Updated on: June 28, 2024
Google has officially discontinued its Google One VPN service earlier this week after a decision driven by low usage and a shift to prioritize “more in-demand features.”
“We’re refocusing our efforts to support more in-demand features with Google One. To keep our subscription service fresh, we’re discontinuing the VPN feature, as we found people simply weren’t using it,” a spokesperson for the company said back in April when it announced the decision.
If you’re one of the very few people that used the VPN service, there’s nothing to do on your end except delete the app from your device on Mac, Windows, or Android. Chromebook users don’t need to delete or uninstall anything — when you click on “Add Google One …” in your Network settings, you’ll be redirected to a page with a banner that reads “VPN by Google is no longer available.”
This decision is disappointing as it removes a useful feature for Google One subscribers who valued the added privacy protection. But there are still many alternatives available, though choosing one will require an additional subscription, unlike Google One’s VPN, which was included at no extra cost. If you’re in the market for a good VPN, you can check out our list of the best VPNs on the market.
Other Google One features remain unaffected. Google One, which was launched in 2018, is a subscription plan offering various features across several tiers. The basic levels provide cloud storage, dark web monitoring, and Google Photos editing tools, including, until recently, the VPN. The higher tiers also include 10% back in the Google Store, Google Workspace premium features, and Gemini Advanced in Gmail and Docs.
It’s worth noting that despite the removal of its VPN, Google has not changed its pricing.