Which VPN App Shows the Key Icon on Android?

When you see a small key icon in your Android status bar, it means a VPN is active. If you have more than one VPN app installed, it can be tricky to tell which one is responsible. This guide shows you exactly how to identify the culprit, check your active VPN connections, and take control of your privacy settings.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone or tablet (any recent version, from Android 9 to the latest).
Your device unlocked and access to the Settings app.
No special tools or root access are required.

Step-by-Step

Open your notification shade. Swipe down from the top of your screen once to see your notifications. The key icon is usually shown in the status bar at the very top, but the notification shade will often list the active VPN connection as a persistent notification.
Look for a persistent VPN notification. If a VPN is running, you’ll see a notification that says something like “VPN is running” or “Connected to VPN.” The notification usually includes the name of the app that’s providing the VPN. Tap that notification to open the app and see the connection details.
If no notification appears, check your Quick Settings tiles. Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open the full Quick Settings panel. Look for a tile labeled “VPN.” If you see one, tap it. This will open the VPN settings screen, which lists all VPN apps that have been configured on your device.
Go to Android’s VPN settings directly. Open the Settings app. Tap Network & internet (or Connections on some Samsung devices), then tap VPN. You’ll see a list of all VPN apps that have been set up. The one that is currently active will show a status like “Connected” or have a toggle switch that is turned on.
Check the app’s own status. If you still can’t tell which app is active, open each VPN app you have installed and look for a connection status indicator. Most VPN apps show a green dot, a “Connected” label, or a timer for how long you’ve been connected. The app that shows an active connection is the one causing the key icon.
Use the “Always-on VPN” setting. In the VPN settings screen, tap the gear icon next to each VPN entry. If “Always-on VPN” is enabled, that app will automatically connect and show the key icon whenever you’re online. You can turn this off if you don’t want the VPN to start automatically.

Common Mistakes

Assuming the key icon only appears for VPN apps. The key icon is specifically for VPN connections. However, some work profiles or enterprise apps might also show a similar icon. To be sure, check the VPN settings list.
Forgetting that some VPNs hide their notification. Some VPN apps allow you to hide the persistent notification. If you’ve disabled notifications for a VPN app, you won’t see the “VPN is running” message, but the key icon will still appear. Check the app’s notification settings to re-enable it.
Confusing the key icon with the padlock icon. The padlock icon indicates a secure HTTPS connection to a website, not a VPN. The key icon is the one that specifically indicates a VPN tunnel.
Not checking the VPN settings list. The easiest way to see all configured VPNs is in the Settings app. Many people only look at the notification shade, which can be misleading if notifications are disabled.

Tips

Use the search bar in Settings. In the Settings app, tap the search icon and type “VPN.” This will take you directly to the VPN settings page, saving you time.
Rename your VPN profiles. If you have multiple VPN apps, you can rename them in the VPN settings to make them easier to identify. Tap the gear icon next to a VPN, then tap “Edit” and change the name.
Turn off “Always-on VPN” for apps you rarely use. This prevents them from connecting in the background and showing the key icon unexpectedly.
Check your battery usage. A VPN that’s constantly running will show up in your battery usage stats. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage and see which app is using the most battery. This can help you spot a VPN that’s running in the background.
Use the “Disconnect” button in the VPN app. If you want to stop the VPN immediately, open the app that’s active and tap the disconnect button. This is faster than going through the settings.

Troubleshooting

If you still can’t figure out which app is causing the key icon, try these steps:

Restart your phone. A simple restart can clear any temporary glitches in the VPN connection and force the icon to disappear if the VPN has crashed.
Disable all VPNs one by one. Go to Settings > Network & internet > VPN, and toggle off each VPN one at a time. After each toggle, check if the key icon disappears. This will help you pinpoint the exact app.
Check for a work profile. If your phone has a work profile (often used for corporate email), the VPN might be managed by your employer. Look for a separate VPN entry labeled “Work” in the VPN settings. You may need to contact your IT department to disconnect it.
Clear the VPN app’s cache. If a VPN app is stuck, go to Settings > Apps, find the VPN app, tap “Storage,” and then “Clear Cache.” This won’t disconnect your VPN, but it can fix a stuck notification.
Uninstall suspicious VPN apps. If you have a VPN app you don’t recognize or no longer use, uninstall it. This will remove its VPN profile and ensure it can’t activate the key icon.

Frequently Asked Questions