- 84.5LEGITIMACY SCORE
- 89.0SAFETY SCORE
- 17+CONTENT RATING
- FreePRICE
VPN by Private Internet Access App Complaints & User Negative Comments 2024
VPN by Private Internet Access app received 95 complaints, negative comments and reviews by users. Have you ever had a bad experience using VPN by Private Internet Access? Can you share your negative thoughts about vpn by private internet access?
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VPN by Private Internet Access for Negative User Reviews
✓ Keeps cutting off wifiRandomly cuts internet connection completely. You have to go to the app and reconnect..Version: 3.23.6
✓ DISAPPOINTMENTI put this app on my iPhone and shared it with my husband. We had nothing but trouble. It stopped us from researching the internet, receiving messages, phone calls and internet banking. I deleted the app and all our issues where resolved. I spoke to Apple advisor who gave me excellent advice. Thank goodness I’m with Apple as they have their own ways to prevent hackers. I was shocked two days ago when this company withdrew $65 from my account after I paid for it last year and came to realise this wasn’t a necessary app for me. I tried reaching out to their customer service and even that wasn’t satisfactory. I’m a pensioner and this company should be ashamed of scamming people like me. Do NOT PURCHASE THIS APP AND DO YOUR RESEARCH!.Version: 3.12.5
✓ Was good but no moreI purchased this a year ago, and it was great. It worked well, didn’t slow anything down and most web sites were compatible. However AFTER I was charged the renewal fee I was denied access. The app indicated my password was incorrect, so I requested a new password, then it indicated the subscription expired and no access. I have made 3 (three) requests through the ridiculous click for assistance, explained the problem and gotten no assistance. I received a few emails about we received your request we are working on it and one that they have high request volume.! Well yeah your app now is terrible. I am going to request a reversal of the charge, remove this awful ripoff of an app and find a new VPN. It is sad when you think Finally someone has gotten it right only to find out, no its just another tech company who cant accept it when something is working..Version: 2.8.0
✓ Just doesn’t work at all nowThe app itself is incredibly simple but the service is appalling for a paid service. The prompts are not helpful at all and when they did work my connection was slow and unreliable. Save yourself the time and money and just a free VPN service. This is an issue spread through all my devices as I cannot even login on my phone as it just refuses it and my connection is just refused on my Desktop PC. The service is terrible and there is no fix at the moment..Version: 3.7.2
✓ Good app for your iOS device except...You cannot turn the darn thing off! So it’s installed on my iPad but I can no longer use it to watch my streaming services! Every time I turn the VPN off, it automatically reconnects! I get why that would be an important safety feature but for the love of cats man- why can’t I enter my password and turn it off, so you’d know it was a legit request! If that’s against “best practices“ then you need to warn people! Also, if you email them with a simple question- ANY QUESTION actually- expect it to take 2-4 weeks for these jokers to reply. Oh and this is AFTER they have your money too! LAME! For an internet based company, I expect more! Again, good app, but needs tweaking (or at least a warning that says, “hey you can’t ever turn this darn thing off- unless you uninstall!”) and *seriously* needs some help servicing customers..Version: 2.2.2
✓ CrushedIt crushed everytime when I open it..Version: 3.23.4
✓ VPN goes stale, connected but dead, so they removed the traffic indicator.*edit* the options for OpenVPN, using UDP seem to keep the connection live. FaceTime calls stay connected, instead of flaking out after a few minutes, and streaming audio livecasts on webpages will keep playing, rather than require a disconnect cycle, and page reload. Still, would be better if the connection rate indicators could return. —————— Great example of removing the indicator of a problem, rather than fixing the problem. It’s always been an issue with the PIA app that the connection would go stale eventually, showing that it’s still connected and attempting to route all traffic over the connection, but not actually having a connection to PIA’s network. Opening the app just shows it hung on “resolving IP address”. Previously, you could at least see that was happening, because the up / down traffic indicator would show zero each way, so PIA removed the traffic indicator. Face, meet Palm..Version: 2.6
✓ Long time user/ long time frustrationYou know, I really wanted to like this app/ service. It’s seemed to have everything that I wanted. I love the integration with desktop and iPhone. The problem I have is that on iPhone it constantly disconnects. Even when I traveled outside of the country the app was telling me that the closest servers were the ones at my home destination. It didn’t even try to update. Something is clearly broken on the backend. It will not stay connected for more than 10 minutes on iPhone. I am constantly having to launch the app, turn it off, turn it back on, wait for to connect just to browse securely for another couple minutes before it disconnects. I have tried every combination of rebooting the app, reinstalling, etc. It is just plain broken. I’m regrettably on my second year with the app, but will not be renewing my membership..Version: 2.6
✓ BlacklistedAll PIA servers are known and blacklisted Can't watch streaming apps And bot questions are extra hard and very frequent.Version: 3.23.4
✓ Connection issues.For the most part this app seems to work great. Unfortunately, it’s not 100%. My biggest issue I seem to have is using Wi-Fi. It doesn’t matter if it’s my home Wi-Fi connection, or my Wi-Fi at work, or any public Wi-Fi. Once I connect to my Wi-Fi at home, the VPN will be connected and work fine; but when I leave and I shut the VPN off, or even when I leave it on when using mobile data, it tends to not want to reconnect to Wi-Fi, any Wi-Fi. If I have the VPN on at home on my Wi-Fi, and then go to work, my phone will not connect to the Wi-Fi at work. The VPN will be on, but it won’t connect to the Wi-Fi. If I turn the VPN off suddenly it connects to the Wi-Fi. Turn the VPN back on and you’re back on LTE. I’ve tried multiple things to try and connect to the Wi-Fi and the VPN, and the only thing that works is shutting the phone off and turning it back on. Then when I leave work, whether I turn the VPN off or leave it on, when I get home it won’t connect to my home Wi-Fi. I will have the VPN on over the LTE, and it won’t connect to my Wi-Fi once again. The only way to connect to the Wi-Fi is to shut the VPN off, or once again power off the phone and back on again..Version: 2.8.2
