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Avast One VPN - Getting Started

This article is about the Avast VPN in the new version of Avast One. For information about using the standalone version of Avast VPN, refer to the following article: Avast VPN for Windows and Mac - Getting Started.

Avast VPN allows you to connect to the internet via secure Avast VPN servers, protecting your connection and ensuring your privacy.

This article assumes that Avast VPN has been activated on your device through Avast One. For detailed instructions, refer to the following article: Installing and Activating Avast One apps.

Connect to the VPN

Avast VPN can be used any time you want to connect to the internet with extra security and privacy, and is especially recommended when you are connected to a public or unsecured Wi-Fi network. To connect to Avast VPN:

  1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select VPN.
  2. If you are accessing VPN for the first time, complete the initial setup by choosing when the VPN will connect, then click Continue.
  3. Click Connect.
  1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select VPN.
  2. Click Connect.
  3. The first time you connect to the VPN, you are prompted to add VPN configurations. In the permissions dialog, click Allow.

You are now connected to the Avast VPN default server.

If Avast VPN is unable to establish a connection, refer to the troubleshooting section of this article.

Connect to a different location

Avast VPN has servers in several locations, meaning you can bypass geolocation restrictions and access your favorite content while traveling.

To connect to a different location:

  1. Click the drop-down arrow beside the currently selected VPN location.
  2. Optionally, use the menu to search for a specific server, or select one from the list. For countries that offer multiple cities, click the down arrow and select your preferred city.

Your location now shows as the country and city that you selected.

If certain websites claim that you are connected to a different city than the city you selected as your VPN location, refer to the article: Checking your real location is hidden.

Pause VPN connection

  1. While connected to the VPN, click Pause.
  2. Select how long you want to pause the VPN.

Refresh your IP address

If you experience connection issues while using the VPN, you can refresh your IP address. Click the refresh button while connected to the VPN.

IP refresh is not available when connected to Double VPN or IP Rotation servers.

Disconnect VPN connection

While connected to the VPN, click the disconnect button to end your connection.

Use advanced servers

Advanced servers support specific use cases, such as peer-to-peer sharing, enhanced privacy, and automatic IP address rotation.

Connect to a P2P-Optimized server

P2P-Optimized Region servers are designed for peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing.

  1. Click the drop-down arrow beside the currently selected VPN location.
  2. Select P2P-Optimized Region to connect to the fastest VPN location optimized for peer-to-peer and data sharing.
  3. Select Best for peer to peer to connect to the fastest VPN location optimized for peer-to-peer and data sharing.
  4. Optionally, click the down arrow next to the selected server type and choose a preferred server.

Connect to a Double VPN server

Double VPN servers route your connection through two VPN locations to help enhance privacy and security. Double VPN uses the WireGuard protocol.

  1. Click the drop-down arrow beside the currently selected VPN location.
  2. Select Double VPN to connect to the fastest Double VPN server.
  3. Optionally, click the down arrow next to the selected server type and choose a preferred server.

Connect to an IP Rotation server

IP Rotation servers regularly change the assigned IP address to help prevent tracking, avoid certain website restrictions, and reduce the impact of dynamic pricing. IP Rotation uses the WireGuard protocol.

  1. Click the drop-down arrow beside the currently selected VPN location.
  2. Select IP Rotation to connect to the fastest server that supports IP Rotation.
  3. Optionally, click the down arrow next to the selected server type and choose a preferred server.

Manage VPN Mode

To specify how Avast VPN behaves when you connect to an untrusted Wi-Fi network or visit vulnerable websites, follow the steps below:

  1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select VPN.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Ensure VPN mode is selected in the left panel.
  4. You can switch between the following modes based on your needs:
    • Smart mode: Automatically connects or disconnects the VPN based on the rules you set.
    • Always on: Automatically turns on the VPN when you connect to the internet.
  5. If Smart Mode is selected, use the following settings to set VPN behavior rules:
    1. Always turn on VPN when: Tick the box next to an option if you want Avast VPN to automatically connect each time you perform this action. For information about adding the trusted networks which are excepted from your connection rules, refer to the Manage public and private networks section.
    2. Turn on VPN when visiting these websites: Click Add website to add websites that always trigger the VPN connection. Enter the website domain (such as example.com) and optionally select a specific server location that Avast VPN will always connect to for this domain. Click Add to confirm your custom rule.
    3. Don't turn on VPN on these websites: Click Add website to exclude specific websites from Avast VPN connection. Enter the website domain (such as example.com) and click Add. Avast VPN never connects when you visit a trusted website, regardless of your other rule settings.
      To connect manually each time, untick all options under Always turn on VPN when

Manage public and private networks

When you connect to a private network Avast VPN will not prompt you to secure your connection. To manually define whether a network is public or private:

  1. Click Edit networks next to Connecting to Public networks.
  2. Use the slider to define whether your current network is Public or Private, then click Close.

The current network is now defined according to your preferences.

