How to Help Someone in Iran get VPN Access

This guide is set up into two parts:

• Part 1 is written for the person who has free access to internet already (such as in the USA) and wants to purchase a VPN account
• Part 2 is for the friend or family member in Iran who you want to share this VPN account with.

Part 1: You are in a country with free internet, and want to help purchase a VPN account.

a. Register for a brand new Proton Mail email account

First you are going to want to register a new email account which will be used to register the VPN account.

• We recommend signing up for a free Proton Mail account.
• Choose a username that does not reveal your identity or the person who you will be sharing the account with.
• Make up a new password that you have never used for any other account or service. (You are going to be sharing this password with your friend in Iran).

You will be asked to set up a Display Name for the account. There is no need to put any real details on your name here.

When you are asked to put in a recovery phone number and email you should skip this step. Select "Maybe later" and then "Confirm" the next window.

Now you have a fresh email address ready to use that you can use in the next step.

b. Sign up for an ExpressVPN account using this new email address

Go to the ExpressVPN order page and select the plan for one month of service. When you sign up for monthly service you are going to be automatically billed every month. (The Iranian goverment regularly blocks VPN providers, so paying for one year is not recommended.)

Scroll down and enter your new Proton Mail email address that you just created and then select a payment method.

Once you have confirmed the payment you will get a password generated. Save this password or create a new password. Make sure to save the password before advancing to the next screen.

You will now advance to a screen which has an activation code. Save this activation code so you can send it to your Friend in Iran.

c. Use a Secret Chat on Telegram to share the email and ExpressVPN account details with your Friend in Iran.

Now that you have signed up for the ExpressVPN account, you are ready to share access with your friends or family in Iran. This ExpressVPN account can be used on up to 5 devices (for example, 3 phones and 2 computers).

• Send a text message, ideally using Telegram. Telegram is recommended as it allows you to have privacy with secret chats and also allows to to send files (which will be important for this set up process to work). But don't send a regular Telegram message. Instead, find the New Message icon, then create a New Secret Chat with your Friend in Iran.
  
  
• In your secret chat, click on the clock icon and select 1 week. This means your messages will only appear for one week. This is important for protecting your privacy (since you are helping your friend circumvent the Iranian government)
  
  
  • In your message, send them:
    • Proton Mail Email Address:
    • Proton Mail Password:
    • ExpressVPN Email: (Same as Proton mail)
    • ExpressVPN password:
    • ExpressVPN (Desktop) Activation Code:
  • Include a link to this guide. Tell them to start following the steps in Part 2.

Note: For more help and information on Secret Chats, read the Telegram FAQ.

d. Help download VPN application files

Ask them what operating system they use for mobile and desktop so you can help them download the application files (they won't be able to do this since the page will be blocked for them).

• You should navigate to this ExpressVPN Downloads page, where you will be able to help download the files for their operating systems.
• For Android, make sure to download the APK file.
• Please note that you will not be able to download or send a file if they have mobile iOS. (They will have to follow Part 2: c. Mobile Setup - iOS of the guide)

e. Send the application files via Telegram

Now that you have downloaded the correct application files, you can send them on Telegram to your Friend in Iran. Use the same secret chat message.

• Secret Chats on Telegram are device specific. Ask them which device they opened up the original secret chat in (Mobile or Desktop) and send the appropriate file.
• There is a paper clip icon next to "write a message". Click that icon, then select "File". Find the files on your computer (typically Downloads folder) and select them, then send the message.

• If you are sending them two application files, one for Desktop and another for Mobile (Android), you will have to create a New Secret Chat with them, that they have to open on the 2nd device where they want to install ExpressVPN. Then you can send the second file in this new message, so they can download it on the proper device.

f. Remain on stand-by for potential two-factor email authorization help

Once they log in to the ExpressVPN account it is possible that it may require two-factor email authorization, which means that a confirmation email is going to be sent to the Proton Mail email address.

Since they won't be able to access Proton Mail without already being connected to the VPN, it is possible you will have to help them with checking the Proton Mail email to assist with the email authorization.

Note: This does not always seem to happen, but it is something to be aware of. (In the future, as soon as they have one account already set up with the VPN in Iran and consistentely connected, they will be able to access Proton Mail and do the email authorization.)

