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Setting Up a VPN on Your iPhone Is Easy. Here’s How

by admin September 29, 2025

There are several reasons why you might want to use a VPN on your iPhone. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that creates a secure connection over the internet between your device — in this case, your iPhone — and a remote server, to hide your public IP address. VPNs scramble your internet traffic, making it difficult for third parties — like companies or internet service providers — to connect your online activity back to you.

With a VPN enabled, your ISP can’t tell what apps you use or websites you visit, and by the same merit, apps and websites can’t view information about your ISP. If you’re connected to a public W-Fi network, a VPN adds an extra layer of privacy, so your browsing history is masked from that hotspot’s ISP.

In addition to privacy benefits, VPN can also be used for entertainment purposes and travel, like accessing geo-restricted content. If you live in the US but are traveling in another country, you can use a VPN to make it seem like you’re still at home, allowing you to access the American version of Netflix, for example, which typically isn’t available in other countries. On mobile devices specifically, a VPN may be able to help you stream videos in better quality while on a cellular signal by avoiding traffic shaping.

If you’re concerned about privacy, want access to region-locked content, are traveling abroad or want to avoid mobile data throttling, a VPN is worth having on your iPhone. Here’s what to know about choosing one and how to set it up.

Here’s how to use a VPN on your iPhone easily and quickly

Downloading a VPN app, creating an account, choosing a plan and connecting to your VPN shouldn’t take longer than a minute or so.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

Installing a VPN app on your iPhone is pretty simple — like most other iOS apps, you’ll simply download one from the App Store. Here’s how to install a VPN on your iPhone:

First, go to the App Store.
Then, tap in the Search bar at the top, enter the name of the VPN app you intend to use then tap the name in the results list or tap search on your on-screen keyboard.
Tap Get next to the VPN provider’s name to download it on your iPhone.
Next, open the VPN application.
Sign in if you already have an account. If you don’t have an account, create one and sign up for a plan. Browse through the various plans to see if there’s an option that can save you money, especially if you intend to use the VPN for longer than a few months. You should also keep your eye out for any free trials.
Finally, choose a location from the server list and connect to the VPN server.
The first time you attempt to connect to a VPN server, you’ll be asked to install a new VPN profile on your iPhone. The pop-up screen you see in the middle screenshot below, or something similar to it, should appear. To install the VPN profile, tap Allow and enter your passcode and that should be it.

You should then be connected to a VPN server. Browse through your VPN app and play around with the various settings available. If you want to protect your other devices (your tablet, computer, streaming device and so on), most VPNs allow for multiple simultaneous connections.

If you want easy access to your VPN, you don’t have to go into the VPN app to quickly toggle it off and on. Instead, you can go to Settings > VPN to disconnect and connect to the last VPN server you were connected to.

There’s also a way to manually set up your VPN if needed…

If your employer, school or a self-hosted server has given you connection details, like a server address and a login or certificate, you can add a VPN directly to your iPhone without installing any apps. Here’s how:

Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN > Add VPN Configuration.
Choose the IKEv2 VPN protocol (which is the most common for iOS). IPSec and L2TP still exist, but many providers now prefer IKEv2 for faster reconnects and reliability.
Enter the description, server, remote ID and, if desired, a local ID.
Input the authentication details using either your username/password or a certificate exactly as provided.
Hit the blue check mark (iOS 26) or the Done button (earlier iOS versions) in the top right and then toggle the VPN on in the same menu. You can also toggle it on/off from the main Settings menu or from the Control Center.

There’s also an option to sign in to your work or school account via an email address in your settings, if IT allows you to access your VPN this way.

Which VPN should you use on your iPhone?

Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPN options available for iOS.

Sarah Tew/CNET

There are a bunch of VPN options out there, both free and paid, and your decision basically comes down to two things: what you need from your VPN and how much you’re willing to pay. Here are the best iPhone VPNs on the market.

ExpressVPN is CNET’s Editors’ Choice winner for best overall VPN for 2025. At $13 a month, $75 for the first 15 months or $98 total for the first 28 months (the one- and two-year plans renew at $100 a year), it’s one of the more expensive options. But we’ve found ExpressVPN justifies its premium price because it’s fast, reliable and simple to use. It may not have as many advanced privacy features as other VPN rivals, but it provides the privacy essentials, like a kill switch (which cuts off your internet if your VPN unexpectedly disconnects), split tunneling (to use a VPN connection for some apps but not others) and an audited no-logs policy (to back up its zero-log claims). ExpressVPN is a great option for accessing geo-blocked streaming content while you’re traveling, because it’s so fast and excels at bypassing regional restrictions.

