# Install and connect VilaNet on Android This guide takes you from the official download to a working first connection. VilaNet requires Android 7.0 or later. Google Play is the recommended install method; an official APK is available as a fallback. > This guide has been checked against VilaNet 2.12.82 and the current shared > app interface. It is review-ready, but its screenshots and complete flow have > not yet been verified on a physical Android device. ## Before you start You need: - a phone or tablet running Android 7.0 or later; - a working internet connection; and - your VilaVPN account email address and password. If you do not have an active VilaVPN package, sign in to your account on the VilaVPN website to purchase or renew one before trying to connect. ## 1. Download and install VilaNet ### Recommended: Google Play 1. Open the official [VilaNet page on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.viraltech.vilanet). 2. Confirm that the app is **VilaNet**. 3. Select **Install**. 4. Wait for installation to finish, then select **Open**. You can also start from the [official VilaVPN downloads page](https://vilavpn.com/index.php?rp=/download). ### Fallback: official direct APK Use the APK only if Google Play is unavailable. For version 2.12.82, the official file is: - [VilaNet-for-Android-2.12.82.apk](https://github.com/vilavpn/vilanet/releases/download/v2.12.82/VilaNet-for-Android-2.12.82.apk) - SHA-256: `00c7845a74a7796d91eaeaccfa02f27d31086de52c1661f3a80c825d86aeb861` To install it: 1. Download the APK using the link above. 2. If your browser warns that the file type can install apps, continue only after confirming that the URL is on `github.com/vilavpn/vilanet` and the filename exactly matches the one above. 3. Open the downloaded APK. 4. If Android blocks the install, follow the system link to permit this one source to install unknown apps, then return to the APK. 5. Select **Install**, then **Open**. 6. For better security, turn off the browser's **Install unknown apps** permission after VilaNet is installed. Settings names vary among Android manufacturers. Do not disable Play Protect or install an APK with a different filename or checksum. Advanced users can verify the downloaded file with a SHA-256 tool before opening it. ## 2. Sign in 1. Open VilaNet. 2. Review the linked EULA and Privacy Policy. 3. If the agreement checkbox is not selected, select it to open the data-consent message. 4. Review the message. Select **Allow** if you agree and want to continue. 5. Enter your VilaVPN account email address under **E-mail**. 6. Enter your account password under **Password**. 7. Select **Login**. VilaNet should open the main screen after a successful login. If the account does not have an active package, the app may instead show the appropriate purchase or renewal flow. ## 3. Choose a server 1. Open **Server Nodes**. 2. Choose **Auto Select** for your first connection. It lets VilaNet select an available server automatically. 3. If you need a particular location, choose that server instead. 4. Return to the main screen. Start with **Auto Select** unless a particular website or task requires a specific location. You can change the selection later. ## 4. Allow VPN access and connect 1. Select **Connect** on the main screen. 2. On the first connection, Android should display a system VPN connection request. Read it and approve it if you want VilaNet to create the VPN. 3. Android may separately ask whether VilaNet may send notifications. Review that request. Notification permission is separate from the system VPN connection request. 4. Return to VilaNet if a system dialog takes you away from the app. 5. Wait while the status shows **Connecting**. 6. Continue when VilaNet shows **Connected**. The exact system buttons and wording differ by Android version and device manufacturer. VilaNet cannot connect if the VPN connection request is denied. ## 5. Confirm that the connection works Do not rely only on the **Connected** label: 1. Keep VilaNet open for a few seconds and confirm that it remains **Connected**. 2. Open your browser and load two familiar HTTPS websites. 3. Return to VilaNet and confirm that it still shows **Connected**. The connection is working when normal internet traffic loads and VilaNet stays connected. An IP-check website can be a secondary clue, but browser privacy features can affect the address it displays. For the complete check, see [Confirm VilaVPN is working](/en/start-here/confirm-vilavpn-is-working/). ## If something goes wrong ### VilaNet cannot be installed from Google Play - Confirm that the device is running Android 7.0 or later. - Confirm that there is enough free storage and that Google Play downloads work. - Open the Google Play link above again instead of using an old bookmark. - If Google Play remains unavailable, use the exact official APK and checksum listed above. ### Android says App not installed for the APK - Remove any incomplete download and download the file again from the exact official URL above. - Confirm that the filename and SHA-256 match. - If a differently signed VilaNet build is already installed, preserve any useful diagnostics and account details before uninstalling it. Android will not replace an app signed by a different publisher key. - Prefer Google Play when it is available. ### Login fails - Check that the complete email address is entered under **E-mail** with no extra spaces. - Re-enter the password carefully. - Confirm that the account can sign in on the VilaVPN website and has an active package. - Preserve the exact error message before reinstalling. Never send your password to support. - See [Cannot sign in](/en/troubleshooting/cannot-sign-in/). ### The VPN permission was denied Select **Connect** again and approve the system request if it reappears. If it does not return, open Android's VPN settings and check whether a VilaNet VPN entry exists. Settings paths differ by manufacturer; record what you find before deleting or reinstalling anything. ### VilaNet stays on Connecting or disconnects - Confirm that the device reaches the internet while VilaNet is disconnected. - Try **Auto Select** once. - Record the selected server and first visible error. - Check whether Android battery or background restrictions are stopping VilaNet, especially if it disconnects only after the screen is locked. - Preserve diagnostics before reinstalling or changing advanced settings. - See [Cannot connect](/en/troubleshooting/cannot-connect/). ### VilaNet says Connected but websites do not load Disconnect once, confirm the ordinary internet connection works, and try **Auto Select**. Then follow [Connected but no internet](/en/troubleshooting/connected-but-no-internet/). ## Next steps - Learn when to use [automatic selection](/en/common-tasks/automatic-selection/). - Follow the [first-connection overview](/en/start-here/first-connection/) on another VilaNet platform. - If the problem continues, collect the exact error and follow [Contact support](/en/troubleshooting/contact-support/).