✓ Latest version will not now hold a vpn connection for more than a couple of hoursUnbelievably, it got worse. Support emailed me with destructions on how to get my router to work after I updated the bios - of course that didn't work. Let me tell you about pia ... it just doesn't work ... don't bother with this sh1t coz it just doesn't work. I eventually switched to ExpressVPN and that does work both on mobile devices and routers no bother no sweat. Do yourself a favour, pay the extra to get a service that works. Before the latest update, I could connection the vpn on my ipad or phone and it would stay connected until I disconnected and would very often stay connected all day. Now, after the latest update which supposedly improved VPN connection negotiation, it will only stay connected for at most a few hours - often it will disconnect vpn after 30 minutes. I don't see how this is called an improvement. Can we have the old connection negotiation back please - that worked. The whole point about vpn is security and privacy. It is not helping security and privacy if your app reverts to the normal (insecure) connection after a short while with you only finding out when you notice it. Oh, and btw, auto reconnect doesn't seem to cure this problem/doesn't work either..Version: 2.2.2
✓ Owned now by a shady companyQuality of connectivity has dropped and it’s now being owned by a former Israeli company known for malwares. I canceled while I was able to and I wouldn’t recommend to anyone..Version: 3.5.2
✓ Keeps kicking me of iPhone data connection, and cannot log into account to cancel subscription.Hi. I have been having trouble keeping a data connection on my iPhone using your service. I narrowed it down to you VPN by resetting the phone to factory settings. Only PIA VPN caused the issue…this over several months and a couple of iPhone version updates. I tried to login to my account on a desktop and on my iPhone using 4 different browser programs, and cannot login. I keep getting the email to reset my password successfully, but it never works to log me on. I wished to cancel my subscription. I had years of reliable service, but the last few months have been awful…besides the PIA VPN kicking me off my data connection, I cannot even log on to manage my account. Thanks for your help in resolving this matter..Version: 3.23.4
✓ Current version very broken.The network management tool wants to disconnect you when you’ve got it set to connect when on various networks. I’m constantly enabling the VPN manually because of it. The versions without the network management tool were more reliable and stable. Edit: I’m now using the beta. V3.0.0 network management tool seems to actually behave as I had the tool configured to behave. Next version should be sweet for everyone..Version: 2.8.2
✓ Totally useless, don’t bother even tryingI’ve been with these nearly a year now. Whereas the service works fine if (and that’s a big if) you use open vpn protocols and a third party app on a desktop. It will not hold a connection for longer than a few minutes on mobile, even with open vpn. Support is utterly useless and keep blaming my device or internet connection. As other vpn providers don’t give me this issue I’m pretty sure it’s pia. Constantly wiping my devices is not a solution to this either, mainly because it’s so inconvenient, but also because it doesn’t do anything to help other than get me out of their hair for a day or 2. I will not be renewing my subscription and I urge others to not even bother subscribing in the first place..Version: 2.6
✓ Most dysfunctional tech company everDo not buy this! While the VPN itself has some nice features the company behind it is a mess. The first order I placed apparently went through but the pass through link was broken so I never received confirmation or the login information. It appeared as though it crashed. A couple weeks later I had time to look at it and ordered it again. Big mistake. The reset password feature is broken, their online chat is literally non functioning, they don’t follow up when you submit a support ticket. The form itself is so outdated it’s not even possible to communicate currently version. The only reason they respond was because I went to Facebook and all I got was an email that confirmed I had an account but still no help. So three weeks into a subscription and lots of frustration I still can’t use the VPN on my other devices. Spend the extra money and choose a company that is established. The tech reviews don’t take into consideration whether the company itself is competent.Version: 3.4.2
✓ UnhappyI bought this product at the end of May and had a lot of trouble with my email. Found out through customer support that “Private Internet Access blocks outgoing SMTP servers to prevent our service being abused to send spam email.” I can request to be placed on a whitelist in order to send email and there are some requirements listed. Among those requirements are being a customer for six months or longer. Six months? I will be the first to admit I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to technical fine points of the web and I’m not sure if I fully understand what the problem is. What I do know is I have to turn the app off every time I use my email. Kind of defeats the purpose. Also not happy to find out that I needed to request my refund of the two year subscription within seven days of my order. My bad, I guess, for not remembering that detail or responding fast enough when I noticed the problem..Version: 2.6
✓ Satisfactory, but US-based.I am just over halfway through my two-year subscription. For the most part I have been happy with this VPN, barring a few points. It has been taking an extremely long time to connect on my laptop, but only lately; I’m not sure why. I have not had this problem on my phone. I like the latency indicator for each location to help you make your choice in cases where region specificity isn’t required. There is also the option to connect automatically. However: note this VPN is US-based, which, I later learned, is one of the English speaking countries which keeps your web browsing activity. For those who want potentially even more privacy, choose a different VPN based in another country..Version: 3.7.2
✓ OkayI mean yeah it’s probably good but since I’m a teen without a credit/debit card I couldn’t get it.Version: 3.11.0
✓ Junk on iPadNever able to get speeds above 6Mbps. Difficulty connecting, crashes. Absolutely unreliable and slow as hell. Thanks for taking my money. 👎.Version: 3.23.7
✓ No longer worksMesses up my wifi connection on ipados 17+ i had to delete the app to clear my connection, even having it off didn’t work.Version: 3.23.3
