Frequently Asked Questions

Lantern is a nonprofit VPN that delivers fast, reliable access to the open internet. If you need to bypass censorship or simply want a VPN you can trust, Lantern keeps you connected, even in heavily restricted regions.

Lantern is free to use, with optional Pro upgrades. Every Pro subscription helps fund the anti-censorship technology that keeps Lantern effective where internet censorship is heaviest, ensuring free access stays available where it matters most.

Unlike commercial VPNs, Lantern was built specifically to combat censorship.

For over 12 years, we've kept people connected during some of the world's most significant human rights crises, from Hong Kong's 2019 protests to Iran's Women, Life, Freedom movement. This real-world experience shaped every part of our technology, from AI-optimized routing to supporting more circumvention protocols than any other VPN.

Instead of using marketing scare tactics, we're honest about what VPNs actually do and when they should be used. We built smart split tunneling that protects only what needs protection. Your already-secure HTTPS traffic stays fast and direct. We focus on what matters: bypassing blocks, protecting unencrypted traffic, and keeping sensitive data private.

As a nonprofit, our mission comes first. We're open source, independently audited, and never log your activity. With Lantern's Private Server feature, you can even run your own server for maximum privacy and control. Using Lantern means joining a global community working to expand internet freedom.

Lantern is developed by Brave New Software Project, Inc., a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. As a registered nonprofit, we're transparent, mission-driven, and legally bound to serve internet freedom rather than maximize profits.

Subscribe to Lantern Pro. Your subscription funds advanced circumvention technology and provides free access for people in censored regions.

Run Unbounded. Share your connection securely to help someone break through censorship. Safe, simple, and impactful.. Visit unbounded.lantern.io to get started.

Spread the word. Tell friends and family about Lantern, especially those who need reliable circumvention tools or simply want a VPN they can trust. Every new user strengthens the network.

Donate directly. Support our nonprofit mission at https://lantern.io/donate. Every contribution helps us maintain and expand free access where it's needed most.

You only need to create an account if you want to upgrade to Lantern Pro. The free version works without an account.

• Direct Android download or Desktop: Click the Pro Upgrade Banner, select a plan, and enter your email. You'll receive a confirmation code. Enter the code, then complete payment.

• Google Play or Apple App Store: Click the Pro Upgrade Banner, select a plan, and complete the in-app purchase. You can add an email for sign-in right after purchase or later in Settings (☰) → Account.

Open Lantern and go to Settings (☰) → Sign in. Choose Email, Google, or Apple.

Open Settings (☰) → Account → Change email.

1. Enter your password.
2. Enter your new email.
3. Enter the confirmation code sent to your new email.

Use Forgot your password from the sign‑in screen.

1. Enter your email.
2. Enter the confirmation code sent to your email.
3. Enter and confirm your new password.

Open Settings (☰) → Account → Delete account. Enter your password to confirm deletion.

Note: If you delete your account, any remaining Pro subscription time will be forfeited without possibility of a refund.

For legacy Pro users without a password:

• If you're currently signed in: Go to Settings (☰) → Account → Add email to set up your email and password.

• If you're not signed in: Go to Settings (☰) → Sign in, enter your Pro email, and select Forgot password to create a password.

Your payment options depend on where you downloaded Lantern:

• Google Play (Android): Google Play in-app purchases
• Apple App Store (iOS): Apple in-app purchases
• Direct download (Android): Credit cards, UnionPay through Stripe, and regional payment methods
• Desktop (Windows, Mac & Linux): Credit cards, UnionPay through Stripe, and regional payment methods

It depends on where you downloaded Lantern:

• Google Play – Manage your subscription through your Google Play account, just like other in-app purchases. You can update payment methods or cancel directly in the Google Play Store.

• Apple App Store – Manage your subscription through your Apple ID settings. You can change plans or cancel from your iOS device or Apple account page.

• Direct download (Android) or Desktop – If you paid via credit card or UnionPay using Stripe, go to Settings (☰) → Account → Manage Subscription. This opens the Stripe subscription management portal, where you can update payment methods, change plans, or cancel.

It depends on how you purchased Lantern Pro:

• Google Play – Go to your Google Play account and open Payments & subscriptions to view your receipts and payment history.

• Apple App Store – Open the App Store app, tap your Account icon, then go to Purchase History to view your receipts.

