Need a VPN for Android?
Get ExpressVPN Now
Love ExpressVPN? Want a free month?
Refer a Friend NowWhen you install the ExpressVPN app for Android, certain permissions are required in order for the app to work as designed. This guide will show you what those permissions are and what they are used for.
Before proceeding, please note that:
- ExpressVPN for Android makes use of as few permissions as possible to provide a reliable VPN service.
- Permissions marked as “Permission prompt is shown” are not required in order to use the app. However, you will need to enable them to use certain features, such as auto-connect and two-factor authentication for ExpressVPN Keys.
- ExpressVPN does not monitor or collect any data of your online activity or connections. To learn more about our commitment to your privacy, see the ExpressVPN Privacy Policy.
Jump to…
Permissions used by all versions of the app
Permissions only used by the Beta app
Permissions used by all versions of the app
| APP FEATURES | PERMISSIONS | USAGE |
| VPN | Technical name: android.permission.INTERNET
Shown on Play Store: | Accesses the internet. The app could not function without this permission. |
| VPN | Technical name: android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE
Shown on Play Store: | Enables the VPN process to run reliably. |
| VPN | Technical name: android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
Shown on Play Store: | Allows the app to access info about networks (eg. to check if the device is connected to a network). |
| Auto-connect on startup | Technical name: android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
Shown on Play Store: | Enables the app to auto-connect upon launch. |
| Google Play | Technical name: com.android.vending.BILLING
Shown on Play Store: | Enables in-app purchases via Google Play Store. |
| Security Assistant | Technical name: android.permission.BLUETOOTH
Shown on Play Store: | Checks if the device is running Bluetooth. The Security Assistant feature nudges users to turn off Bluetooth when they are not using it in order to prevent Bluetooth tracking and data risks. |
| Notifications | Technical name: android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS
Permission prompt is shown: | Allows the app to send you notifications (e.g. VPN connection status, subscription expiry reminders, warn you about passwords that are exposed) |
| ExpressVPN Keys password manager | Technical name: android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT
Permission prompt is shown: | Signs into Keys using biometric data (fingerprint, face, etc.) |
| ExpressVPN Keys password manager | Technical name: android.permission.CAMERA
Permission prompt is show | Accesses the camera on your device to set up two-factor authentication in ExpressVPN Keys. |
| Auto-connect on untrusted networks | Technical name: android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION android.permission.ACCESS_BACKGROUND_LOCATION
Permission prompt is shown | – Gains your precise location (GPS and network-based) while using auto-connect on untrusted networks. – Accesses your location in the background while using auto-connect on untrusted networks. |
| Auto-connect on untrusted networks | Technical name: android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
Shown on Play Store: | Views Wi-Fi connections when auto-connecting on untrusted Wi-Fi networks. |
Permissions only used by the Beta app
| REQUIRED BY | PERMISSION | USAGE |
| Instabug | Technical name: android.permission.WAKE_LOCK Shown on Play Store: | Allows Instabug to run reliably in the background. |
| Instabug | Technical name: android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE Permission prompt is shown: | – Reads the contents of your USB storage. Instabug attaches diagnostic info it has stored when an issue is reported. – Modifies or delete the contents of your USB storage. Instabug stores some diagnostic info on your device (eg. screenshots). |