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How to set up and use a VPN on your iPhone or iPad to securely access your office network

Network & Internet KB-645

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to set up and use a VPN on your iPhone or iPad to securely access your office network. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Setting up a VPN on your iPhone or iPad allows you to securely access your office network from anywhere in Australia or overseas. Once connected, you can reach shared drives, internal applications, and other resources as if you were sitting at your desk in the office. This guide walks you through the entire process, from obtaining your VPN credentials to verifying your connection.

Before you begin, you will need the following from your IT administrator or the 220 Internet Services team:

  • VPN server address (for example, vpn.yourcompany.com.au or an IP address)
  • Your VPN username and password
  • The VPN type (most 220 customers use IKEv2, L2TP, or OpenVPN)
  • If using OpenVPN, the configuration file (.ovpn) and any associated certificates

Quick Fix Steps

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap General, then tap VPN & Device Management.
  3. Tap Add VPN Configuration.
  4. Select your VPN type and enter the server address, username, and password.
  5. Tap Done, then toggle the Status switch to connect.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Gather your VPN details

Your VPN credentials are typically provided by your organisation or by 220 Internet Services when your office network was configured. If you do not have these details, contact your IT administrator or Open a Ticket to request them.

Step 2: Add a VPN configuration

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down and tap VPN & Device Management.
  4. Tap Add VPN Configuration.
  5. Tap Type and select the VPN protocol specified by your administrator. The most common options are:
    • IKEv2 — recommended for most modern setups
    • L2TP — legacy but still widely used
    • IPSec — often used for site-to-site connections
  6. Enter a Description for the connection (for example, “Office VPN”).
  7. In the Server field, enter the VPN server address provided to you.
  8. In the Remote ID field, enter the remote identifier if required (for IKEv2 connections, this is often the same as the server address).
  9. Enter your Username and Password in the authentication section. If your organisation uses certificate-based authentication, select Certificate and choose the installed certificate instead.
  10. Tap Done in the top-right corner.

If your organisation uses OpenVPN, you will need to install the OpenVPN Connect app from the App Store and import the .ovpn configuration file. The built-in iOS VPN settings do not support OpenVPN natively.

Step 3: Connect to the VPN

  1. Return to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
  2. Toggle the Status switch next to your VPN configuration to the on position.
  3. If prompted, enter your password again and tap OK.
  4. Wait a few seconds. A VPN icon will appear in the status bar at the top of your screen when the connection is established.

Step 4: Verify your connection

  1. Open Safari or any web browser.
  2. Navigate to an internal office resource, such as your intranet or a shared drive URL.
  3. If the page loads successfully, your VPN is working correctly.
  4. To confirm your traffic is being routed through the office network, visit a site that displays your public IP address. The IP shown should match your office’s external IP, not your home or mobile network IP.

Step 5: Disconnect when finished

  1. Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
  2. Toggle the Status switch to the off position.
  3. The VPN icon will disappear from the status bar, confirming you are disconnected.

Always disconnect from the VPN when you are not actively using office resources. Leaving the VPN connected can slow down your internet browsing and may expose office network traffic on unsecured public Wi-Fi.

Troubleshooting

VPN fails to connect

  • Check that you have an active internet connection. See How to connect to Wi-Fi for help.
  • Verify the server address is entered exactly as provided, with no spaces or typos.
  • Confirm your username and password are correct. Passwords are case-sensitive.
  • If using IKEv2, ensure the Remote ID field matches the server address or the value specified by your administrator.
  • Toggle Airplane Mode on and off, then try connecting again.
  • Restart your iPhone or iPad and attempt the connection once more.

VPN connects but you cannot access office resources

  • Confirm the resource you are trying to reach is accessible over the VPN. Some internal systems may require additional permissions or a separate remote desktop connection.
  • Check that your VPN configuration includes the correct Proxy settings if your organisation uses a proxy server.
  • Try accessing the resource by its internal IP address rather than its hostname, as DNS resolution may not be configured for VPN clients.
  • Disconnect and reconnect the VPN to refresh the tunnel.

VPN disconnects frequently

  • Move to an area with a stronger Wi-Fi or mobile signal.
  • Avoid switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data while connected, as this can drop the VPN tunnel.
  • If using IKEv2, your administrator may have set a short Dead Peer Detection interval. Contact your IT team to adjust this setting.

If you continue to experience issues after following the steps above, please Open a Ticket with the 220 Internet Services support team. Include your VPN type, the exact error message you are seeing, and the steps you have already tried.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket

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