Hotspot Shield Free VPN Proxy & Secure VPN v2.3.1
APK · 5.9 MB · version code 231 · Android 2.0+ · uploaded Dec 8, 2014
The source store flagged this file with a security warning (Warning). We recommend not installing it. See other versions.
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Answer this to unlock the download. It keeps automated downloaders away.
Compared with the latest version
The latest version is v6.9.7, uploaded Dec 21, 2025 — about 11 years after this one.
- Size: this file is 5.9 MB; the latest is 15.2 MB (9.3 MB larger).
- Android: this version needs Android 2.0+; the latest needs Android 4.1+. Use this one if your device runs an older Android release.
- The latest version asks for 10 more permissions: Run foreground services, Kill background processes, Package usage stats, Read shared storage, Real get tasks, Prevent the device from sleeping, Read wl (custom), Receive push notifications….
- The latest version no longer asks for: Change wifi state, Find accounts on the device, Read contacts, Use credentials, Write settings, Access af service (custom), Billing (custom).
File information
- Version
- v2.3.1 (231)
- Uploaded
- Dec 8, 2014
- Size
- 5.9 MB
- Requires
- Android 2.0+ (API 5)
- CPU support
- ARM (legacy)
- Screen
- Small screens and larger
- Android TV
- Supported
- MD5
- 2b918b8123db85e1539ee3b4098dcb03
- Signing certificate (SHA-1)
- 36:9C:64:EC:13:E7:32:F2:E7:78:B8:B9:B1:AD:BB:EC:A4:CA:86:2D
- Signed by
- CN=AnchorFree, O=AnchorFree, L=Mountain View, ST=CA
- File name
- hotspotshield-android-vpn-231-7872461-2b918b8123db85e1539ee3b4098dcb03.apk
- Package
- hotspotshield.android.vpn
- Downloads (all versions)
- 100M+
- Age rating
- PEGI 3 · Everyone
What's new in v2.3.1
★ NEW! Smart mode automatically enables the optimal protection. Leave it on so it can take care the rest for you.
★ NEW! Selected Sites mode protect/unblock the sites & apps of your choice only. Customize how you want to use Hotspot Shield.
★ Great & simple new look
Permissions (15)
This version requests 15 permissions, 5 of them sensitive.
- Find accounts on the device Sensitive android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS
- Modify shared storage Sensitive android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
- Read contacts Sensitive android.permission.READ_CONTACTS
- Read phone status and identity Sensitive android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
- Write settings Sensitive android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS
- Access af service (custom) com.anchorfree.ACCESS_AF_SERVICE
- Billing (custom) com.nokia.payment.BILLING
- Change wifi state android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE
- Full network access android.permission.INTERNET
- Get tasks android.permission.GET_TASKS
- In-app purchases (Google Play Billing) com.android.vending.BILLING
- Run at startup android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
- Use credentials android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS
- View Wi-Fi connections android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
- View network connections android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
Security & authenticity
Security rating: Warning
Signing certificate
- Certificate issued to “AnchorFree” This is the certificate of the Google Play version.
- Same certificate as v6.9.7, which matches Google Play v6.9.7
Store checks
- Developer signature check failed Sep 27, 2022
- Antivirus scan passed Oct 8, 2020
- Uploaded by “magicmaster141” Bronze tier · 2,828 followers · uploading since 2012
Scans come from the source store; the certificate comparisons are AAPKs's own, made from the files' published signatures (2 other versions compared). AAPKs doesn't scan files itself.
How to install Hotspot Shield Free VPN Proxy & Secure VPN on Android 2.0+
You'll need about 11.9 MB of free space.
- Download the APK — tap Download APK above (5.9 MB). Chrome shows “File might be harmful” for every APK file; choose Download anyway only if you trust this file.
- Open the file — tap the download notification, or open Files › Downloads and tap hotspotshield-android-vpn-231-7872461-2b918b8123db85e1539ee3b4098dcb03.apk.
- Allow the install (first time only) — Android 8 and later asks for permission the first time an app opens an APK: tap Settings in the prompt, turn on Allow from this source, then go back. Manual path: Settings › Apps › Special app access › Install unknown apps (on Samsung: Settings › Apps › ⋮ › Special access). On Android 7 and older: Settings › Security › Unknown sources.
- Check the file (optional) — the MD5 of the downloaded file should be 2b918b8123db85e1539ee3b4098dcb03. If it differs, the file is damaged or was changed: delete it and download again.
- Tap Install — Android asks “Do you want to install this app?”. The source store flagged this file with a security warning; we recommend not installing it. If Play Protect blocks it, tap Cancel. If an earlier version is installed, this one only installs as an update when it is signed with the same certificate (SHA-1 shown above).
- Open Hotspot Shield Free VPN Proxy & Secure VPN — tap Open on the install screen, or find it in your app drawer.
Common install problems
- “App not installed” — a version signed with a different certificate, or a newer version, is already installed (Android doesn't allow downgrades). Uninstall it first; back up your data, because uninstalling deletes it.
- “There was a problem parsing the package” — the file is incomplete, or your Android is too old (this version needs Android 2.0+). Download it again, or pick an older version.
- “App not compatible with your device” — this build contains native code for ARM (legacy) only. Devices with other processors can't install it.
- Blocked by Play Protect — Play Protect checks apps from outside the Play Store. Only continue if you trust the source; for this file we recommend not to.