Google One announced that they will be shutting down their VPN feature in the coming months, stating that not enough users were utilizing the service. Initially launched in October 2020, the VPN was offered as an added layer of protection for Android devices, providing peace of mind for users regarding the safety of their data. Despite having a third-party audit and open-sourcing client APIs, Google found that the VPN feature was not meeting the demand as other features within Google One.
The VPN by Google One was available on both Android and iOS platforms, with Mac and Windows clients also accessible. Originally, users needed a Premium plan that cost $9.99 per month, but the price was later reduced to $1.99 per month in March 2023. With the decision to discontinue the VPN feature, Google plans to refocus and support more popular features within Google One to cater to the needs of their users, leading them to explore other growth areas driven by AI technology. Existing users will be directed to explore alternative third-party VPN services as an option.
Although the VPN feature will be discontinued, the free Pixel VPN introduced with the Pixel 7 series in 2022 will remain available for five years, ensuring users have access to secure browsing. Additionally, an upgrade to the VPN service introduced with the Pixel 8 will be extended to older Pixel models in June, providing a built-in VPN service that eliminates the need for a persistent notification. Despite the discontinuation of the Google One VPN, users can still access VPN services through Google Fi as that feature will remain unchanged.
