Download Free Antivirus

Automatically enabling Avast SecureLine VPN when connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network

This article explains how to configure Avast SecureLine VPN to turn on automatically when your device is connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi network.

The steps in this article only apply if you use Avast SecureLine VPN in Manual VPN mode . If you use the Smart VPN mode option, refer to the following article for information about managing your auto-connect settings:

Enable auto connect

  1. Double-click the Avast SecureLine VPN icon on your Windows desktop to open the application.
  2. Click the Auto-Connect icon in the right panel.
    If the Auto-Connect icon does not appear, this option is already enabled.
  3. Click Activate.

Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your PC connects to an unsecured network. An unsecured network is any network that is not on your list of Trusted (private) networks.

To learn how to add a network to your list of trusted networks, refer to the Manage auto connect section of this article.

  1. Click Go ▸ Applications in the Apple menu bar, then double-click the Avast SecureLine VPN icon to open the application.
  2. Click the Auto-Connect icon in the right panel.
    If the Auto-Connect icon does not appear, this option is already enabled.
  3. Click Activate.

Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your Mac connects to an unsecured network. An unsecured network is any network that is not on your list of Trusted Networks.

To learn how to add a network to your list of trusted Networks, refer to the Manage auto connect section of this article.

  1. Tap the Avast SecureLine icon on the Home screen of your device to open the app.
  2. Tap Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
  3. Tap the gray (Off) slider at the top of the screen so that it changes to green (On).
  4. Select Unsecured Wi-Fi. If prompted, tap Allow and follow the on-screen instructions to allow Avast SecureLine VPN to access your location.

Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your Android device connects to an unsecured network. An unsecured network is any network that is not on your list of Trusted networks.

To learn how to add a network to your list of trusted networks, refer to the Manage auto connect section of this article.

  1. Tap the SecureLine icon on the Home screen of your device to open the app.
  2. Go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
    If the Auto Connect option is unavailable, Avast SecureLine VPN may not have permission to connect automatically. To grant the necessary permissions, tap Connect on the main app screen and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. Select When I connect to Wi-Fi.

Avast SecureLine VPN now turns on automatically when your iOS device connects to an unsecured network. An unsecured network is any network that is not on your list of Trusted networks.

To learn how to add a network to your list of trusted networks, refer to the Manage auto connect section of this article.

Manage auto connect

The following options are available:

Add a trusted network

You can add private networks, such as your home or work Wi-Fi, to your list of trusted networks. These trusted networks are excluded from your VPN auto-connect settings.

Follow these steps:

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Ensure VPN mode and Manual VPN mode are selected.
  3. Ensure the box next to Exclude private networks is ticked.
  4. Click Edit networks.
  5. Click the slider next to your current network to set it as Private, then click Close.

Your current network now appears on your list of trusted networks.

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN, then go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
  2. Ensure VPN mode and Manual VPN mode are selected.
  3. Ensure the box next to Exclude trusted networks is ticked.
  4. Click Edit networks.
  5. Click Add to trusted networks next to your current network.

Your current network now appears on your list of trusted Networks.

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
  2. Tap Trusted networks.
  3. Tap the + plus icon next to your current network.

Your current network now appears on your list of trusted networks.

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
  2. Tap Trusted networks.
  3. Tap the + plus icon next to your current network.

Your current network now appears on your list of trusted networks.

Disable auto connect

Follow these steps:

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Ensure that VPN mode and Manual VPN mode are selected.
  3. Untick the box next to Automatically when connected to the internet.

Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your PC connects to an unsecured network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN, then go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
  2. Ensure VPN mode and Manual VPN mode are selected.
  3. Untick the box next to Automatically when connected to the internet.

Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your Mac connects to an unsecured network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
  2. Tap the green (On) slider at the top of the screen so that it changes to gray (Off).

Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your Android device connects to an unsecured network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.

  1. Open Avast SecureLine VPN and go to Settings (the gear icon) ▸ Auto Connect.
  2. Select Never.

Avast SecureLine VPN no longer turns on automatically when your iOS device connects to an unsecured network. To re-enable this option, refer to the Enable auto connect section in this article.

  • Avast SecureLine VPN 5.x for Windows
  • Avast SecureLine VPN 4.x for Mac
  • Avast SecureLine VPN 6.x for Android
  • Avast SecureLine VPN 6.x for iOS
  • Microsoft Windows 10 Home / Pro / Enterprise / Education - 32 / 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows 8 / Pro / Enterprise - 32 / 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate - Service Pack 1, 32 / 64-bit

  • Apple macOS 11.x (Big Sur)
  • Apple macOS 10.15.x (Catalina)
  • Apple macOS 10.14.x (Mojave)
  • Apple macOS 10.13.x (High Sierra)
  • Apple macOS 10.12.x (Sierra)

  • Google Android 6.0 (Marshmallow, API 23) or later

  • Apple iOS 12 or later
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Was this article helpful?

Need additional help?

Contact us