- Google’s Pixel VPN updates its Quick Settings tile to improve usability
- Users no longer need to open the VPN interface to check connection status
- Update makes Google’s free VPN more convenient for everyday protection
Google is rolling out a small but useful upgrade to the Pixel’s native VPN by Google. The update makes it easier to see your connection status at a glance, improving the VPN’s Quick Settings tile and making the app more convenient for everyday use.
Rather than introducing new security features, the update focuses solely on usability. Pixel users can now check if the VPN is connected, paused, or having connection issues directly from the Quick Settings panel, without needing to open the full app interface.
The update applies to supported devices starting with Pixel 7 and newer. It’s rolling out with Google VPN version 2025.12.19.x, along with a server-side switch that enables the new feature.
What’s new in the Quick Settings tile
Before the update, the larger 2×1 Quick Settings tile for Pixel VPN wasn’t particularly informative.
As 9to5Google reports, it showed “VPN by Google” twice and the only indication of your connection status was a color change: filled when active and lighter when disconnected. To see the exact status, you had to long-press the tile to open the full VPN interface.
With this update, the second line of the 2×1 tile now displays the VPN’s live connection status: “Connected”, “Paused”, “Connecting…” or “Unable to connect”.
The shape and color of the tile also adjusts accordingly, changing from a filled rounded rectangle when the VPN is active to a lighter pill shape when it’s paused. The smaller 1×1 tile still doesn’t show status, but a long press on either version of the tile still opens the full VPN interface.
How to use the new feature
If you have not yet activated Pixel VPN by Google, you can configure it by going to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > VPN by Google and accepting the conditions. Once active, the VPN tile will appear in your Quick Settings panel.
To get the most out of the new status feature, swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the pencil icon (edit). From here, drag the VPN tile into position and expand it to the larger 2×1 size – this is necessary to view the live connection status.
With just a glance, you can now see if your VPN is connected, paused, or struggling. This speeds up troubleshooting, improves your visibility on public Wi-Fi networks, and reduces the number of clicks needed to confirm your connection.
Why it matters for Pixel users
Pixel VPN has replaced Google One VPN and is now available for free on supported Pixel devices, making it one of the easiest ways to enable built-in online protection. Its simplicity is a key part of its appeal. However, before this update, checking its status was not very intuitive.
By improving its usability and making connection status more visible, Google has increased the chances that users will keep the VPN enabled. This also makes things clearer and avoids confusion if connections fail.
Despite this, Google’s VPN remains a fairly basic app compared to the dedicated services featured in our guides to the best VPN for Android and the best free VPN options.
The update is not a feature overhaul; it’s an adjustment to its ease of use. But clearer visibility means more everyday use of the VPN, and it shows that Google intends to refine the Pixel VPN experience.
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