Configuration of VPN on Mac (macOS)

This guide is directed to users who use Mac (mac OS) and want to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) using the built-in VPN client. The guide is quite general and can be used with services from most, if not all, VPN providers.

The built-in VPN client ii macOS is an excellent alternative to those VPN clients offered from the vast majority of everyone VPN providers, but lack the special functions (killswitch, speed test, etc.), which are often built into these.

To connect to one VPN with the built-in VPN client, enter the configuration settings below the window Network. These settings include VPNserver address, login (username) and authentication in the form of a password or a certificate that you have received VPN provider.

The configuration settings are available from VPN provider either as a configuration file or for manual entry.

Configuration of VPN in macOS with configuration file

Double-click the configuration file to open the window Network and automatically import the settings. If the window does not open by double-clicking, select Apple> System Preferences, click on Network, click on the popup menu handling and here choose Import configurations. Select the configuration file and click Import.

Your VPN connection is now set up according to the information in the configuration file.

Manual entry of VPN configuration in macOS

1. Choose Apple> System Preferences and click Network
2. click on add (+) at the bottom left of the list, select Interface and click here VPN.
3. Choose VPNtype based on the encryption protocol you want to use (PPTP, L2TP over IPSec, Cisco IPSec or IKEv2). Whichever you choose depends on the possibilities that VPN provider offers and what you have configuration settings for.
4. Give VPN the connection a name.
5. Enter server address and username for VPN the connection (provided by VPN provider).
6. Click Authentication Options and enter the information you received from VPN provider.
7. click on OK and then on Connect.
8. Choose Fish VPNstatus on the menu bar for easy control VPN the connection from the menu bar. Including connecting to VPN the service and switching between servers (if you want to use multiple servers, repeat the items 3-8 for each server).

VPN connections can be deleted again by selecting Remove (-) under Interface in Apple> System Preferences> Network.

OpenVPN and macOS

MacOS 'built-in VPN client does not support OpenVPNwhich is otherwise considered the most secure VPN Protocol. Do you want to use the OpenVPN, but will not use VPN provider's own app, you can install Tunnelblick, there is a free open source OpenVPN app for macOS.