Set up a VPN connection on Mac (2024)

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

macOS Monterey 12

macOS Big Sur 11.0

macOS Catalina 10.15

macOS Mojave 10.14

macOS High Sierra

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Table of Contents

macOS User Guide

  • Welcome
    • What’s in the menu bar?
    • Work on the desktop
    • Search with Spotlight
    • Quickly change settings
    • Use Siri
    • Get notifications
    • Open apps from the Dock
    • Organize your files in the Finder
    • Connect to the internet
    • Browse the web
    • Preview a file
    • Take a screenshot
    • Change your display’s brightness
    • Adjust the volume
    • Use trackpad and mouse gestures
    • Use Touch ID
    • Print documents
    • Keyboard shortcuts
    • Apps on your Mac
    • Open apps
    • Work with app windows
    • Use apps in full screen
    • Use apps in Split View
    • Use Stage Manager
    • Get apps from the App Store
    • Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
    • Install and uninstall other apps
    • Create and work with documents
    • Open documents
    • Mark up files
    • Combine files into a PDF
    • Organize files on your desktop
    • Organize files with folders
    • Tag files and folders
    • Back up files
    • Restore files
    • Change System Settings
    • Choose your desktop wallpaper
    • Add and customize widgets
    • Use a screen saver
    • Add a user or group
    • Add your email and other accounts
    • Automate tasks with Shortcuts
    • Create Memoji
    • Change your login picture
    • Change the system language
    • Make text and other items on the screen bigger
    • Set up a Focus to stay on task
    • Set up Screen Time for yourself
    • Use Dictation
    • Send emails
    • Send text messages
    • Make a FaceTime video call
    • Edit photos and videos
    • Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
    • Start a Quick Note
    • Get directions
    • Work across devices using Continuity
    • Use iPhone as a webcam
    • Use iPhone with Desk View
    • Stream audio and video with AirPlay
    • Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
    • Hand off between devices
    • Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
    • Make and receive phone calls on your Mac
    • Sync music, books, and more between devices
    • Manage Apple ID settings
    • Set your Apple ID picture
    • What is iCloud?
    • What is iCloud+?
    • Store files in iCloud Drive
    • Share and collaborate on files and folders
    • Manage iCloud storage
    • Use iCloud Photos
    • What is Family Sharing?
    • Set up Family Sharing
    • Set up Screen Time for a child
    • Share purchases with your family
    • Watch and listen together with SharePlay
    • Share a Photo Library
    • Collaborate on projects
    • Find content shared with you
    • Find your family and friends
    • Play games with your friends
    • Play music
    • Listen to podcasts
    • Watch TV shows and movies
    • Read and listen to books
    • Read the news
    • Track stocks and the market
    • Apple Music
    • Apple TV+
    • Apple Arcade
    • Apple News+
    • Podcast shows and channels
    • Manage subscriptions in the App Store
    • View Apple family subscriptions
    • Guard your privacy
    • Use Mail Privacy Protection
    • Control access to your camera
    • Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
    • Set up your Mac to be secure
    • Keep your data safe
    • Create a passkey
    • Understand passwords
    • Keep your Apple ID secure
    • Find a missing device
    • Get started with accessibility features
    • Vision
    • Hearing
    • Mobility
    • Speech
    • General
    • Connect an external display
    • Use the built-in camera
    • Connect a Bluetooth device
    • Use AirPods with your Mac
    • Optimize your Mac battery life
    • Optimize storage space
    • Burn CDs and DVDs
    • Control accessories in your home
    • Use Windows on your Mac
  • Resources for your Mac
  • Resources for your Apple devices
  • Copyright
Set up a VPN connection on Mac (1)

To connect to a virtual private network (VPN), you need to enter configuration settings in Network settings. These settings include the VPN server address, account name, and any authentication settings, such as a password or a certificate.

Contact the network administrator for your organization or your VPN service provider for information about the settings you need to enter in order to connect to their VPN.

If you received a VPN settings file from your network administrator or VPN service provider, you can just double-click it to set up your connection. If you didn’t receive a file, enter the settings you received manually.

Enter VPN settings manually

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu Set up a VPN connection on Mac (2)>System Settings, then click Network Set up a VPN connection on Mac (3) in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

    Open VPN settings for me

  2. Click the Action pop-up menu Set up a VPN connection on Mac (4) on the right, choose Add VPN Configuration, then choose the type of VPN connection you want to set up.

  3. Enter a name for the new VPN service in the Display Name field.

  4. If you’re setting up an L2TP over IPSec VPN, click the Configuration pop-up menu, then select a configuration.

    If you don’t need multiple configurations, just use the Default configuration.

  5. Enter settings for the new VPN service.

    Required settings vary by the type of VPN and may include settings such as server address, account name, password, and authentication method.

  6. If needed, enter additional settings.

    • L2TP over IPSec: You can enter settings for Options, TCP/IP, DNS, and Proxies.

    • Cisco IPSec or IKEv2: You can enter settings for DNS and Proxies.

  7. Click Create.

View or modify a VPN configuration

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu Set up a VPN connection on Mac (5)>System Settings, then click VPN Set up a VPN connection on Mac (6) in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

  2. On the right, click the Info button Set up a VPN connection on Mac (7) next to the VPN service you want to modify.

  3. If needed, change settings.

  4. Click OK (or Cancel if you don’t want to make any changes).

Remove a VPN configuration

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu Set up a VPN connection on Mac (8)>System Settings, then click VPN Set up a VPN connection on Mac (9) in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

  2. On the right, click the Info button Set up a VPN connection on Mac (10) next to the VPN service you want to remove.

  3. Click Remove Configuration, then confirm you want to remove it.

You can use the VPN status icon in the menu bar to connect to the network and switch between VPN services.

