Setting up a VPN on macOS: Step by Step
-🖥️-
Click here for a summary of this article Setting up a VPN on macOS: A Quick Guide
It is always a good idea to use a VPN on your macOS. Sometimes, you cannot use your VPN provider’s software for this, so you will have to set up the connection yourself. In this case, just follow these steps:
1. Make sure you have a file shout sign in details. Still looking for a VPN provider? We recommend ExpressVPN:
2. Go to System Preferences and select “network“.
3. Add a VPN connection By clicking on the “+” in the lower left corner. Fill in the correct login information and select “Apply”.
4. Select the VPN connection from the list and click on “Connection“.
Would you like to know how to install a VPN on your Mac using VPN software, or do you simply want more information? Find out more by reading the rest of our article below.
If you are serious about maintaining your online safety and want to make sure that cybercriminals are not able to access your personal data, then a VPN is the way to go. This secure connection will help you stay safe while browsing. Many Mac users prefer to be able to set up their VPN on macOS without installing third-party software. Fortunately, this can be done easily. To make configuring your VPN manually as simple as possible, we have put together a step-by-step guide for you to follow.
Note: Before setting up a VPN on your macOS device, you will need a VPN subscription and associated login details. If you haven’t chosen a VPN yet, check out the best VPN providers for macOS or scroll down to see which VPN we think is the best for macOS.
How to set up a VPN on macOS
If you want to set up a VPN on your Mac, you will first need to be logged into your device as an administrator, so you have the right to adjust the network and security settings. If you do not have these rights, contact the main administrator of your computer.
my choice: Depending on your VPN, you may need to download a security certificate for your login keychain. Your login keychain is a “secure” of sorts, as it stores your login details and other confidential data. Information about certificates can be found on your VPN provider’s website.
If the provider is using a certificate, right-click on the certificate in your keychain and click Get Info. Make sure your certificate settings look like this:
Step 1: Go to your VPN settings
You are now ready to set up your VPN on macOS. You will first have to go to your System Preferences. You can find it in the menu that opens when you click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner. First click on System Preferences, then on the Network icon, as shown below:
Step Two: Add a VPN Connection
When the network menu appears, tap the little “+” icon at the bottom of the list of possible network connections.
This will open a popup where you can enter your VPN details:
- Select the VPN option from the dropdown menu behind “Interface”.
- Choose your preferred type of VPN protocol in the second box. The displayed options depend on your firewall and router settings. Overall, IKEv2 is the most secure protocol to use when setting up a VPN via Mac settings.
- Choose a name for your VPN connection and type it into the box behind Service Name. You can choose any name you want, such as the name of your provider or the type of connection. As long as it’s a name known to you, it will be.
Click the Create button, and you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Step 3: Set up your VPN on macOS
Now that you have added the VPN connection, you will need to log into your chosen VPN service. Once you click Create, you will be taken to a different menu. It will ask for the following information: server address, remote ID, and local ID.
Fill in the boxes by following these steps:
- Your server address can often be found in your VPN provider’s account details. This is the VPN server you wish to use. If you can’t find it, contact the customer service of your VPN service.
- Set the external identifier as the name of your chosen VPN service provider, or simply enter the server address again. Depending on your VPN provider, one or both of these options are possible.
- Filling in the local ID is optional, so feel free to leave this box blank.
- Click the “Authentication Settings…” button.
Step 4: Authenticate your account and connect
Once you have entered your contact details, you will need to enter your login details in order to access your VPN service. By clicking on the Authentication Settings button, you will be sent to the following screen:
Choose the “Username” option from the drop-down menu, then fill in the login information you received when setting up your VPN account.
After filling in your username and password, you can select the “Show VPN status in menu bar” option at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the VPN status icon at the top of your screen, so you can adjust your settings more easily. This can be very useful if you want to quickly connect to your VPN or switch between VPN services at a later time.
Finally, to create a VPN connection, click on Connect. You have now successfully configured your VPN on macOS!
What is the best VPN for macOS?
