How to Set up a VPN on a Mac

This updated guide examines How to Set up a VPN on a Mac and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 3:

Entering VPN Settings Manually

1. Click the Apple menu. Once you enter the VPN settings into the Network panel of System Preferences, it'll be easy to connect to the VPN. These settings are provided by your admin or service provider.
   • As of macOS Sierra, the native VPN app no longer supports PPTP VPN.^[1]If you have Sierra and your service requires PPTP, see Using Shimo on macOS Sierra.
2. Select 'System Preferences. '
3. Click the 'Network' icon.
4. Click the+beneath the left panel.
5. Click the button next to the 'Interface' menu. The button is blue and has two arrows, and will expand a brief menu.
6. Select 'VPN. '
7. Click the button next to the 'VPN Type' menu.
8. Select the type of VPN. Your VPN provider should specify this in their instructions.^[2]
   • If you haven't yet signed up for VPN service, see Getting a VPN for tips on selecting a provider.
9. Type a name for this VPN. Type it into the 'Service Name' field. This will be the nickname for this connection.
10. ClickCreate. Now you'll see the VPN settings for this new connection in the right panel.
11. Enter the IP address for the server. Type this into the 'Server Address' field.
12. Enter your VPN account username. This goes into the 'Account Name' field.
13. Place a check next to 'Show VPN status in the menu bar'.
14. ClickAuthentication Settings.
15. Select an authentication method. Use the instructions from your VPN provider to determine the correct choice.^[3]
    • If you connect with a regular username and password, try selecting 'Password' and then enter your password into the blank.
16. ClickOK.
17. ClickAdvanced.
18. Make sure there's a check next to 'Send all traffic over VPN connection'.
19. ClickOK.
20. ClickApply. Now you should see a new icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen (near the clock). This is the VPN status icon, and you can use it to connect and disconnect from the VPN.
21. Click the VPN status icon.
22. Select 'Connect [your VPN name]'. The system will now connect and authenticate to the VPN server.

Method 2of 3:

Using a VPN Settings File

1. Save the VPN settings file to your computer. If your VPN provider supplied its own VPN settings file, make sure you've downloaded it to your computer.
2. Double-click the VPN settings file.
   • In some cases, this action will open the Network panel with the correct information already filled in. If you see this panel, skip to step 10.
   • If the Network panel did not appear, continue with this method.
3. Click the Apple menu.
4. Select 'System Preferences. '
5. Click the 'Network' icon.
6. Click the gear icon. It's at the bottom of the white panel on the left.
7. Select 'Import Configurations. '
8. Select your VPN settings file.
9. ClickOpenorImport. The VPN settings will load.^[4]
10. Make sure 'Show VPN status in menu bar' is checked. You'll see this in the right panel of the current screen.^[5]
    • When the checkmark is present, you'll be able to click an icon in the menu bar to connect and disconnect from the VPN.
11. Click the VPN status icon. It's in the menu bar, at the top right corner of the screen near the clock. It's a rectangle with several vertical lines inside.
12. Click 'Connect [your VPN network]'. The computer will now connect to the VPN using the server and login information in the VPN settings file.
    • To disconnect, click the VPN status icon and select 'Disconnect.'

Method 3of 3:

Using Shimo on macOS Sierra

1. Open a web browser. If you must connect to a PPTP VPN on macOS Sierra, you'll need a VPN app that still supports the protocol. Shimo is one app that is highly recommended across the internet.^[6]
   • Shimo is not free, but it does have a fully-functional 30 day free trial.
   • Apple recommends no one use PPTP due to security vulnerabilities.^[7]
2. Navigate tohttps://www.shimovpn.com/download. A pop-up will appear.^[8]
3. Follow the prompts to download Shimo. The app will download.
4. Open the Downloads folder.
5. Double-click the downloaded file. It will be called something likeShimo_4.1.2_8433.zip.
6. Double-clickShimo.
7. ClickOpen. You may see this button on a pop-up window that asks you to confirm you want to run the program. If you don't see it, just skip to the next step.
8. ClickMove to Applications Folder. You should see a new icon appear in your menu bar. It's the outline of a square with rounded edges at its top. This is the Shimo icon.^[9]
9. Click the Shimo icon. A menu will appear.
10. Select 'Preferences. '
11. Click the 'Accounts' icon. It's the blue icon at the top left corner of the Preferences panel.^[10]
12. Click+below the left panel.
13. Select your VPN account type.
    • If you're using this method, it's likely because you're required to use PPTP on macOS Sierra. If this is the case, select 'PPTP/L2TP.'
    • If you're not sure, check the documentation for your VPN provider.
14. ClickCreate.
15. Enter your VPN connection information. This information is also supplied by your VPN provider.^[11]
    • The hostname or IP address of the VPN server goes into the 'Remote Host' box.
    • The username and password you enter are the ones you use for the VPN server, not the one you use to log into macOS.
16. ClickCreate. The connection is now saved.
17. Click the Shimo icon. Remember, it's in the menu bar.
18. Select your VPN. Shimo will now connect your computer to the VPN.