NordVPN is the fastest VPN for iOS. At $13 a month, $60 for the first year or $83 total for the first two years, NordVPN’s one- and two-year plans are initially cheaper than ExpressVPN. But the company’s $140 a year auto-renewal on the one- and two-year plans is significantly more expensive than Express’s $100 a year auto-renewal. The app is also simple to use. You can easily choose a location to connect to and also quickly connect to specialty servers, like Onion over VPN or double VPN servers, both of which make it harder to trace your data back to your device (like your iPhone).

Surfshark is the best value VPN for iPhones and, despite its relative affordability, it doesn’t compromise on privacy features. Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark has an intuitive interface, but it’s packed with privacy features, like dynamic multihop connections, an IP rotator and an ad and tracker blocker. While the monthly plan is steep in comparison to most rivals at $15 a month, Surfshark’s $48 for the first year or $60 total for the first two years undercuts many competitors. Even its $79 a year auto-renewal on the one- and two-year plans is cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN’s renewal prices.

Normally, we don’t recommend most free VPNs, for a few reasons: You might get weaker encryption, data caps, slow speeds, data collection, advertisements, limited server options or even malware. The only free VPN we can enthusiastically vouch for is Proton VPN because it doesn’t track you, blast you with ads or throttle your speeds. Proton VPN’s zero-dollar tier is limited — it doesn’t let you pick a server manually and you can only connect on one device at a time. But Proton’s paid premium plan is a great upgrade path for folks who need more simultaneous connections, a larger server network or additional manual control.

Usually, it’s better to pay if you really need a VPN for privacy protection on your iPhone. Also, most paid VPN options feature a free seven-day trial (as long as you sign up through the App Store) or a money-back guarantee, so there are ways to use paid VPNs without spending any money — but only for a limited time.

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September 29, 2025 0 comments

V shows up to the club with cool sci-fi fits.

Game Reviews

Cyberpunk 2 Multiplayer Could Be A Great Thing But It Won’t Be Easy

by admin September 21, 2025

Asymmetric mercenary leaderboards? Co-op heists? A full-blown GTA Online-style live-service component? The multiplayer possibilities for a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel are easy to imagine, even if they’re hard to implement. A new job posting at CD Projekt Red suggests the studio is at least flirting with some sort of online component for its next sci-fi open-world RPG. It’s a small and noncommittal data point that’s nevertheless part of a larger trend.

“Lead your team to develop and optimize multiplayer systems, including matchmaking, and address challenges related to latency, bandwidth usage, and server performance,” reads part of the job description, first spotted by IGN, for a new engineering role at CDPR’s Boston-based satellite studio leading development on Cyberpunk 2. That ambition gestures toward plans the studio originally had for adding multiplayer to the first game. Plans for that content were later set aside or abandoned as CDPR rushed to prioritize the stability and long-term viability of Cyberpunk 2077 after a disastrous 2020 launch.

Will history repeat itself, or is multiplayer coming to the world of Cyberpunk for real this time? With the big-budget blockbuster still in pre-production as CDPR focuses on The Witcher 4, it’s impossible to say. But it’s clear the Poland-based company has been looking to experiment with multiplayer for some time now. CDPR told investors it was looking to bring “online gameplay” to more of its franchises in a strategy briefing four years ago, and co-CEO Michał Nowakowski told Reuters last year the team was “considering” bringing multiplayer to the next Cyberpunk.

CDPR has also already confirmed at least one multiplayer project: a Witcher spin-off codenamed Project Sirius. That game has been in prolonged development at what used to be called The Molasses Flood, with layoffs, departures, and design pivots reportedly all taking their toll. The studio was officially absorbed into the rest of CDPR earlier this year. “Overall, it shows a very bright future for Project Sirius (aka ‘the multiplayer Witcher game,’ of which I was the Design Director for three years),” Molasses Flood co-founder Damian Isla wrote upon leaving back in March. “It’s going to be an amazing game, one for the books, and I cannot wait until the rest of the world learns about what we’ve been working on.”

One does not simply pivot to making an online multiplayer game any more than one simply walks into Mordor. CDPR’s own struggles with going from the third-person perspective of Witcher 3 to the first-person Cyberpunk 2077 speak to the tech and design difficulties inherent in taking on new development challenges. But it would be cool to see what CDPR can achieve if it takes that next leap. It ultimately worked out in the end for the studio’s last game, even if it took an extra three years after it came out.

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September 21, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Gets Ridiculously Easy Mode on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S

by admin September 19, 2025

After several years of being a PlayStation console exclusive, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is headed to Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2 in early 2026. Depending on how confident you feel, the game can be fairly challenging with its blend of real-time combat and action-RPG elements. But if you’re looking to cruise through each battle and just focus on the story, then you can choose to play the game with the “Streamlined Progression” options enabled.