• Direct download (Android or desktop) – If you paid via Stripe (credit card or UnionPay), your receipt is sent to the email you entered at checkout. You can also view and download receipts anytime:

  1. Open Lantern
  2. Go to Settings (☰) → Account → Manage Subscription
  3. This opens the Stripe subscription management portal, where you can see your payment history and download invoices.

Click "Download" in the header of this page, and you'll automatically be taken to the download page for the platform you are currently using.

Mobile

• Android: Google Play Store or direct download from our website
• iOS: Apple App Store

Desktop

• Windows: Download directly from lantern.io
• macOS: Download directly from lantern.io
• Linux: Download directly from lantern.io

If Lantern is blocked in your region:

• Visit our GitHub releases page: github.com/getlantern/lantern
• Send a blank email to our autoresponder for direct download links: [email protected]

All downloads are free. Lantern Pro features are available as an optional upgrade within the app.

On Android 14 and above:

1. Open Settings from your app launcher.
2. Go to Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps.
3. Choose the app you'll use to install (such as your file manager or browser) and turn on Allow from this source.
4. Download the Lantern APK from Lantern's GitHub.
5. Once downloaded, open the APK file from your Downloads folder or file manager and select Install.
6. When installation is complete, you'll see a confirmation message.

Note: Steps may look slightly different on earlier Android versions.v

Open Settings (☰) → Support. Your version number is displayed at the bottom of the Support section.

When you first connect with Lantern, macOS will automatically prompt you to approve the system extension. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation. You only need to do this once.

If you need to verify it's installed later: Apple menu → System Settings → Login Items and Extensions → Network Extensions → click the (i) icon → ensure Lantern is enabled.

Split tunneling gives you control over which traffic tunnels through Lantern and what connects directly. It protects what needs protection while keeping everyday browsing fast.

How Lantern decides

• Automatic mode (default): Blocked, unencrypted (HTTP), or sensitive traffic routes through Lantern. Trusted HTTPS sites connect directly for faster performance.
• Decisions are region-aware, tailored to overcome restrictions in your area.

Why this helps

• Tunneling already-encrypted, uncontroversial HTTPS sites like search or news doesn't do much to protect your privacy, and it can slow you down.
• Many VPNs route all traffic through their servers. Some claim this makes you safer, even though it often adds little real protection and slows your connection. Others do it to collect data on your browsing habits. Lantern's default approach protects only what needs protection, keeping you safe without unnecessary slowdowns or surveillance.

Your options

• Automatic (default): Smart routing based on region and destination.
• Manual: You choose which apps and websites go through Lantern.
• Full VPN: Turn split tunneling off to route all traffic through Lantern.

Platforms

• Windows, Mac: App-level and website-level split tunneling. App-level control on desktop VPNs is rare, and it's one of the features that makes Lantern unique.
• Android: App-level and website-level split tunneling.
• iOS: Due to iOS limitations, all app traffic goes through the tunnel by default. Website-level split tunneling isn't available yet.

Transparency and control

• You can review the public routing lists on GitHub for our Global, Iran, China, and Russia-specific lists to see how traffic is handled in each region.
• You can switch modes anytime.

Lantern Pro includes a built-in ad blocker that uses DNS filtering with regularly updated rules to prevent ads, trackers, and other unwanted requests from loading. This speeds up browsing, reduces bandwidth use, and creates a cleaner online experience. You can turn it on anytime from Settings (☰) → VPN Settings → Enable Ad Blocking.

Private Server lets you run your own VPN infrastructure with Lantern's app, giving you control over your connection. Instead of relying only on Lantern's servers, you can host your own and connect through it or share it with trusted friends and family.

Why we built it

A major criticism of most VPNs is that they simply shift your trust from your internet provider to the VPN company, and many of those companies are owned by large, opaque corporations. With Private Server, you don't have to put that trust in us or anyone else. You can run Lantern entirely on hardware you control and decide exactly who, if anyone, you share it with.

Setup options

• DigitalOcean: Sign in from Lantern, authorize the app, and choose a server location. Setup is automated.
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Authorize your account and deploy a server through Lantern.
• Manual setup: Install Lantern's server software on your own cloud or physical machine and paste the output into Lantern to connect. Instructions on GitHub.

Sharing and joining

• Share your server's key with others to give them access.
• Join someone else's server by entering their key.
• Select your Private Server from Lantern's server location menu.