If you want to use a VPN on your Mac computer, there are a few things to look for. Not all VPNs are suitable for Mac computers, after all. That’s why you may want to pay attention to factors such as compatibility with Apple products, speed, and additional options that a VPN offers. ExpressVPN turned out to be the best option when we tested VPNs for Mac. In addition to the high connection speeds, this VPN provider has a network of more than 3000 servers in 94 countries.
ExpressVPN is a very easy-to-use service, which means that everyone will be able to use it. You do not need a lot of technical expertise to be able to work with this VPN. In addition, ExpressVPN customer service is very helpful. Therefore, ExpressVPN is often the best choice of VPN for general use.
- It is very easy to use a VPN
- Perfect for browsing, downloading and streaming anonymously (eg Netflix)
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries
Visit ExpressVPN
Would you like to learn more about other VPN providers? Make sure to take a look at our top 5 VPN providers at the moment!
Setting up your VPN on macOS with VPN software
Installing your own VPN through your operating system’s settings isn’t always the best way to go. If you are using a paid VPN provider, such as ExpressVPN, we highly recommend using their official software. This software often supports more VPN protocols and uses DNS servers to prevent DNS leaks. Additionally, it often includes a kill switch, which automatically shuts down your connection if the VPN server fails. In short, you’ll be safer overall when using VPN software rather than setting up the connection on macOS yourself.
Installing VPN software on macOS works as follows:
- Subscribe to a VPN provider and create a profile the account.
- Loading VPN software From their official website.
- Installations program by following the indicated steps.
- sign in to the program on your account. This is often a matter of filling in the username and password you created in Step 1.
- Optional: Choose the desired file VPN server. Depending on what you would like to do online, you can choose a suitable server location. Want to watch the US version of Netflix? Then choose a US server. If you are abroad and want to watch local broadcasts online, just choose a server in your country. Finally, if you just want to browse the internet safely, choose the server closest to you for the fastest connection.
- Turn on VPN. For most VPN software, this is done with a single click. If you have not selected a server location, the program will likely automatically select the nearest or fastest server.
Why use a VPN on macOS?
There are many reasons why people might decide to start using a VPN. Here are the most common ones:
- Your data is encrypted, providing additional protection against hackers and cybercriminals (as well as other parties you may listen to, such as governments and companies);
- You can safely use public networks;
- Your location and IP address will be hidden;
- You can download torrents and other files anonymously;
- Bypassing regional blocks on social media and streaming services (such as Netflix) is easier;
- You can bypass censorship in some countries;
- The speed limits set by your ISP will not apply to you;
- You may be able to access services that would normally only be used within the network of a company or organization. This is especially useful when working from home.
In short, setting up a VPN on a Mac is always a good idea. You probably use this device for most of your daily Internet activities. With a VPN, your online privacy and freedom will be boosted instantly.
last thoughts
Some macOS users may choose to set up the VPN manually. This article describes how to do this successfully step by step. Using this method is usually not necessary, as most of the paid VPNs offer software that will set up the connection for you automatically. So we recommend VPN software, which is often simpler and more secure. A VPN that will work perfectly no matter how you choose to install it on your Mac, is ExpressVPN.
Setting up a VPN on Mac – Frequently Asked Questions
If you need a quick answer to your question, we may be able to help you. Simply click on one of the questions below to find out the answer.
The easiest way to set up a VPN is to install the provider’s software. As long as the VPN is compatible with macOS, we recommend it. It is also possible to install the VPN manually by setting the System Preferences of your Mac. Setting up your VPN on macOS in this way can be useful when you want to be able to configure all the VPN settings yourself or when you are not satisfied with your provider’s software.
A VPN comes with a number of major advantages. A secure connection will protect your online data, you will get access to select networks (including your corporate network when you work from home) and your privacy will be preserved. Moreover, VPN also increases your freedom on the internet. In short, a VPN on Mac will give you more privacy, security, and options on the Internet.
When choosing a VPN for your Mac, you will have to research whether the service is compatible with Apple products, whether it will not slow down your connection too much, and what options it offers. We have independently tested several VPNs and concluded that ExpressVPN is currently one of the best VPNs for Mac.
[ad_1]
Don’t forget to share this post with friends !