✓ Never seems to stay connected for longThe first issue I had was that this app just chewed through battery life. I had to change the VPN protocol from OpenVPN to IPSec (based on past feedback) to fix that. But this seems to make my connection unreliable, whether I'm on wifi or cellular. Before the network manager options were released, my internet would just stop working randomly - typically after 15-30 minutes - but my phone would still say it's connected to wifi/LTE and the VPN. Presumably this was the kill switch engaging. Now, even with the option to "protect all networks" enabled under the network manager settings, my connection still cuts out just as often as before, only this time it just drops me from the VPN entirely and doesn't even attempt to reconnect to it. Sure, it doesn't totally kill my internet, but it basically renders itself useless..Version: 2.8.0
✓ No way to canceled web subscriptionI buy one month subscription via their website. They keep billing me every month. They don’t respond to canceled my subscription. No way to stop them. They just need your money, stay away!.Version: 3.18.0
✓ POS updateUpdate for 2.2.2: The app STILL isn't working right!!! I think that all they did is to make the app give a fake report that you're connected and forced it to secretly keep manually auto connecting with no outward indications!!! Essentially they fixed nothing, just hid the issue! The app clearly shows connected with 0 indicated throughput, the settings page says it connected... but in the settings itself it says *NOT CONNECTED*?!? I have screenshots of all 3! PIA is also refusing to credit me back for any time their app wasn't working saying I'm not eligible because I renewed in June yet they broke it AFTER I renewed?!? Apparently PIA is hiding in shame by just recently ending their live chat support and actively DELETING reviews critical of their obvious intent to keep charging/taking days off your subscription even though their app doesn't even work!!! Look at their canned "responses", so the newest version doesn't work with the newest beta iOS or *any* older versions of iOS? Uh, what other versions of iOS are there?!? That's literally saying the app isn't iOS compatible at all!!!.Version: 2.2.2
✓ What happened?What happened to the dark theme given this is all about a visual update?????? Also why does PIA VPN stop working after a while (around an hour or so) in that no internet access is possible from any app even though the whole time the internet was being used. Also happens overnight when using in the morning????? It all looks connected and fine, but go to the app and it shows (at least in the previous version before this horrendous update) zero up and down activity and then shows “resolving ip” yet it never resolves. You have to turn off and on again PIA or aero plane mode to get it to reconnect!.Version: 2.3
✓ Major issue since last updateWith latest update, there isn’t a way to turn off the VPN. This is a major problem. The previous version was much easier to turn off. I can’t find a solution in the support site. You can make a change in settings, but the change will not take place until after it reconnects, which won’t happen it there is an Internet access issue. Please fix this or provide a solution in your support site..Version: 3.0.0
✓ Suddenly stopped workingI have been using PIA for well over a year on both iOS and Windows and have not had any problems. Up until now I would’ve gave it 5 stars. However, all of a sudden v3.6.1 stopped working for me on my iPhone running 13.5.1. At first it wouldn’t connect, it would just spin and now will not allow me to login citing an “SSL error, secure connection to server cannot be made.” Deleting and re-downloading, switching SSID’s etc has not fixed this. Outside of the app not working, my big issue is with the nonexistent costumer support. Initial triage of the issue from PIA was basic. I was told to escalate my ticket since all options were exhausted. So the Development crew replied hours later but showed how they clearly did not read my issue at all from the trouble ticket. If you explicitly state that you do not currently have service and are operating strictly from WiFi as well as you are not able to login, the first two “troubleshooting techniques” should not be “switch to data, or switch from openVPN to WireGuard.” The PIA app still functions on my Windows 10 notebook, but when you pay for services, you expect it to function as stated. I will not be renewing with PIA and will move to ExpressVPN and pay the extra money unless this can actually be rectified..Version: 3.6.1
✓ It’s OKAY.To be honest this is the only VPN app I’ve used. The chrome extension on desktop is the best. For phones it’s okay. I keep getting this issue where it’s stuck on trying to reconnect, it doesn’t cycle through servers after a certain amount of time after not connecting. It mostly happens on WiFi but can happen on mobile cellular data too. Obviously I like to keep my kill switch on so this is a problem. I like it, I haven’t plucked up the courage to switch to a competitor but I just feel like with a few small improvements this could have been a 4star maybe 5 with a couple extra things to make it a bit more seamless. It’s fine for basic use but even then it lacks a certain polished feel one would come to expect as a paying customer..Version: 3.4.2
✓ A great service with a horrible iOS appConstantly disconnects, freezes, crashes, and even connects me to a server on the other side of the world making my connection extremely slow. This VPN service works great on Windows and MacOS, but on iOS (in my experience) this VPN service is one of the worst, which is a shame because the company who develops and distributes this service is amazing. In it’s current state though, I just can’t recommend it. Hopefully this is fixed in the near future, but if every update makes this app worse and worse, then I’m tempted to just cancel my subscription and switch to a service that has a working app. I have tried switching to different protocols, I’ve switched to different ports, and I’ve switched to different encryption methods (in the case of OpenVPN), but nothing has worked. I’ve even uninstalled the app, reset my iPhone’s network settings, and reinstalled the app, but that didn’t work either..Version: 3.9.0
✓ Extremely buggy since update todayWhen it’s connected there’s no internet access and it won’t disconnect..Version: 3.23.5
✓ Look elsewhereI’ve paid for a multi device two years subscription, feel ripped off, all started ok but went down hill, continually turned itself off, leaving you unprotected, quite a few websites wouldn’t work with it, and when I’m away trying to use VPN, so I can log onto things where I need to be in my home country more often than not doesn’t work. Tried to contact the developer a couple of times, they make the process over complicated and never heard back when I managed to get through the procedure. So to around up, I still have quite a long time left of my subscription and have a VPN. That is well below par if it works..Version: 3.23.0
✓ Lowering RatingI’ve used PIA for 8 years. Normally it’s a 5, but lately I randomly lose connection and have to turn the vpn off and on again to get internet. Its a pain, I won’t keep using it like this..Version: 3.23.2