This makes Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade even easier than the old-school combat mode that slows the action to a crawl with menu-based commands, giving you an extended window to choose your tactics. Streamlined Progression gives you unlimited MP and HP at all times, unlimited limit and ATB gauges during battles, and every attack will deal a whopping 9,999 points of damage.

Additionally, you’ll gain a faster weapon ability charge, and with some exceptions, you’ll always possess the maximum number of items at all times. This mode can be toggled on and off at any given time from the main menu.

Sephiroth won’t be smiling for long.

Square Enix has also revealed several of the preorder bonuses for the launch of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on new platforms. Players who preorder the digital edition will receive the original Final Fantasy 7 game to download and play–this offer expires on January 31, 2026–and if you preorder the physical edition, you’ll get a Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster pack of 15 cards with it.

While it doesn’t have a release date yet, Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will also be headed to Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S in the future. As for the final chapter in the remake trilogy, producer Tetsuya Nomura recently said that Square Enix knows exactly when it will officially reveal the game.

It’ll still be a while before it arrives, but in the meantime, you can scratch your JRPG itch with upcoming games like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and Octopath Traveler 0.

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September 19, 2025 0 comments

Borderlands 4 Legendary Weapons and Items list

Game Reviews

Easy queasy: Borderlands 4 FOV sliders may be coming to console

by admin September 17, 2025

One technical issue the console version of Borderlands 4 is facing is a lack of a customisable field of vision slider, as the game has on PC. Currently the console FOV is low and the zoomed-in perspective is making some players feel sick.

Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford polled console players recently about how strongly they felt about changing this, and three quarters of respondents felt very strongly about it. So, Gearbox appears to be doing something about it.

“We have heard your feedback on FOV (Field of View) sliders on console,” Gearbox announced on the Borderlands 4 X account. “The team is currently exploring how to bring these sliders to both Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 versions. We will continue to read your feedback & prioritise game updates with your experience in mind.”

Borderlands 4 had a popular opening weekend but is facing some backlash on PC for its technical performance there. Randy Pitchford took to X over the weekend to tell players they needed to make some graphical trade-offs if they wanted high frame-rates, and suggested high frame-rates weren’t, in a campaign-based looter shooter like this, the studio’s top priority. “It’s not a competitive FPS,” he said.

Our Borderlands 4 review is currently in the works.

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September 17, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Hollow Knight: Silksong player melts its hardest bosses with an endless fountain of tools: ‘I think I unlocked easy mode’

by admin September 16, 2025

The Strongest Build in SILKSONG [SPOILER FREE] Architect Crest Silkshot Railgun Silksong Build – YouTube

Watch On

I’ll admit, I wasn’t as creative with my build in Hollow Knight: Silksong as I’d like to admit. I found one of the early weapon upgrades and kind of stuck with that for the next 30 hours.

It got the job done, but it was nowhere close to the power of YouTuber Syrobe’s “easy mode” build where you have an endless supply of powerful tools. Before I explain how it works though, you should know that it requires fairly late-game unlocks to put together. I’d wait until you’re several hours into Act 2 before attempting this.

The heart of the build is the Architect Crest which has the unique ability to repair your tools on the fly. Normally, you have to rest at a bench to do that, but this Crest gives you the option to forgo healing yourself to replenish your tools in the middle of combat.

Tools are extremely powerful in Silksong and no other Crest lets you spam them like this one. The only drawback is that you can’t equip any of Hornet’s high-damage skills with it, but the amount of tools you can fling out more than makes up for it.

You can pretty much equip any tools you want, but Syrobe recommends the Tacks, Silkshot, and the Voltvessels. He adds in the Pollip Pouch so every hit applies a poison DoT on enemies and Quick Sling to double the amount of tools you throw at a time.

Nothing in the game can survive you laying traps all over the place and shooting everything down with buckets of laser beams and silk bullets. Bosses run into them and get ripped apart while you sit back and watch. Watching Syrobe tear through waves of enemies in seconds looks like he has cheats on.

He has a separate, spoilery video where he melts the last two bosses in the game in under a minute. Both fights took me much longer because I spent most of them dodging around and hitting the boss with my little sword.

Acquiring all the stuff might take you a while. Syrobe goes into detail on where to track it all down, but here’s a quick list of what you need and where to get it:

Architect Crest – Buy the Architect’s Key and unlock a room in the Underworks
Quick Sling – Found behind a false ceiling in Bilewater
Pollip Pouch – Complete the Rite of the Pollip quest in the Wormways
Tacks – Complete the Roach Guts quest in Sinner’s Road
Silkshot – Bring the Ruined Tool from Bilewater to the top of Mount Fay
Voltvessels – Found in northeastern Memorium

“I think I unlocked easy mode, I don’t know what everyone else is doing,” Syrobe said after humiliating one of the final bosses with a room full of traps. Here he is casually watching a boss get shredded while I remember each and every attempt I made in my own playthrough where I—a fool—chased the boss around with my sword. If only I had known about the devastating power of tools.

