⚠️ Legacy Protocol Warning

Cisco IPSec is a legacy VPN protocol that lacks many security features of modern alternatives. While still functional, we strongly recommend using:

IKEv2: Better security, faster connections, built-in iOS support
WireGuard: Modern protocol with best performance (via TorGuard app)
OpenVPN: Highly configurable and secure (via TorGuard app)

Only use Cisco IPSec if required by your organization or if other protocols are unavailable.

Protocol Comparison

Feature	Cisco IPSec	IKEv2	L2TP/IPSec	WireGuard
Security Level	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Speed	Moderate	Fast	Moderate	Fastest
Battery Life	Poor	Good	Moderate	Excellent
iOS Native Support	✅	✅	✅	❌ (App required)
Connection Stability	Poor	Excellent (MOBIKE)	Good	Excellent
Firewall Bypass	Poor	Good	Poor	Excellent

iOS Compatibility

iOS 9-13

✅ Full Support

iOS 14-16

⚠️ Deprecated

iOS 17+

⚠️ May be removed

Important: Apple has deprecated Cisco IPSec in favor of IKEv2. Future iOS versions may remove support entirely.

Configuration Requirements

Before setting up Cisco IPSec, you'll need:

TorGuard VPN account (username and password)
Server hostname from TorGuard's server list
Pre-shared key: torguard
iOS device with Settings app access

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1Open Settings App

Tap the Settings icon on your iOS home screen.

iOS Settings app
2Navigate to VPN Settings

Scroll down and tap VPN. If you have Face ID or Touch ID enabled, you may need to authenticate.

VPN section in Settings
3Add VPN Configuration

Tap "Add VPN Configuration" at the bottom of the screen.

Add VPN Configuration option
4Configure Connection Settings

Enter the following configuration details:

Type: IPSec

Description: TorGuard (or any name you prefer)

Server: Choose from TorGuard's server list
Example: us-ny.secureconnect.me

Account: Your TorGuard VPN username

Password: Your TorGuard VPN password

Use Certificate: OFF (leave toggled off)

Group Name: (leave blank)

Secret: torguard

Proxy: OFF

Tap "Done" in the top right corner when finished.

Complete configuration example
5Connect to VPN

Ensure the TorGuard profile is selected, then slide the Status toggle to connect.

VPN connection toggle

You'll see "VPN" in your status bar when connected successfully.

Connection Indicators

When connected, you'll see:

"VPN" icon in the status bar
Connection time in VPN settings
Data transmitted/received statistics

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Authentication Failed

Verify username and password are correct
Check if your account is active at TorGuard client area
Ensure you're using VPN credentials, not website login
Secret must be exactly: torguard (lowercase)

Connection Times Out

Try a different server location
Check if IPSec ports (500, 4500) are blocked
Disable any other VPN profiles
Reset network settings: Settings → General → Reset → Reset Network Settings

Frequent Disconnections

Cisco IPSec doesn't handle network changes well. Common causes:

Switching between WiFi and cellular
Poor signal strength
iOS power saving features

Solution: Use IKEv2 instead for better stability

Slow Connection Speed

Cisco IPSec uses older encryption that's CPU-intensive
Try servers geographically closer to you
Consider upgrading to IKEv2 or WireGuard for better performance

Security Considerations

⚠️ Known Limitations

No Perfect Forward Secrecy: Compromised keys affect past sessions
Vulnerable to DDoS: IKE aggressive mode can be exploited
Poor NAT traversal: May fail on restrictive networks
No modern ciphers: Limited to older encryption standards

Alternative: TorGuard iOS App

✅ Recommended Alternative

The TorGuard iOS app offers significant advantages:

WireGuard support - Latest, fastest protocol
OpenVPN support - Most configurable protocol
Kill switch - Blocks internet if VPN drops
Split tunneling - Choose which apps use VPN
Stealth mode - Bypass VPN blocking

Download TorGuard App

When to Use Cisco IPSec

Despite its limitations, Cisco IPSec might be appropriate when:

Corporate policy requires this specific protocol
Connecting to legacy VPN servers
App installation is restricted on device
Temporary connection on borrowed device

Advanced Configuration

On-Demand Connection

To enable automatic connection:

Go to Settings → VPN
Tap the (i) next to your configuration
Toggle "Connect On Demand"
Configure rules for automatic connection

Per-App VPN

Available only through MDM (Mobile Device Management) deployment. Contact your IT administrator if needed.

Need Help?

If you're experiencing issues or want help choosing a better protocol:

Contact Support

Our team can guide you to the most secure and stable configuration

How to Setup Cisco IPSec VPN on iOS - Legacy Protocol Guide