✓ PIA has been sold to sketchy israeli companyPIA has been sold to a sketchy israeli malware company Do not trust it anymore.Version: 3.6.0
✓ The app is brokenIt says it is connected but it isn’t. You think you are safe but your not. Makes it hard to trust this app now. Make sure you check that ‘VPN ID’ is displayed and don’t just go off of the green button. Also check the phone shows the VPN label at the top of the control centre. I’ve been with PIA for years and it is a great service which is what makes this even more disappointing that it can’t detect there is a problem..Version: 3.18.0
✓ When is this getting fixed?Update Aug 6: the latest fix indicates you have a secure VPN connection (e.g., East Coast); however, when you check with IP locator it shows your real location and IP. Therefore, it looks protected but is not. Typically, it will show as Resolving while the indicator shows a secure VPN connection. This is misleading and a false sense of security. ----------------- While this service works reasonably well on desktop PCs, its performance on mobile devices is not acceptable. Several recent updates including the most recent update on July 26 has made a bad app almost an unusable app. This is especially true on older iPads. PIA needs to post an update as to when they will fix the constant drops and errors indicating resolving negotiation issues. I have to reboot my device every 30 minutes to keep the connection going. The app so far has gotten worse with every update. PIA needs to consider offering 1 month free or some other compensation for all the issues once they get this app fixed..Version: 2.2.2
✓ Rip offPaid for product, can’t even use it and no help menu. Just says unable to create account 🤦🏾♂️ if I could give zero stars I would.Version: 2.3
✓ Stupid new update!Ever since the last update that PIA decided to product users with the known public WiFi, it’s become drastically difficult and slow to connect to these public WiFi (coffee shops, subways, shopping malls.. ). Please either find a way to make it easy to connect or remove this mechanism. If I want to use these public WiFi to input any password I will turn you on myself, don’t hold a candle to the sun for me!.Version: 2.8.2
✓ NEVER STAYS ON ANYMOREI have been using PIA for many years now and it has always been reliable. BUT NOY ANYMORE. It is NEVER ON!!!! Why doesn’t it stay on???? I find my self now having to turn it back on manually before I do anything online and even then, it will turn off while I am in the middle of doing things!! I will be changing to another service now. And unbelievably I had just had my bank account debited for another years subscription just a few months ago, just as it was all turning to brown pudding and being a waste of money 😡.Version: 3.5.2
✓ Run, run far away from this app—they’re stealing.I thought this was great for a few weeks. Then, PIA updated or otherwise changed the app. It no longer works at all. Nothing. Entering name and password gets me to a screen that doesn’t do anything. No protection at all. When I explained the problem to PIA (hilarious because it took forever to try to get the simple chat function working) I repeated a request I’d make earlier for them to fix it or refund. The response was that I had seven days from my payment to cancel, thus my two year payment cannot be refunded. And advice on how to get a new password if I forgot it. Obviously, that person didn’t even read the chat, or was too stupid to follow along. So I got 30days of service for a couple hundred bucks. For the next 19 months PIA will be keeping my money and not providing any service. PIA stole my money, and they’ll steal yours too, if given a chance. Run far away from these people..Version: 2.5.2
✓ Disconnects without warningKeeps disconnecting without notice, leaving me vulnerable. Not cool.Version: 2.8.2
✓ Fake ConnectionsYou can select from so many different locations, apparently, but they’re all really only connected to 4-5 different places. For example, “Kansas” is actually connected in New York, and “Los Angeles” is actually connected in Texas. UPDATE: This VPN no longer works or connects on iOS/iPhone. Do not waste your money. Total scam..Version: 3.23.3
✓ Stopped working with iPadWorked great for years, nothing will get it to work with my iPad..Version: 3.23.4
✓ Not workingStop working for no reason.Version: 3.23.3
✓ I’ve purchased it but it only works 60% of the time all the timeI’ve purchased PIA for a year, and have been using it for a few months. Sometimes it works fine, other times it claims it’s working and I can’t use the Internet at all. I didn’t have this problem with surfshark. Right now I’ve re-installed 3 times and it refuses to connect. Wish I didn’t get a year. That’s what I will say..Version: 3.23.6
✓ Good before latest updateI’ve been using PIA for years, but when iOS 16 was released, PIA has had MAJOR connection issues. And now with this latest release, it won’t stay connected at all. Whenever I set my phone down and it goes to sleep, EVERY SINGLE TIME that I pick it up, PIA is either disconnected or will start to try to connect after disconnecting itself, eating my battery and heating up my phone. Then I have to go into iOS settings and do battle with the VPN settings in a no win to get PIA to connect and stay connected. Sometimes it says it’s connected, but I can’t reach a website, the App Store, Gamecenter, or anything requiring internet access. And don’t get me started about leaving my house when my phone automatically switches from WiFi to 5G. If I want to use Waze for example, Waze can’t find the network because PIA is blocking it because PIA won’t connect won’t like it did seamlessly two years ago. So I have to pull over and do battle again through iOS VPN settings just to get PIA to work. It can take FIVE MINUTES. This is such a disastrous update. And my subscription just renewed last month. There are better options out there, and I might ask for a refund. Fix this abomination of an update please. FYI, I had to disconnect PIA in order to reach the App Store to write and submit this. The proof is in the pudding. FIX IT..Version: 3.23.5
✓ Worst customer support, didn't work on standard home wifiUnhelpful chat system. They actually have no idea how to fix any problem except offer an old version of the app. All cue cards and they don't actually care. Getting from chat to support is unnecessarily difficult..Version: 1.0
✓ Horrible, do not useThe iPadOS version just logs you out and deletes your login details, including your dedicated IP settings. And as the dedicated IP token is separate, not linked to your login account, when you re login, you still have to re enter that dedicated IP token, and if you lost that token, there’s no way to retrieve it, basically, you lose the service you’ve paid for. If you try to reach customer service, they’ll just blame you and tell you it’s your fault..Version: 3.13.0