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September 16, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

ASRock’s revamped AI Quickset WSL virtualization tool makes it easy to run Linux AI apps on Windows

by admin September 15, 2025

ASRock released a special AI tool a few years back that gave users the ability to easily and quickly deploy AI applications on PCs with supported AMD or Intel GPUs. The board maker has announced its second iteration of the app, known as AI Quickset WSL, that further enhances the tool’s capabilities. Giving users an environment that can easily deploy AI apps made specifically for Linux on Windows machines without dealing with a complicated setup process.

The app takes advantage of Microsoft’s WSL virtual compatibility layer to achieve this. WSL is essentially a GUI-less virtual machine natively supported in the latest versions of Windows that allows users to run Linux apps in Windows through virtualization. AI Quickset WSL is built on AMD’s ROCm platform to provide all the necessary setup configuration to run Linux AI-based apps efficiently on AMD’s RX 7900 series GPUs or newer.

ASRock’s tool is designed to automate all of the complicated parts of running AI applications on Windows. Depending on the method, installing and running AI models on a PC can be tough. You need to account for what hardware you have and what runtime(s) that hardware supports. You might also need to manually tweak the LLM’s optimizations under the hood so it runs well on your hardware, if you’re going with a manual setup.

Belkin Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2: affordable, easy to apply and sure to keep your Switch screen safe

by admin September 7, 2025

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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2: review

The Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector is designed for anyone looking to defend their Nintendo Switch 2 from knocks and scratches.

Made from tempered glass, covered with an anti-reflective surface and treated with an anti-fingerprint coating, it promises to keep your handheld console crack-free, while not diminishing your gameplay experience; a big swing, particularly given its relatively affordable $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95 price.

The process of applying the screen protector to our Switch 2 was easy, thanks in no small part to Belkin’s simple system. Once you’ve popped the supplied frame over the Switch 2’s screen, the screen protector naturally nestles into its exact position on the glass, without the hesitation and second-guessing often experienced when applying screen protectors.

All I then had to do was peel back the top layer of film and coax all of the air pockets to the edge of the display; this took all of about 20 seconds, which is far faster than with some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.

Admittedly, a few stubborn bubbles remained, but I’ve applied a lot of screen protectors in my time – I’m both an early upgrader and horrendously clumsy – and I’ve always found that these eventually get squeezed out over the first few days of use.

Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 at Amazon for $24.56

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Before applying the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector(Image credit: Future)Fitting it within the frame was a piece of cake, easily allowing me to align it precisely.(Image credit: Future)A few bubbles appeared beneath the surface but they were easy enough to chase away.(Image credit: Future)A quick polish with the microfiber cloth and I was done!(Image credit: Future)

As long as you’ve ensured that your Switch 2’s screen is sufficiently clean before applying the protector, it really is hard to imagine how you could go wrong here.

Once it was applied, I was genuinely impressed with the quality of Belkin’s screen protector. Thanks to the tempered glass it’s fashioned from it feels sturdy to the touch – rather than the plasticky feel of some products, you get all of the hardness of standard glass without the brittleness. And its bevelled edges mean it can have a decent thickness to it while not having a pronounced lip around its rim, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the device.

Sometimes this kind of protection can come at a bit of a tradeoff, giving you peace of mind at the cost of increased reflectivity, but Belkin’s anti-reflective treatment seemed to minimize the amount of reflections cast across the screen. It didn’t seem to hurt the pop of the Switch 2’s gloriously vibrant display at all, with Mario Kart World’s colorful palette still looking as hyperreal as ever.

Even under the harsh lighting of our photography studio, I had to spin it to pretty extreme angles for reflections to significantly affect the viewing experience, and you’re unlikely to encounter conditions this unfavorable under real-world use.

(Image credit: Future)

Being this well designed doesn’t mean anything if a screen protector cracks under pressure though. So how did the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector perform under testing conditions?

Pretty capably, it turns out.

Out of the gate, I wanted to make sure it was going to actually go the distance – it doesn’t matter how hard your screen protector is if it peels off long before it sees any action. Rubbing the corner didn’t cause any layers to come away and, even when I got my nail in there, it didn’t easily lift away from the screen. My impression is that the Belkin should hang on in there for the long haul.

Simulating multiple years of cumulative wear and tear isn’t all that easy, so it’s important that we subject these screen protectors to a level of abuse I’d hope you wouldn’t subject your own console to.

