Turn off Surfshark VPN

How to turn off Surfshark VPN on a single device

If you’re using Surfshark on a computer, phone, or tablet, the process to turn off the VPN is typically the same in the app:

• Open the Surfshark app.
• Look for the big toggle button that indicates “Connected.” Tap or click it to disconnect.
• Confirm if prompted. The app will indicate you are no longer connected to a VPN server.
• Some platforms show a status banner or a system tray icon update to reflect the disconnected state.

On mobile devices (iOS and Android) you can also pull down on the main screen to reveal a Quick Toggle in the app, but the primary method remains the big connect/disconnect button.

If you prefer to turn off the VPN from the device’s system settings (not recommended for quick disconnection), you can disconnect the Surfshark profile or VPN connection in:

• Windows: Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > select Surfshark > Disconnect
• macOS: System Preferences > Network > Surfshark > Disconnect
• iOS/Android: Settings > VPN (or Surfshark in the quick settings/airplane mode panel) > Disconnect

Note: If you simply disconnect, Surfshark won’t route traffic through its servers until you reconnect. Your regular internet connection will resume with your usual IP address unless you have other network configurations active.

The kill switch: what it is and how to turn it off

Surfshark’s kill switch is a protective feature designed to prevent unencrypted or leaked traffic if the VPN connection drops. If you’re troubleshooting or only using Surfshark intermittently, you may want to disable it temporarily or permanently: VPN Xbox browser

• Open the Surfshark app.
• Go to Settings.
• Find VPN settings and locate the kill switch option.
• Toggle the kill switch to Off.

Important considerations:

• With the kill switch off, you may temporarily leak your real IP if the VPN connection drops.
• If you plan to continue using Surfshark but want occasional exposure, consider turning the kill switch back on after your task.

If you ever re-enable the VPN to protect your traffic, you can switch the kill switch back on by returning to Settings > VPN settings > Kill switch and toggling it On.

Auto-connect and app-wide connection behavior

Surfshark can be set to auto-connect under certain conditions (e.g., when the device starts, when you join unsecured networks, or based on app rules). Turning off auto-connect is useful if you want full control over when the VPN is active: NordVPN blocking Google

• In the Surfshark app, navigate to Settings.
• Look for Auto-connect or Connect on start.
• Toggle Auto-connect Off.

When Auto-connect is off, Surfshark will only connect when you manually press the Connect button. This makes it easier to keep your device on a normal network status until you choose to enable the VPN.

What happens to your services and streaming when you turn off Surfshark

Turning off Surfshark will revert your connection back to your device’s standard IP and network routing. This can affect:

• Access to geo-restricted content: You may lose access to catalogs available only on certain servers.
• Anonymity and privacy: Your IP is no longer masked by Surfshark while you’re disconnected.
• Bandwidth and throttling: Some networks may treat VPN traffic differently, so you might notice changes in speed at times.

If you rely on a particular server for streaming or unblocking content, you’ll need to reconnect to Surfshark and select a server that suits your needs.

Managing multiple devices: what to expect

If you’re using Surfshark on several devices, turning off the VPN on one device does not affect others. Each device has its own connection state, kill switch status, and auto-connect rules. To turn off Surfshark on multiple devices, repeat the steps on each device:

• Disconnect from the VPN in the Surfshark app on that device.
• Optionally disable the kill switch and auto-connect if desired.
• Confirm the device shows as disconnected in the app.

If you are planning a longer break from Surfshark on all devices, you may consider uninstalling the app or signing out from your account on devices where you don’t plan to use the VPN. Microsoft Edge secure network VPN: what it is, how it works, and what to know

A quick comparison: turning off vs. uninstalling Surfshark

How to cancel or manage your Surfshark subscription (brief overview)

Sometimes people turn off the VPN but still want to manage billing or subscriptions. Here are quick pointers:

• Subscriptions are usually managed through the platform you used to purchase (e.g., Surfshark account on their website, or app store billing if you subscribed there).
• If you want to stop auto-renewal, you typically need to go to your Surfshark account page and adjust renewal settings or contact support for assistance.
• If you’re ensuring you won’t be charged, you may also cancel the subscription in the store where you subscribed, but check the refund policy for eligibility.

Note: Specific steps can vary depending on the device and platform (iOS App Store, Google Play, Windows, macOS). If you’re unable to cancel or facing billing issues, Surfshark’s support articles and help center can provide platform-specific steps.

Short final section: recommendation

If your goal is simply to stop using Surfshark temporarily, the quickest and most reliable path is to open the Surfshark app on the device and press the disconnect button. If you’re worried about traffic leaks during a temporary outage, consider turning the kill switch back on after you reconnect, or leave it off only while you’re sure the VPN won’t drop. For longer breaks, you can either turn off auto-connect and uninstall the app, or keep the app installed and manage your subscription through the account page when you’re ready to return. SSL VPN poscoenc: What POSCO E&C users should know about SSL VPN

Bottom line: Turning off Surfshark VPN is a momentary action that can be fully controlled at the device level. Whether you’re troubleshooting, conserving battery, or pausing service, you have clear options to disconnect, adjust kill switch behavior, and manage auto-connect to fit your browsing needs.