✓ Connection issuesMy VPN doesn’t seem to want to stay connected to certain servers that are available or it either just doesn’t connect and it will stay trying to connect but doesn’t seem to get connected. When it does connect, it doesn’t stay connected long, it will then disconnect without alerting me that it has lost connection and I have that feature on so it’s supposed to alert me. Please address this issue and try to resolve it so we can count on the app to provide us security and privacy while surfing/browsing the web. I am a paid subscriber so apparently that doesn’t matter. I’ll update my review once the issue is resolved or I’ll be requesting a refund. It use to work great until the last update or two, maybe it just needs a lil TLC. I’ll give you guys the benefit of the doubt. - 𝓑𝓾𝓵𝓵 𓃒.Version: 3.7.0
✓ Too bad they like to steal moneyI used PIA for over 6 years. It had always been a 10/10 experience. Unfortunately, they’ve adopted a business model of theft. Two years ago I bought a three year subscription, an offer I still often receive emails for. When my service expired after two years I had assumed it was just a glitch and tech support would review my payments and add another year. Wrong. I was told they don’t offer and never have offered a 3 years subscription offer. So my third year was stolen from me. Even though my receipts showed I paid for it. Even though I have the emails they sent me offering the sweet deal, and even though they STILL send me emails offering the same deals. I wish I could still use their product, it really did make my life a lot easier. I don’t pay twice for anything and I’m not sure why they think they could tell me they don’t have a three year offer, any single one of their current or past customers knows that’s not true..Version: 3.12.5
✓ When it stays connected I like itLike everyone else, I have huge connection problems. It loses the VPN IP regularly and does not reconnect when moving between networks. I have to manually power cycle every time I leave my home wifi. Even if PIA shows connected, if you have the kill switch on, apps and browsing is often blocked because somehow PIA has lost the server. I also experience slow speeds and super long reconnect times for PIA. I'm on cellular right now at a coffee shop, I've been at the same table for an hour, and PIA has lost the VPN IP twice and killed my connections. I did fine the first month, then when I purchased the 3yr plan it went south. I thought the reinstall (to change accts) messed with it, but based on reviews and comments it may have simply been unfortunate timing. I really like PIA's philosophy and want to stay with them. But when I have to turn it off to finish my work because I'm having that many problems, I'm forced to consider another. I'll keep trying. I paid for 3 yrs after all. (And to the March 22 reviewer who is annoyed by all the "can't connect" comments: I HAVE "experimented" with the settings. It still doesn't work. I'm glad yours does. Truly. But that doesn't mean mine does.).Version: 3.0.1
✓ Completely brokenI’m on iOS 17.2, iPhone 14 Pro. The app died on me today and I have not been able to make it work. Tried everything - wifi, no wifi, uninstall, reinstall. Thanks for the good times, good while they lasted. Time to switch providers..Version: 3.23.5
✓ Absolutely AwfulBy far the WORST experience I’ve ever had with a VPN. I wanted my account cancel but no one would get back to my emails but they would happily email me to tell me that they’ve taken my money! All my support tickets were left unanswered while they were still taking money out. Can’t remove MY OWN credit card or delete my account. Definitely been scammed services never worked as why I wanted my acc deleted. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND..Version: 3.9.0
✓ After many years with PIA - I’m finally doneAll of PIAs servers are blacklisted on every site - whether it’s a streaming service or a cloud provider you’ll end up being spammed with Captchas if you google something or being pinged as being geolocated elsewhere. The app also has some serious issues with Dedicated IP (of which I pay additional for). Sometimes it will disconnect and then it will spam my iPhone with a “VPN Connection” prompt asking for my password. If I click “cancel” it will pop up milliseconds later, essentially locking out me out of the phone, or me having to fight against the constant spam until I’m able to eventually make my way to the PIA app and “disconnect” the VPN..Version: 3.23.0
✓ UnstableThanks to PIA I failed to submit my test paper in time :).Version: 3.18.0
✓ UselessIt's not doing what I thought it would do.Version: 2.1.2
✓ Is it just me?Never Stays On, yet doesn’t prompt me like, hey, use this channel. I am not a tech nerd. So it may be my network plan (Aldi doesn’t have same range as Telstra, and I am in the country) but it doesn’t seem to stay on for long on my phone. I download the product on my computer and I keep having to change the password email. I am on an old iMac, it just doesn’t quite seem to be able to comprehensively work there. It may be that I’ve done something wrong but it would be good to have service staff contact me and help..Version: 3.20.0
✓ Connection IssuesI don’t know what you guys did on this new update, but now it’s a huge struggle to connect on iPad and iPhone. It’s try...try...try again, over and over and over hoping it will connect. Switching regions is till a 50% chance it will catch. On my Mac Pro it’s produces slow buffering video streaming even at 100mps speed, slow website loading on both Safari and Firefox and major connection issues on iPad and iPhone. Huge disappointment to a customer of 3 years. Sending “slow speed complaint” for the last 3 years weekly has not improved the service at all and is getting very annoying now. This new update put me over the edge to look for a better service. My one year is up in a month and will be looking for a better provider. **UPDATE** Since the new Mac update recently, everything is running beautifully...connection is flawless on Mac. Connection speed is faster, disconnection speed is also faster. The new design is great and have had no problems with this new Mac update. So CHEERS to the nice job. What ever you did to the Mac update needs to be done with iPhone and iPad update. Connection problems still arise when connecting to Canada and Mexico on iPad and iPhone even after iPhone PIA update. I use them because of the lower MS numbers. Thank you for fixing the Mac issues. Here’s hoping fixes will come to iPad and iPhone issues..Version: 2.5.2