Image 1 of 2

Scratch testing the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector…(Image credit: Future)… And the aftermath, showing little in the way of scratches.(Image credit: Future)

Taking my keys to the screen protector, I started trying to scratch it, gingerly at first and then, when it resisted my efforts, rather less gingerly. No matter how hard I tried to score the glass, the keys in my hand just slipped off it, so while I imagine it will sustain damage from direct blows, you can rest easy knowing that it’ll laugh off regular scuffs and scrapes with ease.

Even though I’ve spent a lot of money on screen protectors over the years, the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 still impressed me. It’s easy to apply, well made, and should guard your handheld console against all but the most severe abuse.

Once you factor in the aforementioned price – just $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95 – it becomes a bit of a bargain, especially given that you shouldn’t have to replace it for trivial reasons, like superficial scratches or premature peeling. If you want to safeguard your Switch 2, it’s a very safe bet.

(Image credit: Future)

Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price & availability

Launched June 4, 2025
Retails for $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95

First released on June 4, 2025, the Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 is Belkin’s first foray into the gaming screen protector space. Priced at $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95, it’s a very competitive option – although it is worth noting that some rivals’ offerings include two protectors for the price of one.

Still, I would argue that the value you’re getting here is pretty decent. Two screen protectors over one sounds like a bargain, as long as they don’t last half as long, effectively negating their cheaper price. Based on Belkin’s track record in this space, and how durable its screen protector proved in our testing, this one should last you a decent while, making it still a smart investment for the price.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Ease of application

The frame makes it a cinch to fit it in place, and getting an essentially bubble-free seal only takes a few swipes.

4.5 / 5

Design

Bevelled edges allow the protector to have a decent thickness without rough edges, while reflection-reducing and fingerprint-resistant design ensures the screen remains visible even in direct light.

4.5 / 5

Toughness

Thick, robust tempered glass that neither peels nor scratches easily – our testing didn’t leave a single mark on it.

5 / 5

Value

Priced at the cheaper end of the market and designed to last, although some rivals offer two protectors for their higher price.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How I tested the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2

I applied the screen protector following the instructions
I tested how it affects brightness, shows fingerprints, and how easy it is to damage
I relied on decades of handheld gaming experience

Since TechRadar has started testing Nintendo Switch accessories, it’s been important for me to work out a standardized process for how we test them. First off, we apply the screen protector to a Nintendo Switch 2 to see how easy it is to adhere. Then we test how the screen protector affects the brightness of the screen and viewing angles, before seeing how it copes with smudges and fingerprints.

I also wanted to make sure that we checked how well the screen protectors cope with damage. While I wasn’t quite brave enough to drop a flagstone onto our testing Switch 2 and see whether it survived until the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, I did try several methods to test the hardiness of the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector. I tried scuffing the edges of the screen protector and peeling it with my nails to see if it would come loose, before attempting to scratch it vigorously with my keys.

In terms of experience, not only have I been gaming on the go for most of my life – Imma OG Game Boy right here – but I’ve been writing about tech and gadgets on and off for almost 15 years. My reviews team tests a wide array of gaming accessories from controllers to wireless headsets – and perhaps most relevant, I’ve broken more screens than I can count.

First reviewed: September 2025
Read more about how we test

Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2: Price Comparison

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September 7, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Missed a map in Silksong? Don’t worry, there’s an easy way to grab it

by admin September 5, 2025

There’s nothing worse than missing a map in Hollow Knight: Silksong and stumbling around the area blindly hoping you’ll eventually find a bench of a Bellway fast travel point. Just like the original, you should grab map items early, such as the compass and quill, since they’re pretty much vital for tracking your location.

Unless, that is, you actually enjoy map reading and inferring your location through local landmarks—I doff my hat to you if so.

The good news is that if you miss a map in Silksong and fail to find resident cartographer Shakra in her new spot, then you can still get the map quite easily. All you need to do is head back to Bone Bottom, jump up the platforms marked with gold rings on the right side of the town and hit the ring tied to the post in Shakra’s usual spot two times. This will make Shakra return, where she’ll offer you whatever map you somehow managed to miss.

Similar to Cornifer in Hollow Knight, Shakra is on her own journey through Pharloom, so she can jump around to new locations when you hit certain progression points or enter new areas, making it tricky if you miss her in one place and accidentally stumble into an entirely new region on your wanderings.

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If you hit the ring to the right of Bone Bottom up the platforms, you can summon Shakra(Image credit: Team Cherry)She’ll sell maps for locations where you’ve missed her and she’s moved(Image credit: Team Cherry)

I can confirm this because I entirely missed her in the Far Fields, accidentally falling down a hole and having to find Hokers for the Seamstress before even being allowed to leave the area. When I did emerge from the bottom of Far Fields, I found that the location Shakra’s rings were leading me to was completely empty.

