Turn off Surfshark VPN

How to turn off Surfshark VPN on desktop (Windows and macOS)

Desktop app basics

• Open the Surfshark app.
• You’ll typically see a large connection toggle. Clicking it disconnects you from the VPN.
• The app may show your current location. Disconnecting leaves your traffic unencrypted unless you have another VPN active.

Steps to disconnect

1. Launch Surfshark from your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (macOS).
2. Click the big switch to disconnect.
3. If the app asks for confirmation, confirm to ensure the VPN is off.

Additional considerations

• If you rely on the “Connect on startup” feature, turning off the VPN may be followed by a re-connect when Surfshark is set to auto-connect. Check settings to avoid unexpected re-connections.
• After disconnecting, you can still use your internet normally, but your traffic is no longer routed through Surfshark’s servers.

How to turn off Surfshark VPN on mobile devices (iOS and Android)

IOS (iPhone and iPad)

• Open the Surfshark app.
• Tap the connection toggle to disconnect.
• The app may show a status like “Disconnected.” You can now use the device’s native network.

Android

• Open the Surfshark app.
• Tap the Disconnect button or toggle.
• If you rely on Quick Connect or autos, review the settings to prevent immediate re-connection on app restart.

Quick tips for mobile users

• Some devices show a persistent VPN notification in the status bar. Swiping down to your notification shade can also present a quick disconnect option on some Android versions.
• If you’ve integrated Surfshark with Android’s Quick Settings, removing or rearranging the tile won’t impact the app’s own disconnect behavior, but it can affect convenience.

How to turn off Surfshark VPN from the system settings (for devices without a dedicated app toggle)

How to disable a VPN in your OS

• On Windows: Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > select Surfshark > Disconnect.
• On macOS: System Settings > Network > Surfshark > Disconnect.
• On iOS: Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > Surfshark > Disconnect (if configured via system settings rather than the app).
• On Android: Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > tap Surfshark > Disconnect.

When to use system settings

• If you’re troubleshooting app issues or you need to ensure no VPN connection is active outside the app’s control, system-level disconnects are reliable.
• This path is also useful if the Surfshark app isn’t launching properly but the system shows an active VPN.

Understanding key Surfshark features related to turning off the VPN

Kill switch

• The kill switch blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
• Turning off the kill switch means your traffic could leak if the VPN disconnects.
• To turn off the kill switch: In the Surfshark app, go to Settings > VPN settings and toggle the kill switch off. Remember, this only affects the behavior during VPN issues, not the initial disconnect.

Auto-connect

• Auto-connect automatically reconnects you to Surfshark when the app starts or when you reconnect to the internet.
• If you want to stay off the VPN, disable auto-connect in the app settings so it doesn’t re-enable on startup or connection events.

Quick connect and connections history

• Quick Connect helps you re-enable a VPN connection quickly. If you’re turning off Surfshark temporarily, you may want to disable or manage Quick Connect to avoid surprises later.

Table: when to use which method to turn Surfshark off

Troubleshooting: common issues when turning off Surfshark

• The VPN won’t disconnect: Try closing and re-opening the app, then disconnect again. If it still won’t, disconnect via the device’s system settings.
• The app re-connects automatically: Check and disable auto-connect, and verify that a scheduled task or startup service isn’t re-enabling it.
• Kill switch keeps blocking traffic: Re-enable then disable the kill switch to reset, or update the app to ensure the feature aligns with the current version.
• Connection indicators are confusing: Look for the status label in the app. Sometimes the visual indicator lags behind the actual connection state.

Do you leave Surfshark on all the time?

• It depends on your privacy needs and network environment. Leaving Surfshark on continuously can keep your traffic encrypted and your IP masked, which is beneficial on public Wi-Fi or untrusted networks.
• If you are concerned about performance, you can turn Surfshark off when you’re on trusted networks and turn it back on when you need protection. Use auto-connect thoughtfully to balance convenience with privacy.

How to cancel or unsubscribe (if you’re turning off Surfshark for good)

• If you’re looking to cancel the subscription rather than just disconnect, you’ll need to navigate to your Surfshark account settings on the web or via the app, and follow the cancellation prompts.
• Be aware of renewal terms and potential refund policies, which vary by region and payment method.
• If you’re unsettled about auto-renew, disable auto-renew in your account settings before turning off the service to avoid unexpected charges.

Final recommendation

If your goal is simply to stop using Surfshark for a moment, the quickest path is to open the Surfshark app and toggle the connection off. If you’re troubleshooting connectivity or want to prevent any automatic re-connection, also review and adjust the auto-connect and kill switch settings. For longer breaks or a full stop, consider turning off the app in your system settings, and if you’re certain you won’t need the service for a while, consider uninstalling or canceling the subscription. NordVPN vs IPVanish: which VPN wins in 2026?

In short:

• To turn off Surfshark quickly: use the main toggle in the app or disconnect via your device’s system settings.
• To prevent automatic reconnection: disable auto-connect in the app.
• To avoid data leaks during VPN issues: understand how the kill switch works and only turn it off if you don’t need the extra protection during occasional problems.
• For long-term stop: uninstall the app or cancel your subscription to avoid renewals.