✓ Buy from someone who’s product works and they support there product !I purchased this about 7 months or more ago and the first three months all was great ! Then I started having connection problems with my iPhone and my laptop and turned to PIA Support team for assistance ! They sent me an email about a page and a half of configurations to do to both my phone and my laptop and it was so technical I had to research how to accomplish the configurations . After i finished my VPN has been totally USELESS and I CAN NOT get a response from PIA Support as of yet . My advise to anyone is to buy elsewhere and I really have a bad taste in my mouth for APPLE supporting them by selling this crap on there site and NOT reprimanding them for there incompetence and lack of support ! There is better out there and I’m going to resort to the change as soon as possible and again I advise to stay away from PIA no matter what APPLE says about the product because they are NOT the ones having to deal with the issues this program has ! Good luck !.Version: 2.6.1
✓ Can’t connect anymoreHaven’t been able to connect for weeks through this app. Works on PC..Version: 3.7.0
✓ Not the same...I’ve been using PIA for the last 6 years with absolutely no issues on any of my devices. After I had learned that PIA was sold and did some of my own research on it. I decided that I will cancel my subscription and let it laps when it ran out. I put the reasoning why I cancelled within the process. Ever since I cancelled my subscription I’ve been having nothing but connection issues. I have not changed anything with my devices. No settings have changed, the WiFi service has not changed yet PIA is always disconnecting and reconnecting. Again, I recommended PIA to everyone for the last 6 years and had absolutely NO issues. As soon as I cancel it and continue to use it on my last few months, I’ve had nothing but problems with the connection with PIA. I was planning on using the last couple of months until I figured out if I really wanted to continue with PIA or find another service but I think they forced my hand to find a provider sooner. It’s a shame..Version: 3.4.0
✓ Worst VPN for IOS out there.Constantly breaks wifi on my phone, so i have to turn off the vpn and turn it on again for any connection on my phone to work. Dedicated ips are buggy and constantly ask for my auth token over and over again… Its a shame since they are decent on windows, but when it comes to IOS it is a horrible buggy mess, i have tried contacting them about my issues over and over again and never get a reply..Version: 3.23.7
✓ Poor unusable VPN and supportWas with PIA for a few years but in the last 12 months the VPN service has become really bad. Constant disconnections, slow speeds, when you choose a particular location to connect to like the Netherlands you instead get the USA (tested with multiple locations with same results) & the support was just terrible. Support would answer you and even ask for screenshots but PIA says the constant connection issues rendering the service unusable is normal for a VPN service. Moved on to ProtonVPN. Fast, stable connection and fantastic support. Much more secure too. Don’t bother with PIA. A total waste of time and money..Version: 3.7.0
✓ IPhone app disconnects for no reasonI’ve been using PIA for over a year now and it has not been great. Recently however, it just randomly disconnects and the kill switch becomes inactive so no you details are release to all and sunder. The only way to get it to work is to reboot my iPhone. This is a massive problem PIA, fix it. Also throughout using the service there have been numerous inconvenient serve unavailability. Absolutely terrible service..Version: 3.12.4
✓ HopelessI purchased this VPN specifically to catch up on U.K. tv shows while in the USA. The blurb I read before purchasing told of all sorts of easy connections for this requirement. With my previous VPN I could watch any shows via the tv channel app on my iPad. Initially I could do the same with this one, but one by one I have been closed out of watching channels with error messages and regional restriction messages. I contacted them & they offered no support of the problem. I paid for a year in advance. Would not purchase again. Hopeless for my requirements. If anyone knows of a VPN that does what they say they do, please let me know!.Version: 2.7.0
✓ Still taking money.I did the 1 month trial for £8.99 it didn’t say it would auto renew each month but I deleted this app 2 months ago as I didn’t need it anymore and they are still taking money each month even when it wasn’t a auto renew subscription.. my bank told me to email them which I did and have not heard anything back. Absolutely disgusting service wouldn’t recommend using if your trying out different vpns..Version: 3.18.0
✓ CanadaJe suis déçu du service à la clientèle et de la faible couverture pour le Canada français. La station TVA+ n’est pas disponible et lorsque j’ai informé le service à la clientèle, on m’a simplement informé que ce réseau n’était pas “déverrouillé”. Aucun effort pour améliorer leur couverture..Version: 3.18.0
✓ It doesn’t work for ESPN from NZRead that this would allow me to watch ESPN+ from NZ. It doesn’t. Don’t buy it..Version: 2.6.2
✓ Very buggy VPN with little or no customer supportThe app always leaves me on mobile data even if there’s a home wifi. Having used a lot of other VPN apps, this by far has the worst customer support. Was told I would receive details on the ticket I raised and haven’t had a single email confirmation on the issue I am facing (which is other than mobile data connection). Definitely not recommend this if you are looking for post purchase support. Thank you..Version: 3.23.6
✓ Worst ever VPNDoes not work but shows it’s working, makes it even worse for privacy leaks.Version: 3.18.0
✓ Really disappointedHello PIA developers, Been a long time fan of PIA, which is why it’s all the more disappointing to see the state of the iPhone app and the lack of acknowledgment of issues with the IOS application. In case it’s not clear from the most recent comments your app is broken and unreliable. To see updates coming through to the application is good to see, but made totally useless by the fact the application is broken. Have you(the developers) actually tried to use the app recently? I’ll save you some time. It works sometimes but most of the time it’s connected and no internet traffic gets through. I signed up for a year subscription because of the excellent reputation and past experiences I have had with PIA. Seems as though though this was a waste of money as the app simply does not work. Please do not try to pass this off as user error or device specific issues. Tried on 5 different iPhones using different configuration and different access points. Let me be blunt.... YOUR APP IS BROKEN. Please get it together. Based on what I’ve seen we won’t get any acknowledgment of this issue but at the very least this has allowed me to vent my frustration. Expected better from you PIA......Version: 3.5.2
✓ Have to check the connection qualitySlows you connectivity and creates Issues with the browser. Keeps asking for a captcha login.Version: 2.2.2