Thankfully, though, I could still grab the map from her in Bone Bottom, so make sure to check back with her whenever you’re in town—especially if you find yourself falling down any rabbit, or bug, holes, which is honestly one of the most enjoyable things about these games. It’s also handy if you don’t have enough Rosaries and need a little more cash to purchase the map later on.

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September 5, 2025 0 comments

Blink Video Doorbell Gen 2 mounted beside purple door

Product Reviews

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core review: easy installation, and a head-to-toe view of visitors

by admin September 2, 2025

Why you can trust TechRadar

We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core: two-minute review

The days of traditional ‘analog’ doorbells connected via wires to an internal chime are fast coming to an end. Increasingly, people are turning to video doorbells, which will send an alert to your mobile phone when someone comes to the door. They will even act as an intercom so you can talk to whoever is there whether you are in the house, walking the dog or sitting on a beach.

Like its predecessor, the Blink Video Doorbell doesn’t come with its own indoor chime. Instead, you can pair it with a Blink Mini 2 camera (sold separately) or connect via the Alexa app on your phone to a Fire Stick or Amazon Echo Show. This will allow you to see who is at the front door on your TV screen/multimedia display or you can get a voice message via your Amazon Echo Dot when someone presses the doorbell.

Alternatively, it may be possible to connect existing doorbell wiring from the Blink Video Doorbell to a legacy indoor chime providing its rated between 16 and 24 volts. Batteries are required for use whether you use existing doorbell wiring or not.

The Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) uses three AA lithium batteries (Image credit: Chris Price)

What I like about Blink devices is just how easy they are to add to an existing system. I’ve already got several Blink cameras around the house so adding one more was simply a case of scanning the QR code on the back of the device and adding it to the home set up. However, if you’ve never installed a Blink camera before you will need to download the app (Android or iPhone) as well as connect the sync module provided to your broadband router (this acts as a hub for up to 10 Blink security devices).

Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) + Sync Module 2 at Amazon for $39.99

Unfortunately, as the one supplied isn’t compatible with local storage via a connected USB flash drive, you will need to pay a monthly subscription for storing video footage and accessing the latest features – see subscription options below.

When it comes to mounting the video doorbell on the door there are two options. You can either use the standard flat mount or a wedge mount if you are placing it on a door architrave. As I was replacing the previous Blink video doorbell (Gen 1) I was hoping I could re-use the mount from that one to save time on installation. However, that wasn’t possible because this unit is a slightly different size.

Instead I used the black mount provided for the black video doorbell supplied by the manufacturer (a white version with white mount is also available). At least I didn’t have to screw two new holes in the wood as they’re positioned in the same place on the mount as the previous version.

Installing the Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) is very straightforward, particularly if you already have other Blink devices at home (Image credit: Chris Price)

Once installed, controlling the camera is simply a case of using the Blink app. One of the main differences between this model and its predecessor is the camera’s lens, in particular the aspect ratio. Whereas the previous model offered a more conventional 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio with 1080p resolution, the new video doorbell boats a square 1:1 aspect ratio with improved 1440p resolution.

It also offers a larger field of vision (150 degrees horizontal and 150 degrees vertical) compared to 135 degrees horizontal and just 80 degrees vertical on the previous model. The result is that not only is it possible to get a head-to-toe image of someone coming to the door, you can also view the ground – handy to see any deliveries that have been left outside your front door.

The in-app setup process is very simple (Image credit: Chris Price)

Certainly the 1:1 aspect ratio does take a little bit of getting used to, especially the square shape on the Blink home page next to all of the other more conventional widescreen cameras. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that, because the field of view is so much bigger than its predecessor you will need to reduce the device’s sensitivity, especially if you are paying for the Blink subscription with AI-powered Smart Detection.

Otherwise, you may well record every person and vehicle that goes past your house as well as those who come to the door. Not only will this severely reduce the lifespan of the batteries, it is also highly annoying to get pointless alerts every few minutes.

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core: subscription options

There are two different subscription plans available depending on the number of Blink devices you own, and which features you require.

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Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core: price and availability

List price $69.99 / £59.99 (about AU$110)
Launched August 2025 with Sync Module
Currently available in UK and US (not Australia)

With its second-generation video doorbell, Blink has managed to maintain the same $69.99 / £59.99 price point as the original video doorbell (you can now buy the earlier model for under £30 on Amazon in the UK without the sync module). Really, it’s exceptional value for money, much cheaper than a Ring video doorbell device, despite the two companies sharing Amazon ownership.

