How to set up a manual WireGuard® connection on Android

In this article, you will learn how to set up a manual WireGuard® connection on your Android device.

You will need an Android device, the WireGuard® app, credentials (a key pair), a server configuration file (a location to which you would like to connect), and an active Surfshark subscription. You can find the available plans on Surfshark's pricing page.

Here are the steps we will go through:

1. Get your key pair
2. I have a key pair
3. I don't have a key pair
4. Choose a server
5. Download WireGuard® and connect to the VPN
6. Ensure the connection is successful

Get your key pair

There are two ways we can go from here. You might have generated a key pair, and you'll be able to use it. Or, we will have to generate one.

If you have a key pair already, continue the tutorial as usual. If you do not, you should move on to the I don’t have a key pair section.

NOTE: You must generate the key pair before doing anything else. Otherwise, the connection won't be successful.

I have a key pair

1. Go to Surfshark's login page and log in. Then, click Products > VPN.
   
   
   
2. In the VPN section, tap Manual setup, select Desktop or mobile, and WireGuard.
   
   
   
3. In the next window, tap on I have a key pair.
   
4. Enter a name for your key pair and tap Next.
   
   
   
5. Enter your public key and hit Save.
   
   
   

I don't have a key pair

1. Go to Surfshark's login page and log in. Then, click Products > VPN.
   
   
   
   
2. In the VPN section, tap Manual setup, select Desktop or mobile, and WireGuard.
   
   
   
3. Then, tap on I don't have a key pair, enter a name of your choice, and tap Next. Proceed to the next screen by pressing Generate a new key pair.
   
   NOTE: Copy and store the generated key pairs on your device. You won't be able to check them here again.
   
   
   
   

   Choose a server
   
   

   Once you have your key pair, you can proceed by pressing on the Locations tab. Once there, tap the download icon of the server to download the configuration file.
   
   The configuration file should end up in the Downloads folder of your Android device by default.
   

Download WireGuard® and connect to the VPN

1. Open up the Google Play Store and search for WireGuard®. Proceed to download and install the application.
   
   
   
2. Once the app is installed, open it and press + at the bottom right. Proceed by tapping Import from file or archive.
   
   
   
3. Select the configuration file you downloaded earlier. Once you locate it, tap on it to import it. 
   
   
   
4. Toggle the switch to activate the connection.
   
   
   

   Ensure the connection is successful

    

   We always recommend checking if Surfshark VPN is working after setting it up for the first time. You can easily do it by performing Surfshark IP leak test and a DNS leak test. For your convenience, both are available on our website.

You may also be interested in:

1. 1. How to make sure if Surfshark VPN is working
   2. How to connect from countries with internet restrictions
   3. How to set up Surfshark VPN on Android