Part 2: You are in Iran and want to get setup with an ExpressVPN account that your Friend with Internet has purchased you

• You are going to have to use Telegram to receive information from your Friend with Internet who is helping you get set up with a VPN account.
• They are going to send you information using the Secret Chat feature on Telegram.
  • Secret Chats are device specific. This means if you initially open a secret chat on mobile, you will only see those messages on mobile.
  • To receive the VPN application for both mobile (Android) and desktop, you will need to use two different secret chat messages.
  • For more help and information on Secret Chats, read the Telegram FAQ
• Make sure to save the email account, password, activation code somewhere you will be able to access outside of Telgram.
• You should send your Friend with Internet who purchased you the ExpressVPN the type of phone operating system you have (Android or iOS) and also your desktop operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). They will send you the appropriate applications via Telegram.

a. Desktop Setup

1. Once you have downloaded the application on your computer, find the file on your computer (check your Downloads folder) and install the application.

2. Once the application is installed, you should open it up. It will ask you to enter an activation code. Enter the ExpressVPN Activation Code that was shared with you and then click "Sign In".
   

   

3. On the next screen it will ask you in you want to automatically launch the application on startup. Choose "OK".
   

   

4. On the next screen it will ask if you want to help send crash reports to ExpressVPN. Choose "No Thanks".
   

   

5. Now you can start using the application. Choose a location outside of Iran that has free access to internet and then click the big circular icon to become connected. You should now be able to browse the internet more freely.

   
   

b. Mobile Setup - Android

1. Receive the applicaiton APK file from your Friend with Internet

   • Your friend with internet should have ideally sent you the Android APK file via Telegram.
   • How to install APK file:
     • Open your Android device's file explorer app
     • Locate your APK file in your file explorer app and select it.
     • The APK installer menu will appear—tap Install.
     • Allow time for the app to install.
     • Tap Done or Open once the installation is complete.

2. Once you install the app on your phone, you will sign in using the Email Address and ExpressVPN Password. (Note: mobile does not use the Activation Code, that is only for Desktop)

   • Note: The rest of the screens in this process will look similar to the Desktop setup process.

c. Mobile Setup - iOS / iPhone

1. Getting access to the App Store
   • For iOS / iPhone setup, there is a challenge related to installing the application since the Friend with Internet cannot send you a download file.
   • The easiest pathway is that ideally you have another friend in Iran that has an Android phone connected to ExpressVPN or some other VPN, who can share you their protected internet access.
   • Alternatively, if you already have your Desktop connected to a VPN you can share your internet connection with your phone (Follow this guide here)
   • If neither of these is a possibility, you can advance to the next Troubleshooting step)
2. Once you have some form of temporary VPN protected internet access on your phone, then you can access the App Store and search for ExpressVPN or access this link from your mobile phone. Install the application.
3. Once you install the app on your phone, you will sign in using the Email Address and ExpressVPN password. (Note: mobile does not use the Activation Code, that is only for Desktop)
   • Note: The rest of the screens in this process will look similar to the Desktop setup process.

d. Troubleshooting: Purchase a VPN account at a local phone store in Iran

While outside the purpose of this guide, it is possible to get set up with VPN access by going to a phone store in Iran and purchasing an account locally. This may be useful especially if you are having trouble with the iOS/iPhone setup.

You can purchase a VPN account with a short term contract, so you can initially get connected to the internet, then perhaps follow the other steps in this guide to get setup with a VPN account that your Friend with Internet wants to provide you with.

e. Additional Guidance

Once you are connected to the internet with your VPN, it will be good to download and install additional VPN or (VPN-like) applications which can be used as a backup in case ExpressVPN ever stops working and becomes blocked by the government. These back up apps should be downloaded and installed on both your mobile phone and desktop.

• Mullvad is an additional VPN provider. It requires a paid account to work. There is no need to sign up for an account or use them immediatley. What is more important is to download/install the app on your devides.
  • Once it's necessary to start using an alternate VPN account like Mullvad, you can pay for an account in crypto or reach out to your Friend with Internet to help you get setup.
• Tor is an alternative to a VPN. It is free, yet quite slow. Tor will always be a great backup to use as it's more difficult to censor than VPNs. (This link includes detailed instructions in English and Farsi)