However, it’s not available in Australia at the time of writing, and it’s worth bearing in mind that if you want to benefit from the full functionality of the device, including the ability to store video clips, you will need to pay for a subscription costing from $3 / £2.50 a month. That’s because – unlike the first video doorbell which incorporated a sync module with the option of adding local storage – it’s not the case with the second-generation model.

You won’t be able to store videos recorded by the Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) on the Sync Module Core (Image credit: Chris Price)

Instead of the Sync Module 2, the second-generation Blink video doorbell features the more basic Sync Module Core. Personally, I find that a little bit cheeky, but then at least the monthly subscription fees are cheaper than most of the rivals (Ring subscription plans start at $4.99 / £4.99 a month).

In addition to unlimited cloud video storage, the Blink subscription package includes Blink Moments which stitches together multiple events from multiple cameras into one video. Then there’s AI-Powered Smart Detection which tells you whether the camera has captured a person coming to the door/walking past your house, or a vehicle in your driveway/driving along the road. To reduce the amount of footage captured, which can be quite overwhelming, we recommend reducing the device’s sensitivity and also editing the ‘motion zones’ (areas of the frame that are active or private).

Today’s best Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module deals

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core: design

Easy-to-install mounting bracket
Chunky design
Available in white or black

Blink cameras are renowned for being some of the most compact and lightweight devices on the market. However, the Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) is a little bit of an exception. Tipping the scales at 4oz/113g, it’s both heavier than the first-generation model (3.2oz/91g) and also a little thicker too at 1.44in/36.6mm compared to 1inch/27mm.

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The Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) is a little bulkier than its predecessor(Image credit: Chris Price)The Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) is a little bulkier than its predecessor(Image credit: Chris Price)

The main reason for this, of course, is that the new model incorporates space for three AA lithium batteries whereas the original model featured just two batteries. In turn, this means that battery life is much longer though it’s unlikely to be as long as the two-year lifespan that Blink’s marketing suggests.

Like its predecessor, two colour options are available (white or black) and there are two types of mount – one for placing flat on the door frame and another for mounting on a door architrave. Using the standard mount with the screws provided, it only takes around five minutes to install wirelessly, although if you are connecting to existing doorbell wiring the process is much longer. Since there’s no built-in chime, you’ll need to connect it to Alexa devices or buy a Blink Mini 2 camera to hear the doorbell indoors.

It only took around five minutes to install the doorbell with the included mount (Image credit: Chris Price)

Looks-wise, the second-generation model is a little different from its predecessor with a larger oval shaped button in the middle, compared to the round button on the first generation model. Recording is also more subtle with a small blue light on the top right indicating when video is being captured, rather than the area around the central button becoming illuminated in blue.

When the button in the centre is pushed by a visitor, it illuminates white and a message is sent to the connected phone telling you ‘someone is at the door’. As with the first-generation model, the doorbell sits inside a bracket but can be removed for changing batteries etc. by inserting a small metal ‘key’ in the base. It is also rated IP-65 weather resistant which offers greater protection against the elements than the previous model which was only IP-54 rated.

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core: performance

Good image quality (especially in Best mode)
Stable video connection
Overly sensitive camera

There’s no question that when it comes to performance Blink has upped its game with this second gen model. The first one was certainly OK, but not as good as some of the admittedly more expensive video doorbells from companies such as Ring. However, in nearly every respect, the Gen 2 model offers better performance than its predecessor.

Not only does it have a wider field of horizontal view (150 degrees compared to 135 degrees for the first model), it also offers a 150-degrees vertical field of view for a perfectly square 1:1 aspect ratio image. At first I thought that was a bit odd, but having used it for a little while it’s incredibly useful. Not only can you see an entire head-to-toe image of someone at the door you can also see if a parcel has been left on your doorstep.

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The new square aspect ratio makes it easier to see both visitors and packages(Image credit: Chris Price)The new square aspect ratio makes it easier to see both visitors and packages(Image credit: Chris Price)

Whereas the previous model offered 1080p video resolution, the second-generation model boasts improved 1440p video resolution. Three video quality settings are on board (Best, Standard, and Saver). I settled on Best as it’s good to be able to see details more clearly although this will obviously reduce battery life. The second-generation model also offers improved night vision.

Of course, it’s not all good news. The downside of the camera lens being much bigger is that it also collects much more footage – too much. Blink cameras are known for being sensitive anyway and this latest model is no exception.