Things to know

• Private Server is completely free to use with Lantern. You only pay your chosen cloud provider directly for server hosting.
• Performance and availability depend on the host you choose.

Protocols are the methods VPNs use to establish secure connections. Lantern specializes in both standard VPN protocols and advanced censorship-bypass protocols, intelligently switching between them based on your network conditions.

The app automatically selects the most effective protocol based on:

• Type of blocking in your region – for example, DNS tampering, IP blocking, or deep packet inspection
• Connection speed – how quickly data moves through each protocol
• Reliability – how well the connection stays active under heavy censorship

Lantern has more integrated protocols than any other VPN. This variety allows it to adapt quickly when one method is blocked, keeping you connected where other services might fail.

Lantern continuously monitors which protocols work best in each region and updates them in the background. You don't need to manually update the app to benefit from new or improved protocols.

These protocols are the result of over a decade of real-world use in challenging environments. The combination of multiple protocol options and automatic switching makes Lantern far harder to block than VPNs that rely on a single method.

To view the complete list of protocols Lantern supports, click here.

Unbounded is a volunteer-powered network that helps people in censored regions connect to the open internet. It works by turning volunteer devices into secure, temporary access points that others can use to get online when traditional infrastructure is blocked.

Unbounded is currently available as a browser extension at unbounded.lantern.io. We plan to integrate it into the Lantern app to make participation easier. When it's integrated, you'll be able to share your connection securely with others, helping expand internet access where it's most restricted.

Lantern Pro is our premium subscription that includes:

• Unlimited bandwidth
• Faster speeds on premium servers with less congestion
• Access to server location selection
• Connect up to 5 devices simultaneously
• Built-in ad blocking
• Advanced anti-censorship technology

Every Pro subscription helps fund free access in censored regions.

Running a global circumvention network requires significant infrastructure and bandwidth costs. To keep Lantern sustainable while offering free access, we implement daily data limits for free users.

These limits help us manage costs while ensuring everyone can try Lantern and access essential information. In regions with pervasive internet censorship where paid options are difficult or impossible to access, we provide exemptions to ensure people can stay connected.

Unlimited data is available with Lantern Pro, and every Pro subscription helps fund free access where it's needed most.

Open Lantern → Click Upgrade to Pro → Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right → Select Lantern Pro License → Follow the instructions to complete your upgrade.

Yes. Every user gets a unique referral code to share with friends. You can earn up to two free months of Pro depending on how many months your friend purchases.

To find your referral code: Settings (☰) → Invite Friends

Your friends can enter your code from the payment screen: Click the three-dot menu (⋮) → Referral code (available on desktop and direct Android downloads only).

Lantern Pro works on up to 5 devices simultaneously. Just sign in with your email and password on each device. If you try to sign in on a 6th device, you'll be prompted to remove a device first.

Just download Lantern on your additional device and sign in with the same email and password you use for your Pro account. The device will automatically be added to your account (up to 5 devices total).

From the device you want to remove: Settings (☰) → Logout (at the bottom)

From another device: Settings (☰) → Account → Remove Device

Lantern is built for transparency and user control. We never log your browsing activity. Our open-source software is independently audited, and anyone can verify how it works.

We're a nonprofit with over a decade of experience building tools for heavily censored and at-risk users around the world. Unlike many commercial VPNs, our mission is to expand internet freedom, not to collect or monetize your data.

You can even run your own server with Private Server, giving you complete control over your VPN infrastructure. You don't have to trust us or anyone else with your traffic.

Lantern never logs your browsing activity, connection history, or any personally identifiable information.

We collect only:

• Email address for account creation and communication
• Device IDs (randomly generated, not tied to your hardware) to maintain service quality and manage Pro accounts
• Limited payment info (subscription status, not credit card details) processed by trusted third parties (Apple, Google, or Stripe)
• Support messages when you contact us (auto-deleted after 21 days of inactivity)
• Optional diagnostic data when you choose to share crash reports or feedback

We don't track what websites you visit, what you download, or any of your online activity. Usage data is fuzzed to prevent timing correlation. Our Privacy Policy details exactly what we collect and why.

No. Lantern never logs your browsing activity, including the websites you visit or your online activities. Our no-logs policy means we don't track, store, or monitor your internet activity.

When you use Lantern, your traffic passes through our servers or your own Private Server if you choose, but we don't record where it goes or what you access. This commitment to privacy is built into our code, which is open source and independently audited.