  • L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) is an extension of PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) used by internet service providers to enable a VPN over the internet.

  • IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) is a set of security protocols.

  • IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange) is a protocol that sets up a security association in IPSec.

See alsoChange VPN settings on Mac

Helpful?

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Set up a VPN connection on Mac (2024)

FAQs

Set up a VPN connection on Mac? ›

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click the Action pop-up menu , choose Add VPN Configuration, then choose the type of VPN connection you want to set up.

How to setup a VPN connection on a Mac? ›

How to set up:
  1. Go to your Mac's System Settings app.
  2. Hit Network.
  3. Click the plus sign.
  4. Click on Interface.
  5. Click on VPN.
  6. Choose which VPN connection you want to set up.
  7. Click Create.
  8. Choose a protocol. A word on the different types of VPN protocols:

Does Mac have a built-in VPN? ›

Does my Mac have a VPN built in? While macOS provides the option to connect to a VPN server in System Preferences, it is technically not a VPN service. It is actually a conduit that connects to third-party VPN services like ExpressVPN.

Why can't i connect to VPN on Mac? ›

It's possible for your VPN connection to be blocked by your antivirus program or another VPN application installed on your device. In order to avoid this, it's important to disable your antivirus and remove any other VPN applications. Restart your device afterward.

How to create a VPN connection? ›

Connect to a virtual private network (VPN) on Android
  1. Step 1: Get VPN information. Get your VPN information from your administrator. You might need to install a VPN app and start set-up in that app. ...
  2. Step 2: Enter VPN information. Open your device's Settings app. Tap Network & internet.

How do I create a VPN on my Mac? ›

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click the Action pop-up menu , choose Add VPN Configuration, then choose the type of VPN connection you want to set up.

How do I add open VPN to my Mac? ›

Install the app and connect to a server
  1. Download the OpenVPN Connect app from our website.
  2. Wait until the download completes, then open it.
  3. Select the installer for your device (mac with Intel processor or mac with Apple chip).
  4. Click Continue when the installer window opens.
  5. Agree to the EULA and install.

Does Mac have a free VPN? ›

Hide.me – the best free Mac VPN for unlimited bandwidth

Hide.me is one of the best free VPNs for those who seek unlimited bandwidth and enough locations to support streaming needs. While it only supports one device, its premium version has extra features.

Should Mac users use a VPN? ›

VPN for Macs

Encrypting your network traffic helps protect you from cybercriminals trying to gain access to passwords, sensitive financial information, and all other private or personal data. The immediate benefits of your VPN are twofold: Complete Online Privacy.

How do I know if my Mac has a VPN? ›

Mac: Check your top status bar. If you have a VPN/proxy set up, there will be a black box with four grey lines and one white line. If you cannot see this box, you do not have a VPN set up.

Did Apple remove VPN? ›

Apple has removed 25 VPN mobile apps from its app store following a request by Russia's communication regulator.

How to use Apple VPN? ›

Here's how to manually enable a VPN to work on your iPhone:
  1. Tap on your “Settings” app on the Home Screen of your iPhone.
  2. Choose “General.”
  3. Press “VPN.”
  4. Tap “Add VPN Configuration.”
  5. Press “Type” and pick the type of VPN protocol you're using. ...
  6. Type in a description, remote ID, and a server for the VPN.

How to use VPN on Safari? ›

Set up a VPN for iOS:
  1. Head to “Settings.”
  2. Select “General.”
  3. Tap “VPN and device management.”
  4. Tap “VPN.”
  5. Hit “Add VPN Configuration.”
  6. Select a VPN protocol by tapping “Type” and choose IKEv2, IPSec, or L2TP.
  7. Enter “Description,” “Server,” and “Remote ID.”
  8. Under “Authentication,” enter a username and password.
Sep 26, 2023

How to get a VPN on Mac? ›

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click the Action pop-up menu , choose Add VPN Configuration, then choose the type of VPN connection you want to set up.

How to use a VPN for beginners? ›

The basic process for using a VPN is to install a VPN app on your device, fire it up, log into your account and select a server. For the fastest speeds, you'll typically want to choose a server geographically nearby, but for accessing region-specific content, pick a VPN server in your desired country.

How do I setup a VPN and why? ›

Here's how it works:
  1. Sign up for a VPN service.
  2. Create an account.
  3. Download the app or specific software for your chosen VPN service on all of your devices.
  4. Log in to the account you made when signing up for the VPN service.

Is there a free VPN for Mac? ›

Surfshark: Great VPN Free Trial for Mac. Proton VPN Free: Best 100% Free VPN for Mac. Windscribe Free: Very Good Free VPN for Streaming.

How do I share internet connection with VPN on Mac? ›

How to share a VPN connection from your Mac OS
  1. In the Sharing menu, select Internet Sharing from the left panel. ...
  2. Select Wi-Fi Options…, ...
  3. Anyone wishing to connect their device to your VPN network will need the password you've just set.

How do I get a VPN address on my Mac? ›

The simplest method is to use the Network pane of System Settings:
  1. Click on the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
  2. Select Network.
  3. Click on the type of network you're using to connect to the internet. ...
  4. Choose Details next to the network to which you're connected.
  5. In the window that opens, you'll see an IP address.
Dec 13, 2023

How do I know if I have a VPN on my Mac? ›

PC: Check under your WiFi settings, to see if there is a VPN/proxy showing up. Mac: Check your top status bar. If you have a VPN/proxy set up, there will be a black box with four grey lines and one white line. If you cannot see this box, you do not have a VPN set up.

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