This is basically a super cookie. It monitors the websites you visit, the time you use your device, the location you are at, and the apps you install/use. A normal Internet connection works like so: Your computer -> destination (ISP provides entire route, ISP can see everything) A VPN on a computer works something like this: Your computer -> VPN provider -> your traffic. (Because your entire Internet connection goes to VPN, your ISP only sees ISP -> VPN, not your traffic) A phone uses multiple streams of data for multiple forms of handshake (voice, data, etc). Carrier services communicate significantly more telemetry data (data is the new oil, and they sell your shit constantly + government demands spying backdoors). Ostensibly, a VPN on your phone may obfuscate SOME traffic (third party browsers), but anything driven by an app will still be visible to the wireless carrier. TL:DR: Someone else correct me if I'm wrong, but a VPN is pointless on a phone unless it's rooted.