✓ App prevents search results.I have this app for a few years. Does it work? I guess so. How would I really know? I know for sure when it’s on I can’t access my search results. They just don’t come up anymore unless I deactivate this app. Mmm that doesn’t seem to me like it really works. Is it supposed to cause me to not get results from a search? Don’t I pay them to make me anonymous? If I wanted an vpn that prevented me from accessing info from a Google search I can have that for free by just going back to paper searches in a library building. There must be a way to prevent information providers from denying access to information bc you don’t want them to know who you are or track you. But I don’t know what it is and neither does this vpn. Even tik tok makes me do the puzzle match bf i can watch a video when this app is turned on to hide my IP address. I tried express vpn. But these two vpn services are owned by the same company. Mmmm? My advice is if you don’t mind being thwarted from obtaining results from a Google search or de activating the app everytime you search, then purchase this app and you will be satisfied. But why buy it when your searches are useless with it?.Version: 3.12.5
✓ App can’t hold VPN connection for more than a few hoursThis seems to be an issue that’s never been fixed, every time I want to use my VPN I have to log into the app and wait around 2-5 minutes for it to connect. My laptop has the app and it is continuously running my VPN, not sure if I’m missing something but I have researched everywhere and seems it be a recurring issue. Would be a good thing to get this fixed as it’s one of the main points of even paying for the service..Version: 3.8.3
✓ Once a champ, now a dud!I've used PIA across multiple hardware for years. Once loved now I'm shopping for the something new and stable. Lately the past 3-4+ versions have been terrible! I don't know what you've done? But, you broke it! My laptops both Win10 and IOS, PIA constantly crashes then eventually locks up when claiming to be disconnecting. Sometimes so bad it requires a reboot. My cell forget about it. It is constantly trying to connect or get a public IP. Forget crossing networks, I'll experience up to a ten minute delay in getting the vpn connected. It's become so bad if I don't turn it off for a few seconds multiple times in a day, my texts and notifications are delayed up to a day or two. I work in health IT and protecting PHI and sensitive info is mandatory. I stopped using my cell for work related items. I contacted their support and they had the audacity to proceed in that it was something on my end! Same behaviors, multiple devices, multiple networks, once it worked, now it's broke. I didn't change a thing. I used to recommend and would even debate in the past PIA it was the best, now I don't even mention that I have it..Version: 2.7.3
✓ Save your $$Garbage VPN, slows your connection to a crawl. Don’t buy...repeat, don’t buy this app.Version: 3.4.2
✓ Same problems persist after years of usePIA constantly has problems connecting, problems staying connecting, and problems using WiFi, instead of LTE. I’ll be connected to WiFi and start PIA, at which point I’ll be connected to VPN over cellular, instead of WiFi. PIA insist that this is just a display bug and I’m really connected to WiFi, but speed tests and prompts to authorize apps to use cellular data indicate otherwise. This “bug” has been an issue for years now and it doesn’t seem like they have any plans to fix it. If you want a reliable VPN that actually does what it’s supposed to do, look elsewhere. Edit: I just went into settings and disabled cellular access for PIA to force a WiFi connection and got a notification stating that there is no wireless connection available, even though WiFi works fine when PIA is disabled..Version: 3.0.0
✓ App asks for feedback and then wants me to fill out a huge formW t f. You want my feedback give me a single text box. The feedback is: google never works..Version: 3.23.2
✓ GlitchyWhen it works you forget it’s there, but it fails constantly and I need to manually switch on and off or try a different server in order to rectify 0kbs up/down. Also doesn’t seem to work with the Facebook app on IOS. I have to connect via Safari...weird. The wait time to “resolve IP” at times is interminable, particularly when coupled with the luck of draw to get a working server. Disappointed as it works fine on my MacBook..Version: 2.2.2
✓ No Communication from PIA!!This is an update to my last review: Finally someone from PIA has responded to my connection problems, and I'm happy to say that it's now fixed. In the future I would really appreciate a much faster response to problems experienced, instead of waiting so long for assistance. I do however feel that PIA don't deserve five stars, that's why I'm giving you guys only three stars. As a first time customer, I'm really disappointed. Absolutely terrible communication! For the last two days I've been trying to sort an installation issue, and I've emailed these guys about it & left a message, but so far no one has had the courtesy to get back to me. I've just sent a second email, and I really hope that someone will get back to me this time. Very unprofessional behaviour, and so far I regret signing up & paying $9.99. I'm honestly thinking of requesting a refund..Version: 2.1.2
✓ Update? How to reverse engineer success.After working incredibly well the latest update had taken all the features & stability & ripped it all out. It now has an annoying dynamic island always on dialogue box that is useless & defunkt. The VPN shuts itself off sporadically & does not earn you. Try & contact any of the devs & get ready for a prohibitive & un user friendly form. The devs are not interested in criticism or they would have not put their feedback behind an admin wall. They think their app works perfectly. It doesn't. The new app is borked. Time to move on to a new VPN. It's a pity because the desktop version had been consistent & good for a while. It won't be long before the dev team damage that beyond usability..Version: 3.23.4
✓ Excellent on IOS diabolical on everything elsePurchased this subscription to use on my iPad and my firestick. Outstanding performance on iOS however ‘client update needed’ message on all servers on the firestick. If you only intend to use this on iOS you will be pleased, but if you want to use more connections which are non iOS prepare to be highly disappointed!.Version: 3.8.4
✓ Drops wifi and no access to BBC or SBSDrops the wifi network about 80% of the time, with the only solution offered to reset all the networks on my phone. Also completely unable to access BBC iPlayer or SBS in Australia when other friends VPNs have no problem. Will be cancelling my sub, and wouldn’t recommend..Version: 2.8.2
