These ExpressVPN updates make it easier than ever to monitor your iPhone VPN connection

ExpressVPN is on a spree to make your app experience more convenient. After rolling out widgets for iOS users, along with Siri voice commands and several automations, the provider has now introduced two new features – Network Insights (exclusive to iOS) and Secure Device Assistant.

With these new additions, ExpressVPN has further strengthened its position as one of the best mobile VPN apps.

Its simple, easy-to-use UI, proven security features, comprehensive unblocking capabilities, and most recently, new pricing tiers, mean that rivals now have to punch above their weight to challenge ExpressVPN.

Network Insights for iOS

Built for its iPhone VPN app specifically, the Network Insights feature gives you a one-snapshot view of your connection details – like upload and download speeds, data used, and connection status – all neatly presented on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

This can come in handy if you’re traveling in an area with a buggy network – or if you’re on a network you don’t completely trust. A quick look at the metrics can reveal unusual upload or download activity so you can take appropriate action.

As highlighted in ExpressVPN’s blog post, Network Insights also doubles as an app shortcut when you’re not connected to the VPN. So, if you want to establish a new connection, you don’t need to open the iPhone VPN app and dig around – just tap Network Insights in your notification tray instead, and it’ll launch the app.

In an earlier update, ExpressVPN made it possible for iOS users to connect to a server by simply saying, “Hey Siri, connect to ExpressVPN.” You can now also set up various shortcuts, like automatically connecting to the VPN when you’re on public Wi-Fi.

It’s worth noting that Network Insights complements these features, making your iOS experience more “app-free.” You can do a lot more with ExpressVPN without actually launching the app, giving you a more hands-off, quick experience.

Secure Device Assistant

The Secure Device Assistant feature is available for both Android VPN and iOS users. It checks whether your OS is up to date and ensures that all key privacy settings on your device are enabled.

It also highlights settings, pending updates, or features that could strengthen your overall security posture. This not only removes guesswork but also reduces the burden of manual security checks.

Most security incidents happen simply because users fail to follow basic security measures. For instance, your provider might have released a new OS version with important security fixes that you haven’t yet installed, or you may not have updated your ExpressVPN app to the latest version.

Secure Device Assistant identifies such lapses and notifies you so you can take action before it’s too late. This proactive approach helps you cover your security bases well in advance.