To specify how Avast VPN behaves when you connect to an untrusted Wi-Fi network or visit vulnerable websites, follow the steps below:

  1. Open Avast One, then go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
  2. Select VPN in the left panel.
  3. Ensure that the VPN Mode tab is selected, then use the following settings to customize VPN behavior:
    1. Always turn on VPN when: Switch the slider next to an option to ON if you want Avast VPN to automatically connect each time you perform this action. For information about adding the trusted networks which are excepted from your connection rules, refer to the Add trusted networks section.
    2. Turn on VPN when visiting these websites: Click Add website to add websites that always trigger VPN connection. Enter the website domain (such as example.com) and optionally select a specific server location that VPN will always connect to for this domain. Click Add to confirm your custom rule.
    3. Don't turn on VPN on these websites: Click Add website to exclude specific websites from VPN connection. Enter the website domain (such as example.com) and click Add. Avast VPN never connects when you visit a trusted website, regardless of your other VPN Mode settings.

Add trusted networks

When you connect to a trusted network Avast VPN will not prompt you to secure your connection. To add your network to the list of Trusted networks:

  1. Click Edit... under Connecting to untrusted networks.
  2. Click Trust while connected to the trusted network you want to add.

Your current network is added to the list of trusted networks.

To remove a network from the trusted networks list, hover the cursor over the network's panel and click the X icon.

Manage Advanced Settings

To manage advanced VPN settings:

  1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select VPN.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select Advanced Settings.
  4. The following settings are available:
    • Activate Kill Switch: Block your internet connection if Avast VPN servers unexpectedly disconnect. This ensures that your online activity always remains private.
    • Enable local device access when using VPN: Specify if you want access to local devices and shared drives while you are connected to a Trusted (private) network.
    • Enable multiple active VPNs: Turn on Avast VPN even if another VPN is active.
    • Reconnect after restarting: Automatically reconnect your VPN after restarting your device.
    • Post-Quantum Encryption: Enable encryption designed to stop future quantum computer attacks.
  1. Open Avast One, then go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
  2. Select VPN in the left panel.
  3. Select Advanced Settings.
  4. Use the following settings to customize Avast VPN behavior when Manual VPN mode is enabled:
    1. Kill Switch: Block your internet connection if Avast VPN servers unexpectedly disconnect. This ensures that your online activity always remains private.
    2. Access Local Devices with Kill Switch: Specify if you want access to local devices and shared drives while you are connected to a Trusted (private) network.
    3. VPN Protocols: Customize the VPN protocols:
      • Automatic (Recommended): Avast VPN automatically selects the best protocol for maximum speed and security.
      • IPSec: Avast VPN always connects using IPSec.
      • WireGuard: A speedy, secure, and trusted open-source protocol.
      • Mimic: A fast and secure protocol made by Avast. Useful in countries with restrictions on VPN use.
    4. Post-Quantum Encryption: Helps protect your connection with encryption designed to stop future quantum computer attacks.

Set up Split Tunneling

Split Tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection and which bypass it. To set up Split Tunneling:

  1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select VPN.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select Advanced Settings.
  4. Tick Exclude apps from VPN to enable Split Tunneling. Optionally, tick Exclude software updates to prevent software update processes from using the VPN.
  5. Click Edit Apps ▸ Add application.
  6. Navigate to the application whose traffic you want to exclude from the VPN, then select it and click Open.
  7. Click Save.

The selected application is added to the excluded list.

Choose a VPN protocol

The VPN protocol determines how your connection is established. You can change the protocol to improve connection stability or speed. To choose a protocol:

  1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select VPN.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select Advanced Settings.
  4. Choose between the following VPN protocols:
    • Automatic (Recommended): Avast VPN automatically selects the best protocol for maximum speed and security.
    • WireGuard: A speedy, secure, and trusted open-source protocol.
    • Mimic: A fast and secure protocol made by Avast. Useful in countries with restrictions on VPN use.
    • OpenVPN: A secure and trusted open-source protocol.

Add browser extensions

The Avast VPN browser extension is an optional component that lets you manage Avast VPN directly from your web browser. For instructions on how to add the extension to your browser, refer to the following article: Using the Avast VPN browser extension.

Enable Ad Tracker Blocker

Ad Tracker Blocker helps prevent advertisers from tracking and targeting you online. To ensure Ad Tracker Blocker is enabled:

  1. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select VPN.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Select Ad Tracker Blocker.
  4. Ensure that Ad Tracker Blocker is ticked.
  1. Open Avast One, then go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
  2. Select VPN in the left panel.
  3. Select Tracker Blocker.
  4. Ensure that the Tracker Blocker slider is ON.

Troubleshooting

If Avast VPN is unable to establish a connection, try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Check that your internet connection works when Avast VPN is disconnected. If your internet connection is not working, check your network configuration.
  • Select a different VPN Protocol.
  • Refresh your IP address.
  • Select a different Avast server location.
  • Disconnect other VPN services that may be running on your device.
  • Restart your device and try connecting to Avast VPN again.
  • Confirm that your subscription is active. Open Avast One, hover your cursor over the side menu and select Account. Ensure Active appears next to Avast VPN.
  • Refer to the following article for more troubleshooting steps: Troubleshooting common issues with Avast VPN.

If Avast VPN is still unable to establish a connection, try to uninstall and reinstall the Avast One application. For detailed instructions, refer to the following articles:

  • Avast One
  • Avast VPN
  • Windows and macOS


Updated on: 16/10/2026

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