✓ I used to love this productI’ve been a subscriber to PIA for 2 or 3 years now and this year, I’m going to let my subscription lapse. I joined PIA because of the overwhelmingly positive reviews, and for a time, I was in agreement. The iOS, Windows, and macOS clients were all dead simple to use and I even had the private IP subscription to eliminate all the annoying CAPTCHAs sites like Google throw in your way. Now, however, it seems like 50% of the times the latency and speeds are completely unusable for even the most basic of web browsing, making it so that I have to turn the VPN off to even be able to browse the web sometimes—which defeats the entire purpose of paying for a VPN. Additionally, while the desktop apps have gone relatively undisturbed, the iOS app has gotten buggier over time. The switch doesn’t always line up with the status of the VPN and the widgets are completely worthless considering all they really do is open the app and sometimes but not always display the current connection status. Additionally, in a recent update, there’s a live notification always living in the Dynamic Island with the PIA logo and a connection status symbol with seemingly no way to disable it, which gets incredibly annoying. I wish I could enjoy using PIA like I used to, but now I have enough grievances now to where I’m ready to move on. Hopefully these issues can be fixed in the future..Version: 3.23.3
✓ Something is wrong. Won’t allow me to open and sign inI cant get it to open on my iPod. Worked before.Version: 3.23.6
✓ Geo Block NOT gurenteed.BE WARNED - Have had PIA since 2018 and recently I have been Geo blocked from a popular music streaming site in the USA (I’m Aust). When PIA was questioned on why I cannot access despite there site saying it can Geo Block their response (Quote) “Some large websites place blanket bans on VPN use.” Even their “Smart DNS” can not guarantee Geo block prevention. Nowhere on the PIA site can I find this information I found out through PIA online chat, that conversation went downhill when I pushed back asking where on the site can I find this clause? - no response. Feel lack of disclosure here is a breach here of Aust consumer laws?.Version: 3.18.0
✓ Paid for full yr & access was denied after 2wksI tried this out for the free trial and decided why not go ahead and use it. I paid for a whole year subscription and after two weeks it denied me access. I emailed the customer care about the situation and they could not fix the issue! My card was fully charged so I decided to ask for a refund! I deleted the app not being able to use it and thought that the company would credit after however long it took! To my surprise I got an email close to the year is over stating I needed to renew or my subscription would be canceled! I looked into my credit history and I never got a credit like how I asked after they couldn’t solve a simple issue! The customer support isn’t the best as you can tell! I would not recommend this app to anyone! Even after I got the last email I reached out again asking why I was charged when I had canceled from the start. Of course I never got a response! This company is a thief!.Version: 3.18.0
✓ Used to work greatNow it blocks all traffic or is unbearably slow. I’m done with this garabage..Version: 3.23.7
✓ IOS 17Ne fonctionne pas avec IOS17 sur IPAD and IPHONE.Version: 3.23.2
✓ SCAM SCAM SCAMDo not download this app! Total waste of space, support doesn’t even have the decency to reply to any tickets raised and I have raised three with them already. The service doesn’t even work, can’t browse the internet without it throwing a wobbler so I’ve now cancelled the free subscription and deleted the app completely. Now downloaded AVAST which was recommended to me by a family friend who has used them for years and had zero issues. So far I have also experienced no issues, much better than these creeps!.Version: 3.12.4
✓ Do not fall for free trialTried this for one hour, didn’t work for my needs, freaking nightmare trying to get my money back. They just keep saying that it’s cancelled and will just run out the time I paid for, supposed to be 30 day money back guarantee, I have absolutely no interest in keeping it, total con!!.Version: 3.12.0
✓ Don't waste your money on thisCountry specific VPN does not work. Don't waste your money subscribing to this VPN provider..Version: 2.1.2
✓ Good but sometimes gets stuckGood app overall when it works. Easy clean interface unlike the Windows desktop design. However the VPN connection sometimes gets stuck which I move to a new WiFi area. It will just stay at “connecting” forever and it would stop any internet connection during this time. I can’t turn it off even from the iPhone settings..Version: 3.0.1
✓ Please fix new version or let us upload old oneHello dear team I successfully used you app on my iPhone and laptop (Apple) for quite some time. Recently something went wrong and here is what I experience: 1) with downloaded pia app (and I uninstalled and reinstalled it several times from App Store; obviously, rebooted my phone as well) I can’t use any app that requires internet connection nor I can use safari or any other browser on my phone. Once I delete the app- internet works. 2) when I open pia app, sign in and try to connect- the “on” button remains red- it never picks a country. I tried both- automatic and manual choice. 3) when I switch internet provider and/or source- I still experience problems mentioned above. Update: after new version (3.23.4) came out - it still doesn’t work on IPhone 11.Version: 3.23.4
✓ Driving me crazySeems to work well on my PC. Was ok on my phone for the first couple of weeks. Now it's terrible. Shows VPN symbol but when you try to download email or a webpage it just doesn't load. Go to the app and it says it's connected but no data flow. It seems to lose connection every time I move from one cell tower to another. But I have been sitting still for half an hour with good cell reception and have had to toggle it off and on four times. It even routinely stops sending data when I'm home sitting 8 feet from my wifi router. And I bought a 2 year subscription a month ago after an exhaustive search for the best VPN. Not to mention the fact that it seems to randomly connect me through Romania when on automatic setting. Needless to say lots of American websites block that access..Version: 2.2.2
✓ Don't botherFound that whenever I tried to Google something it was constantly asked to verify I'm not a robot and was askingme over and over and I not end up able to getting my Google search. Like I would check the I am not a robot check box then be forced to do the “select which pictures show a bus” and it would sit there and stay on that even when there were no longer any bus pictures to select. It would ask me more 3 times to check the check box and do the picture to get to the 1 search I had done - so I wasn't able to get to my search and that was even when I played with relaxing some of the security protocols. Luckily it was in a trial so I cancelled it and went to a competitor and found it far better..Version: 3.23.4
🙂 VPN by Private Internet Access Positive Reviews
VPN by Private Internet Access works most of the time. If it is not working for you, we recommend you excersise some patience and retry later or contact VPN by Private Internet Access.
⛔ VPN by Private Internet Access Problems
