Using Amnezia Services on iOS in Russia
Overview
Currently, the latest version of the AmneziaVPN app available in the App Store is 4.8.5.0.
This is not the latest version of AmneziaVPN (on other platforms, 4.8.9.2 is already available), currently the updated app is under review in the App Store.
The AmneziaVPN 4.8.9.2 update includes the latest version of the AmneziaWG 1.5 protocol and adds support for the XRay VLESS Reality protocol.
Learn more about how the new protocols work:
In the Russian App Store you won't be able to download the latest version AmneziaVPN 4.8.5.0, so we've prepared instructions that will help you install the AmneziaVPN app on iOS by changing your App Store region or creating a new Apple account in another region.
On iOS devices, we recommend using DefaultVPN — this is our alternative app, which is available in the Russian App Store.
Ways to Use the AmneziaVPN and DefaultVPN Apps
Amnezia Free
Option 1: Creating a Connection in the AmneziaVPN App
Make sure you are not connected to a VPN and open the AmneziaVPN app from within Russia.
- Open the AmneziaVPN app.
- Tap Let's get started or ➕ (plus) icon if you already have other connections.
- Select VPN by Amnezia and wait for it to load.
- Choose Amnezia Free RU and tap Connect.
Your Amnezia Free connection is now created — ready to connect.
Option 2: Connecting with a Key in the AmneziaVPN and DefaultVPN Apps
To get a key, open our TG-bot:
- Tap Start button in the chat. The bot will immediately reply with a vpn:// key for connection.
- Tap key to copy it to the clipboard.
- Open the AmneziaVPN or DefaultVPN app and tap ➕ (plus) icon, or tap Let's get started in AmneziaVPN if you haven’t added any connections yet.
- Tap Insert next to the key field → Continue/Add → Connect.
Your Amnezia Free RU connection is now created — ready to connect.
FAQ for Connecting via Amnezia Free
VPN fails to connect, or connects but no traffic (blocked resources/apps won't open)
First, try resetting the API configuration:
- On the main screen of the AmneziaVPN or DefaultVPN, tap "▾" (arrow next to the Amnezia Free connection experiencing issues).
- On the next screen, tap Reload API config, then Continue.
This reset won't "break" your connection—it just retrieves updated VPN server parameters.
If the issue persists, contact us via TG-chat or email support@amnezia.org.
Amnezia Premium
If you don't yet have an Amnezia Premium subscription, detailed information is available on our website:
After purchasing a Premium subscription, you'll receive an email with a connection key at the address you provided during payment.
If you didn't receive the email or lost your connection key, contact us via TG-chat or email support@amnezia.org.
To connect to Amnezia Premium:
- Open the order confirmation email you received after purchasing the Premium subscription and copy the vpn:// key.
- Open the AmneziaVPN or DefaultVPN app and tap ➕ (plus) icon, or tap Let's get started in AmneziaVPN if you haven’t added any connections yet.
- Tap Insert next to the key field → Continue/Add → Connect.
Your Amnezia Premium connection is now created — ready to connect.
If you encounter an error, verify you've fully copied the key.
FAQ for Connecting via Amnezia Premium
VPN fails to connect, or connects but no traffic (blocked resources/apps won't open)
First, try resetting the API configuration:
- On the main screen of the AmneziaVPN or DefaultVPN tap "▾" (arrow next to the Amnezia Premium connection).
- Tap ⚙️ (gear) or 📝 (pencil) icon in the top-right corner.
- Tap Reload API config, then Continue.
This reset won't "break" your connection—it just retrieves updated VPN server parameters.
If the issue persists, contact us via TG-chat or email support@amnezia.org.
Managing Your Subscription
The AmneziaVPN app has the same subscription management features as your personal account:
- create and download Configuration Files;
- view Active Connections and Active Devices;
- disconnect Active Devices;
- view subscription expiration date.
To manage your subscription:
- Open AmneziaVPN and tap "▾" (arrow) next to the location name.
- Tap ⚙️ (gear) icon in the top-right corner.
Self-hosted VPN
You can connect to a VPN via your own server using the AmneziaWG 1.0 protocol in the AmneziaVPN app.
If you want to install AmneziaWG 1.5 on your server and only have an iOS device, you currently won't be able to manage this server. Please keep an eye out for the AmneziaVPN app update — in version 4.8.8.3, , which is currently under review in the App Store, we have added support for AmneziaWG 1.5.
For self-hosted VPN setup via AmneziaVPN, check our instructions:
AmneziaVPN Settings Menu
To access AmneziaVPN settings, tap ⚙️ (gear) icon on the main screen:
- Servers: manage existing connections like Amnezia Free or Amnezia Premium.
- Connection: DNS and split-tunneling settings.
- Application: change app language or enable logging (useful for troubleshooting when contacting support).
- Backup: create or restore backups, e.g., for transferring to a new device.
- About AmneziaVPN: our contacts, app version, privacy policy.
DefaultVPN
After the AmneziaVPN app was blocked in the Russian App Store, we created a new application — DefaultVPN.
Installing DefaultVPN doesn't require additional steps, simply download it from the App Store of any region.
The functionality of DefaultVPN differs significantly from AmneziaVPN: it doesn't include split tunneling, subscription management, or self-hosted server options. However, DefaultVPN already supports the VLESS protocol and our updated AmneziaWG 1.5 protocol, which are better at bypassing restrictions.
DefaultVPN Connection Protocols: AmneziaWG 1.5 and XRay VLESS Reality
By default, VPN connections use our updated AmneziaWG 1.5 protocol. In most cases, this is sufficient to bypass blocks.
To stay ahead of blocks, we've also added XRay VLESS Reality support to DefaultVPN.
Learn more about how the new protocols work:
How to connect to VPN via the VLESS protocol in the DefaultVPN app:
- Disconnect from VPN.
- Tap "▾" (arrow next to your Amnezia Premium connection).
- On the next screen, tap 📝 (pencil) icon to the right of Amnezia Premium.
- Enable VLESS by toggling Use VLESS protocol.
- Return to the main screen and tap Connect.