Even with privacy zones set up, I found it necessary to dial the sensitivity right down to avoid false alerts (Image credit: Chris Price)

With motion sensitivity set to five, I found the camera was recording around 100 events a day, most of them of people walking their dog past the house or delivery vans going by. Even with the ‘privacy zones’ set up to block out the extremes of the frame (including areas of sky) the camera was still extremely active. In the end it was necessary to reduce sensitivity to just two out of 10 so it only captured people actually coming to the door.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning the sync module. Whereas the previous model included the Sync Module 2 with a USB socket so you could insert a USB flash drive for storing video clips, this model comes with the Sync Module Core without local storage. Essentially this means if you want to store video clips you will need to pay a subscription of at least $3 / £2.50 a month.

Should you buy the Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyBlink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

This video doorbell represents pretty good value for money. Even the monthly subscription charge for premium features is around half the price of some devices.

4/5

Design

Available in black or white, the Blink doorbell is a much bulkier model than its predecessor. It is accompanied by a small sync module which connects to your router.

4/5

Performance

Although the motion sensor is a little overly-sensitive, performance is very good indeed particularly the 1:1 aspect ratio for ‘head-to-toe’ video capture.

4.5/5

Overall

When it comes to performance Blink have upped their game with improved quality images and longer battery life. Just a shame the supplied sync module can’t be used for storing clips.

4.5/5

Buy it if

Don’t buy it if

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core: also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Product

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module

Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 1) and Sync Module

Yale Smart Video Doorbell and Doorbell Chime

Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus

Subscription price

From £2.50 a month

From £3.50 a month

From £4.99 a month

Viewing angle

150 degrees horizontal

135 degrees horizontal

154 degrees horizontal

150 degrees horizontal

Network connection

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Audio

Two-way audio

Video

1440p Full HD resolution

1080p Full HD resolution

1536p Full HD resolution

Power

Battery

Mains or battery

Battery

Hardware price

£59 (with Sync Module Core)

£59 (with Sync Module 2)

£129 (video doorbell), £29 (chime)

£129 (video doorbell), £139 (with basic chime)

If you’re not sure whether the Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core are the right combo for you, here are two other options to consider.

How I tested the Blink Video Doorbell (Gen 2) and Sync Module Core

I used the doorbell every day for 10 days
I installed it myself
The doorbell was set up on the front door facing towards the road

To test a video doorbell properly you need to use it as part of your home system. Fortunately, I already have other Blink cameras so adding another one was particularly straightforward. But even if I didn’t then downloading the app would have been easy enough.

Installation takes around 15 minutes or so, requiring a screw driver to attach the mount to the door frame before positioning the camera in place. It’s roughly the same size as the previous one, in terms of length and width, so thankfully I didn’t have to worry about unsightly screw holes all over the door frame.

The new Blink Video Doorbell is roughly the same height and width as its predecessor, so I didn’t have to worry about messy screw holes when I upgraded (Image credit: Chris Price)

During the period of testing, I really began to appreciate the device’s head-to-toe viewing. I get a lot of deliveries, so being able to see if they have been left on the doorstep when I’m out is handy. Another bonus is the additional power that having another AA battery brings.

Whereas the previous model relied on two lithium AA batteries that had to be changed every three months, this one has three. However, I think it’s extremely unlikely these will last two years as Blink claims in its marketing blurb. I’m pretty sure I’ll be changing the batteries again in six months time given how sensitive the camera’s motion sensor is!.

For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.

First reviewed August 2025

Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) + Sync Module 2: Price Comparison

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Mortal Kombat 2 No Longer Coming Out In Time For Easy Halloween Costumes

by admin August 30, 2025

Mortal Kombat 2 was set to hit theaters on October 24, just a week before Halloween. It seemed like good timing for a hyper-violent video game classic about warriors fighting horrors from other dimensions. Apparently Warner Bros. disagreed. The studio has now delayed the sequel by nearly seven months because it thinks the corny fist-fest can make more money in the spring.

That’s according to Deadline, which reported the news late on Friday before the Labor Day holiday weekend. It claims “research screenings have been strong” and that Warner Bros. didn’t want to bury its latest video game adaptation in a “crowded late October frame” between Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere and Regretting You.

So instead, Mortal Kombat 2 will now come out on May 15, 2026. Avengers: Doomsday was originally set to open that month but was pushed back to December of next year. The only real competition will be The Mandalorian and Grogu which arrives at the end of next May. So even if Mortal Kombat 2 ends up having a surprisingly long tail, it’ll probably get kicked out of most theaters by Star Wars.

The sequel brings in The Boys‘ Karl Urban as the shade-wearing, split-kicking Johnny Cage and its July trailer looked decent. If it has the budget to double-down on some of the big spectacle fight sequences the 2021 reboot was missing it could be fun. Though I still think its cheesy gore-fest sensibility was a great fit for Halloween. I don’t usually like slasher movies but I’ll make an exception if Scorpion’s the one doing the impaling.

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August 30, 2025 0 comments