Pixel VPN by Google gets a Quick Settings upgrade to boost usability

A woman looking at a blue Google Pixel 10 phone — (Image credit: Google)

Pixel VPN by Google updates its Quick Settings tile to boost usability
Users no longer need to open the VPN interface to check connection status
The update makes Google’s free VPN more practical for everyday protection

Google is rolling out a small but useful upgrade to the Pixel’s native VPN by Google. The update makes it easier to see your connection status at a quick glance, improving the VPN’s Quick Settings tile and making the app more convenient for daily use.

Rather than introducing any new security features, the update focuses solely on usability. Pixel users can now check whether the VPN is connected, paused, or having connection issues directly from the Quick Settings panel, without needing to open the app’s full interface.

The update applies to supported devices, starting from the Pixel 7 and newer models. It’s being rolled out with version 2025.12.19.x of VPN by Google, alongside a server-side switch that enables the new functionality.

What’s new in the Quick Settings tile

Google Pixel 10a FIRST LOOK — (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Before the update, the larger 2x1 Quick Settings tile for Pixel VPN wasn’t particularly informative.

As reported by 9to5Google, it displayed 'VPN by Google' twice, and the only indication about your connection’s status was a change in color: filled when active, and lighter when disconnected. To see the exact status, you had to long-press the tile to open the full VPN interface.

With this update, the second line of the 2x1 tile now shows the VPN’s live connection state: 'Connected,' 'Paused,' 'Connecting…,' or 'Can’t connect.'

The tile’s shape and color adjust accordingly, too, switching between either a filled rounded rectangle when the VPN is active, and a lighter pill shape when paused. The smaller 1x1 tile still doesn’t display status, but long-pressing either version of the tile still opens the full VPN interface.

How to use the new functionality

If you haven’t already enabled Pixel’s VPN by Google, you can set it up by going to Settings > Network & internet > VPN > VPN by Google and accepting the terms. Once it’s active, the VPN tile will appear in your Quick Settings panel.

To make the most of the new status feature, swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the pencil (edit) icon. From there, drag the VPN tile into position and expand it to the larger 2x1 size – this is required to display the live connection status.

With just a glance, you can now see whether your VPN is connected, paused, or struggling. This makes troubleshooting quicker, improves your visibility on public Wi-Fi, and reduces the number of taps needed to confirm your connection.

Why this matters for Pixel users

Pixel VPN replaced Google One VPN and is now available for free on supported Pixel devices, making it one of the easiest ways to enable built-in online protection. Its simplicity is a key part of its appeal. However, before this update, checking its status wasn’t very intuitive.

By improving its usability and making connection status more visible, Google has increased the chances that users will keep the VPN switched on. It also makes it clearer and prevents confusion when connections fail.

Despite this, VPN by Google remains a fairly basic app compared to dedicated services featured in our guides for the best VPN for Android and the best free VPN options.

The update isn’t a feature overhaul; it’s a tweak to its ease-of-use. But clearer visibility means more everyday VPN use, and it shows that Google is intent on refining the Pixel VPN experience.

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