Table of Contents
Highlights
- The Pixel VPN Quick Settings update now shows real-time Connected, Paused, Connecting, and Can’t Connect statuses directly on the tile.
- The VPN by Google status tile improves privacy visibility and security awareness without opening the settings menu.
- The server-side Pixel VPN rollout delivers enhanced Quick Settings functionality without requiring an app update.
With the built-in VPN provided within Pixels, it was possible for any user (while using open or untrusted networks) to have some type of privacy; however, before the rollout, there wasn’t a real-time visual representation of connection status.
A VPN may not have appeared to be working if the Quick Settings tile was not visible, and you could not see the status until you went into settings. Google has added the status of your VPN directly to the Quick Settings tile; there are four different active statuses:
Connected:
The Quick Settings tile is filled, meaning the network is currently protected.
Paused:
The VPN is currently turned off, but it could connect at a later time.
Connecting:
This is displayed when the VPN is in the process of connecting to the Internet.
Can’t connect:
This notification alerts you that the service cannot be reached and, therefore, cannot connect to the Internet.
Why This Update Matters for Privacy and Security
Before, the status messages were only visible in the fully expanded Pixel VPN interface. With the addition of the VPN Status tile to the Quick Settings, users can track the status of their VPN connection without having to go through the VPN interface. We believe this new feature will reduce confusion and provide greater visibility of your ability to protect your connection to a network.
Small but Significantly Helpful Improvements at the Quality of Life Level:
While the addition of status notification tiles to the Quick Settings is not a major feature like adding a feature to select the type of server you will connect to or routing options, we feel that it is an important enhancement to the functionality of one of the core systems of the Pixel and will be a significant benefit to those who use the VPN frequently.
Previously, the Quick Settings tile would repeat the text “Google VPN” for each of the two lines and was not useful for providing the user with any additional information.
Now, the new tile gives a clearer label so users: If your phone is protected on public WiFi, is the VPN stuck or offline?
Hasn’t connected yet
This new behavior not only makes things more user-friendly but also improves security awareness. The “Connected” status tells the user their data is encrypted, driving home the danger that “Unable To Connect” presents – that their data may not be protected.
The change is being rolled out. How & When to Expect:
The slashes between their names make use of a more open-source, colloquial, and regular-enforcement tag that is presented as light-speed broadband and wireless bursts.
Implications:
- New tile behavior may be seen without updating the app
- The rollout will be staggered; some users will get it before others.
- Not every Pixel device will get an update at once.
The updated tile works best with a larger 2×1 size; 1×1 only allows toggling without showing a label.
If the user has not yet added the VPN tile, the user can add it by opening Quick Settings, tapping Pencil, and dragging the Google VPN tile to add it.
This change is part of Google’s efforts to provide its users with at least two different VPN services, thereby giving them a choice of VPNs that suit their own personal preferences. In doing so, Google provided Pixel 7 and later models with an updated version of the Google One VPN called “VPN by Google.” This replaces and completely replaces the Google One VPN that was originally featured as part of the telephone plans available to customers who purchased their phones through carriers and tele-commerce.
Google will also have redesigned the Google VPN to be able to look like Material You and provide improved performance and better connection indicators via the Quick Settings tile.
Summary – A Small Change with a Big Daily Impact
At first glance, the Quick Settings update represents a small update to the Pixel VPN service.
The reality is this update makes the app much easier and useful by showing important connection information(s) at the moment and time when users need to see it most. With our world today, with respect to digital privacy and security, this is an extremely valuable development.
The Pixel VPN Quick Settings update makes it easier for the end-user to see their VPN connection status with fewer taps, thus making the built-in Pixel VPN more visible and easier to use overall.
While a significant upgrade in how to customize VPN servers, the Quick Settings update provides another practical enhancement to improve the overall user experience of using your phone.
