This is when Google Pixel 7 users get their free Android phone VPN upgrade

Google officially confirms when Google Pixel 7 phone owners will get access to VPN by Google One

Google Pixel 7 Android phone held by a man browsing vinyl records in a store
(Image credit: Google)

One of the most interesting announcements during the launch of the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro was that anyone who bought either of the firm's new best Android phones would get a VPN at "no extra cost".

Precise timing on when Pixel 7 owners would get access to this VPN was not forthcoming during the event, though. However, as of today, that has changed, with Google officially confirming when the elite freebie is dropping.

As reported by 9to5Google, Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro users "can access VPN by Google One at no extra cost on those devices through the Google One app without a Google One subscription in December of 2022."

So, there you go, the free VPN is unlocked in December 2022.

For those not in the loop with VPNs, a VPN (which stands for 'virtual private network', is a tool that helps people stay secure online, enhancing privacy by encrypting all internet traffic from the user. This means that third parties, such as their internet service provider, bots, advertisers and more cannot spy on them.

T3 reviews and rates all the best VPN on the market today, and we recommend them highly to anyone who takes their online privacy seriously. The thing is, though, good VPNs cost money, so the fact that Google is giving Pixel 7 users VPN access for free is a really nice bonus. Google is showing its customers it is serious about user privacy and offering a really good reason to upgrade to one of its new Android phones.

Want to know what owning a Pixel 7 is like? Then be sure to check out T3's 5 things I wish I knew before buying the Google Pixel 7 feature now.

Robert Jones

Rob has been writing about computing, gaming, mobile, home entertainment technology, toys (specifically Lego and board games), smart home and more for over 15 years. As the editor of PC Gamer, and former Deputy Editor for T3.com, you can find Rob's work in magazines, bookazines and online, as well as on podcasts and videos, too. Outside of his work Rob is passionate about motorbikes, skiing/snowboarding and team sports, with football and cricket his two favourites.