On my iPhone 15 with iOS 18.0.1, the VPN Status icon shows on when the VPN is off!

There is a VPN client built into iOS, however the root of your problem is the VPN app or profile you previously installed.

At the very least, you need to reset the network settings on your phone. Worst case, you need to factory reset it and set it back up as a new device.

markfromlandolakes wrote:

Only the iOS version changed, then the problem started. It doesn’t happen all the time it’s only happened twice so far. Reboot the phone and it doesn’t happen again for a week or two. VPN is in settings. It’s a capability of the iPhone’s OS. It’s not a kernel extension. Turning off the VPN in settings should turn off the icon, but sometimes it doesn’t do that. That’s not part of an app that’s part of the OS.

[Edited by Moderator]

I would agree that removing the VPN and the associated profile should fix your issue. Even though you don't seem to appreciate my help, I'm going to continue trying to help you. Please remember we are users here, not Apple Support.

What Apple will recommend is for you to backup your iPhone, then restore your phone from backup. Preferrably using your computer with iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac). This will install a clean and new iOS version, which hopefully, won't contain any traces of the VPN you've now removed.

Or if you'd rather I not continue to try to help you, I'd recommend you deal with this issue directly with Apple. If you're in the US, you can call Apple at: 800-MY-APPLE or visit your closest Apple Store Genius Bar.

See this link about the restore process using a computer --> Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

Follow the process for restoring from a backup you made using your computer.

Unless your employer or school requires you to have a VPN on your iPhone, do yourself and remove it completely. They provide absolutely NO benefit on iPhone and often cause more issues than they supposedly solve. Of course, if you're OK with the VPN provider knowing everything you do on your iPhone and with them selling your information, then sure, keep it. But the best thing you can do if you aren't required to have a VPN is to delete the VPN profile completely.

Actually, removing the VPN from your iPhone, which is totally unnecessary would solve your problem.

What did your VPN provider (since its not an Apple owned product, to begin with) say when you contacted them for help with their product?

I will happily remove myself from your thread.

There is NO builtin VPN on ANY iPhone from Apple. Whatever VPN you installed has an issue and if you removed it, including the VPN Profile and it is still showing as on, it's something you'll need to take up with the VPN provider. Because again, Apple doesn't build a VPN into iPhone and never has.

Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Look for your VPN tool and make sure you remove the profile there.

Contact the VPN provider for support.