a decent free plan you can try. It comes with unlimited bandwidth, but you lose on the VPN speed. The service prioritizes the premium users over the free users, so you’re likely to get less speed than what’s available on the premium plan. In addition, the server locations are limited to just three countries — Japan, Netherlands, and the US. You do get 23 servers, though. Also, you can only connect one device at a time with the free plan.

VPN features include support for split tunneling, no ads, no logging, open-source apps, and a kill switch. The ProtonVPN Android app is available via Google Play, F-Droid, and the company website.

Proton VPN - Free VPN, Secure & Unlimited (Free, Google Play) →

Best Budget VPN App: SurfShark

Picking a budget VPN is tricky because of the discounted long-term pricing offered by different services. Some services, like SurfShark, provide affordable rates for their two-year promotional plan, but they charge double the rate for subsequent annual subscriptions. While with other services, like WindScribe Pro, you get a flat yearly subscription price. So if you’re planning to use a VPN service for years, make sure you do the math. Almost all VPN services offered in this list have pretty decent rates.

Based on its two-year promotional pricing, SurfShark is the best budget VPN around. You end up paying just $59.76 (effectively $2.49 per month) for the first two years and the same amount for every subsequent year. Despite its affordable price tag, the service offers pretty much everything you’d want from a VPN. You get simultaneous use on unlimited devices, an ad blocker, no logs, split tunneling, a kill switch, and more.

The service gives you access to over 3,200 servers in 65 countries. You can download the SurfShark app via Google Play or the company website.

VPN Surfshark: Fastest VPN Proxy Servers (Free⁺, Google Play) →

These are the best VPN apps for Android that you can download right now. Which VPN service do you use? Do you think we missed a great VPN app? Let us know in the comments section.

The post These are the Best VPN apps for Android: ExpressVPN, Mullvad, WindScribe, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3bF28Z0
via IFTTT

New OnePlus Watch update adds Spotify music mode, new watch faces and more

OnePlus’s first attempt at a smartwatch didn’t meet with the same level of enthusiasm the company had hoped for. While the OnePlus Watch was praised for its premium design and long-lasting battery, it received a lot of criticism for its unpolished software experience, limited third-party apps support, and inaccurate fitness tracking features. OnePlus has rolled out several software updates to address some of these issues. The last major update for the OnePlus Watch came in July, which improved the speed and accuracy of GPS and optimized some UI elements. Now OnePlus has just released a new software update for the OnePlus Watch, which further refines the software experience and adds new features to the smartwatch.

The B.65 update, firmware version W301GB_B_65_0654, brings along a host of improvements and features, including Spotify music mode, new watch faces, optimized sleep tracking, and more.

OnePlus Watch Review: A Promising First Attempt at a Smartwatch

Apart from the above improvements, the update also adds support for displaying real-time navigation on the watch and the ability to adjust vibration intensity from the watch settings.

Screenshot credit: OnePlus forum user danishhazari

The B.65 update weighs 50MP in size and includes the following changes:

• Add
  • Spotify music mode, sync your Spotify playlist.
  • Support real-time display of some navigation, easy to watch the navigation by raising your hand.
  • Add 4 new watch faces, enjoy your new style!
  • Support mobile phone alarm reminder linkage.
• Optimization
  • Optimize the sleep algorithm and make sleep detection smarter.
  • The vibration intensity can be adjusted in the watch setting to experience stronger vibration reminders.

OnePlus Watch XDA Forums

The B.65 update has started rolling out, and OnePlus Watch owners can look forward to receiving the OTA in the coming days. To check for the update, open the OnePlus Health app on your smartphone and head to Manage > Device settings > Device update.

OnePlus Health (Free, Google Play) →

---

Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the tip!

The post New OnePlus Watch update adds Spotify music mode, new watch faces and more appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3jCHVs3
via IFTTT

New OnePlus Watch update adds Spotify music mode, new watch faces and more

OnePlus’s first attempt at a smartwatch didn’t meet with the same level of enthusiasm the company had hoped for. While the OnePlus Watch was praised for its premium design and long-lasting battery, it received a lot of criticism for its unpolished software experience, limited third-party apps support, and inaccurate fitness tracking features. OnePlus has rolled out several software updates to address some of these issues. The last major update for the OnePlus Watch came in July, which improved the speed and accuracy of GPS and optimized some UI elements. Now OnePlus has just released a new software update for the OnePlus Watch, which further refines the software experience and adds new features to the smartwatch.

The B.65 update, firmware version W301GB_B_65_0654, brings along a host of improvements and features, including Spotify music mode, new watch faces, optimized sleep tracking, and more.

OnePlus Watch Review: A Promising First Attempt at a Smartwatch

Apart from the above improvements, the update also adds support for displaying real-time navigation on the watch and the ability to adjust vibration intensity from the watch settings.

Screenshot credit: OnePlus forum user danishhazari

The B.65 update weighs 50MP in size and includes the following changes:

• Add
  • Spotify music mode, sync your Spotify playlist.
  • Support real-time display of some navigation, easy to watch the navigation by raising your hand.
  • Add 4 new watch faces, enjoy your new style!
  • Support mobile phone alarm reminder linkage.
• Optimization
  • Optimize the sleep algorithm and make sleep detection smarter.
  • The vibration intensity can be adjusted in the watch setting to experience stronger vibration reminders.

OnePlus Watch XDA Forums

The B.65 update has started rolling out, and OnePlus Watch owners can look forward to receiving the OTA in the coming days. To check for the update, open the OnePlus Health app on your smartphone and head to Manage > Device settings > Device update.

OnePlus Health (Free, Google Play) →

---

Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the tip!

The post New OnePlus Watch update adds Spotify music mode, new watch faces and more appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3jCHVs3
via IFTTT

Samsung Internet 16 enhances search results, adds page zoom, and more

Samsung Internet is one of the best Chromium-based Android browsers out there. In some ways, it’s even better than Google Chrome, offering features like a built-in ad blocker, customizable interface, and enhanced privacy and security controls. Samsung has just released a new beta release for the browser, which further improves the browsing experience.

Samsung Internet 16.0 beta based on Chromium 92 is here, and it includes improvements to search experience, protection against transparent pixels, and page zoom support on phones and tablets.

The latest version offers an enhanced search experience. When you enter a search term in the address bar, you’ll see a list of relevant results that includes potential answers, search suggestion chips, and bookmarks and history suggestions. For example, if you type “weather,” the current weather for your location will be shown right below the address bar without having to load the search results. Note that this isn’t exclusive to Samsung Internet — Google Chrome has had this ability for a long while. Furthermore, as you type your search term in the address bar, search suggestions now appear as small chips instead of a drop-down list, allowing more results to be displayed on the screen.

Samsung Internet 16.0 beta is now also able to identify and block a type of malicious tracker which uses a tiny, almost invisible image to track which websites you visit across domains. The new Smart Protect feature in Samsung Internet will find these images and render them useless.

Finally, Samsung Internet 16.0 beta is adding a new accessibility feature that allows users to zoom into any web page on smartphones and tablets.

You can try out all these improvements in the latest beta of Samsung Internet that’s currently rolling out on the Google Play Store and Galaxy Store. As always, the stable release will follow in the coming weeks.

Samsung Internet Browser Beta (Free, Google Play) →

The post Samsung Internet 16 enhances search results, adds page zoom, and more appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3yCArJQ
via IFTTT

Samsung Internet 16 enhances search results, adds page zoom, and more

Samsung Internet is one of the best Chromium-based Android browsers out there. In some ways, it’s even better than Google Chrome, offering features like a built-in ad blocker, customizable interface, and enhanced privacy and security controls. Samsung has just released a new beta release for the browser, which further improves the browsing experience.

Samsung Internet 16.0 beta based on Chromium 92 is here, and it includes improvements to search experience, protection against transparent pixels, and page zoom support on phones and tablets.

The latest version offers an enhanced search experience. When you enter a search term in the address bar, you’ll see a list of relevant results that includes potential answers, search suggestion chips, and bookmarks and history suggestions. For example, if you type “weather,” the current weather for your location will be shown right below the address bar without having to load the search results. Note that this isn’t exclusive to Samsung Internet — Google Chrome has had this ability for a long while. Furthermore, as you type your search term in the address bar, search suggestions now appear as small chips instead of a drop-down list, allowing more results to be displayed on the screen.

Samsung Internet 16.0 beta is now also able to identify and block a type of malicious tracker which uses a tiny, almost invisible image to track which websites you visit across domains. The new Smart Protect feature in Samsung Internet will find these images and render them useless.

Finally, Samsung Internet 16.0 beta is adding a new accessibility feature that allows users to zoom into any web page on smartphones and tablets.

You can try out all these improvements in the latest beta of Samsung Internet that’s currently rolling out on the Google Play Store and Galaxy Store. As always, the stable release will follow in the coming weeks.

Samsung Internet Browser Beta (Free, Google Play) →

The post Samsung Internet 16 enhances search results, adds page zoom, and more appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3yCArJQ
via IFTTT

Samsung unveils the first 200MP camera sensor for smartphones

After launching the industry’s first 0.64μm mobile image sensor, the ISOCELL JN1, in June, Samsung has now unveiled the first 200MP camera sensor for smartphones. The new Samsung ISOCELL HP1 is also based on Samsung’s 0.64μm-sized pixels, and it offers ultra-high resolution in a small package.

The Samsung ISOCELL HP1 promises ultimate low-light performance, thanks to the all-new ChameleonCell pixel-binning technology. This allows the sensor to use a two-by-two, four-by-four, or full pixel layout depending on the environment. In low-lighting conditions, the ISOCELL HP1 can merge 16 neighboring pixels into one large 2.56μm pixel, offering an effective resolution of 12.5MP. The larger pixels help the sensor capture more light and produce brighter photos.

Samsung ISOCELL HP1 pixel layout

As far as video capabilities are concerned, the ISOCELL HP1 can capture 8K video at 30fps with minimum loss in the field of view. The sensor merges four neighboring pixels to bring down the effective resolution to 50MP, allowing for 8K video capture without any need to crop or scale down the full image resolution.

Along with the ISOCELL HP1, Samsung has also announced the ISOCELL GN5. It’s the industry’s first 1.0μm sensor to integrate Dual Pixel Pro — an all-directional autofocusing technology. According to Samsung, this technology “places two photodiodes, the smallest in the industry, within each 1.0μm pixel of the sensor either horizontally or vertically to recognize pattern changes in all directions. With one million phase-detecting multi-directional photodiodes covering all areas of the sensor, the ISOCELL GN5’s autofocusing becomes instantaneous, enabling sharper images in either bright or low-lit environments.”

Samsung ISOCELL GN5 Dual Pixel FDTI

The ISOCELL GN5 also uses Samsung’s proprietary pixel technology that applies Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI) on a Dual Pixel product for the first time in the industry. This technology allows each photodiode to absorb and hold more light information, improving its full-well capacity (FWC) and decreasing crosstalk within the pixel.

Currently, Samsung hasn’t shared any information on when we can expect to see these new sensors on smartphones. The company may offer the ISOCELL HP1 on its upcoming flagship Galaxy S22 lineup, but we don’t have any concrete evidence pointing towards that right now. We’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we learn more.

The post Samsung unveils the first 200MP camera sensor for smartphones appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3zDrIYV
via IFTTT