Official OpenVPN macOS client?

[imrazor]

I have an OpenVPN access server set up at my house existing on a pfSense virtual machine. I have no problem getting Windows and Linux clients to connect to it, but I'm struggling to find an 'official' OpenVPN client for MacOS. I know there was one at one point, because I had a Macbook Air 2017 that could connect with it. Was it discontinued? In April 2020, I can only find references to 3rd party clients, like 'tunnelblick' and a couple of others.

 

[satcomer]

Look at this video recommendations:

 

[imrazor]

Ah, you misunderstand. I don't need a VPN provider. My server acts as my own VPN provider so I can protect my privacy from nosy snoops on open WiFi. The OpenVPN client for Windows (here) works a treat for connecting my Windows laptop, or Bootcamp, to my home network. What I was looking for was an OpenVPN client for macOS, but for some reason 3rd party clients seem preferred. However, I did eventually find a link for a macOS client, and can now connect to my VPN server at home.

 

[satcomer]

Did you setup the Open VPN Setting in System Preferences?

 

[chrfr]

Did you setup the Open VPN Setting in System Preferences?

You’re not reading the post. OpenVPN client is not built into macOS.
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I can only find references to 3rd party clients, like 'tunnelblick' and a couple of others.

I don’t use OpenVPN, but when talking to those that do, Tunnelblick seems to be the most recommended option.

 

[satcomer]

You’re not reading the post. OpenVPN client is not built into macOS.
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I don’t use OpenVPN, but when talking to those that do, Tunnelblick seems to be the most recommended option.

Open System Preference->Network and make sure the lane is u locked (in bottom left hand corner). Then click the + button and add a VPN connection then chose the Open VPN to add that to your stack!

Or just follow this video:

 

[BrianBaughn]

I don't know what to say about that last post. I use Tunnelblick to connect back to the OpenVPN server on my home router running DD-WRT.

 

[chrfr]

Open System Preference->Network and make sure the lane is u locked (in bottom left hand corner). Then click the + button and add a VPN connection then chose the Open VPN to add that to your stack!

OpenVPN is a separate protocol. The client is not included in macOS, and the video you linked has nothing to do with connecting to an OpenVPN server.
See here:

macOS VPN Client & Server

Access Server supports VPN connections from macOS devices using a VPN client app.

openvpn.net

The OpenVPN protocol is not one that is built into macOS. Therefore a client program is required...

 

[TheIntruder]

I use Tunnelblick, and it's fine.

For some puzzling reason, the official OpenVPN Mac client used to be hidden away and hard to find, but the link above has clear links.

Note that the "unified experience" for v3.x comes about as an Electron app, which some may have philosophical objections against. Download both, and find that it is almost 7x larger than the v2.x app.

 

[HenryAZ]

Viscosity is a very nice OpenVPN client for Mac, but it costs $14.

 

[satcomer]

OpenVPN is a separate protocol. The client is not included in macOS, and the video you linked has nothing to do with connecting to an OpenVPN server.
See here:

macOS VPN Client & Server

Access Server supports VPN connections from macOS devices using a VPN client app.

openvpn.net

Perhaps taking your own advice would be useful.

That video showed that all you have to do is when in the Network Pane click on the + button and add a VPN client service and then choose the type of encryption that you are using in Sever!

 

[chrfr]

That video showed that all you have to do is when in the Network Pane click on the + button and add a VPN client service and then choose the type of encryption that you are using in Sever!

Yes, but what you are not understanding is that OpenVPN is a specific protocol like L2TP. There is no way to connect to an OpenVPN server from a Mac without using a separate client software.

 

[satcomer]

Yes, but what you are not understanding is that OpenVPN is a specific protocol like L2TP. There is no way to connect to an OpenVPN server from a Mac without using a separate client software.

Yes there is, in the video he connected to his sever so the VPN in Network is a client! You then have to choose the type of Encryption you setup In Sever!

 

[chrfr]

Yes there is, in the video he connected to his sever so the VPN in Network is a client! You then have to choose the type of Encryption you setup In Sever!

You haven’t read the page about OpenVPN, nor anything I’ve written. You’re wrong. Once again: You cannot connect to an OpenVPN server (this is a specific kind of VPN server not covered in the video you linked) without a 3rd party VPN client.

 

[satcomer]

You haven’t read the page about OpenVPN, nor anything I’ve written. You’re wrong. Once again: You cannot connect to an OpenVPN server (this is a specific kind of VPN server not covered in the video you linked) without a 3rd party VPN client.

I’m not wrong the Mac VPN is a client setup! Even the video he connected to his sever that way!

 

[TheIntruder]

I’m not wrong the Mac VPN is a client setup! Even the video he connected to his sever that way!

Keep digging your own hole.

The native VPN client in macOS doesn't support OpenVPN's protocol, and it has no way of communicating in that tongue.

If it could, it would appear as one of the choices in the pop up at 0:44 in the video.

The fact that it can understand other VPN protocols is irrelevant, and of no use to the OP.

A person who speaks English, French and German can act as a translator, but of no use to someone who needs them to converse in Japanese.

 

[satcomer]

Keep digging your own hole.

The native VPN client in macOS doesn't support OpenVPN's protocol, and it has no way of communicating in that tongue.

If it could, it would appear as one of the choices in the pop up at 0:44 in the video.

The fact that it can understand other VPN protocols is irrelevant, and of no use to the OP.

A person who speaks English, French and German can act as a translator, but of no use to someone who needs them to converse in Japanese.

Yes it is? The man in the video connected using it to his sever! If you watch that video at all you would saw that!

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Has it ever occurred to you that the video is possibly a fake? Or do you believe everything on the Internet without question?

 

[chrfr]

Has it ever occurred to you that the video is possibly a fake? Or do you believe everything on the Internet without question?

They don’t see the difference between OpenVPN protocol and any of the ones built into macOS, and won’t pay any attention to anything anyone else says.
The video accurately describes how to connect to an L2TP VPN, which is totally irrelevant for this particular topic.

 

[tizeye]

I use OpenVPN from private server like you describe and so quirky, hit or miss, almost wonder if should subscribe to a commercial VPN. Primarily set up for remote viewing of security cameras as log into my home network, but VPN capabilities expand far beyond that. Loved it from overseas where thought I was in States and foreign blocks on programing suddenly wasn't as thought I was back in the States. My home computer is the server with the Asus router creating the OpenVPN and client protocol file. On the Mac, Tunnelblick client software. Simple setup, simply load the client file created by the router into Tunnelblick...done.
Worked fine initially, but after OS updates, Tunnelblick version updates, and Asus firmware updates has become a hit or miss. Now get an error message in Tunnelblick of obsolete protocol language which caused me to check for firmware update but that didn't resolve either. Resolved with some manual editing of client file (common problem from internet search) which worked until the next version update of Tunnelblick. GRRRRR! But the biggest problem is, some locations refuse to establish the tunnel. While Starbucks are OK, my work server as well as some public servers like the local library refuse the connection. Appears to be more than the IT department putting port blocks as I re-programmed my port designation to the secure 443 and still the problem. Probably the biggest frustration was when returned to daughter's in Switzerland (and due to physical distance couldn't troubleshoot to resolve, and what worked the prior year, suddenly only response that her IP provider, Swiss Telecom, connection status was good. Apparently we both used the same IP address (I never changed my system from default which is somewhat universal).
That is how you set it up to your private server, but having it work consistently is the issue.

 

[imrazor]

@tizeye My setup is a little different than yours. My VPN is not setup on the router, but rather a VM. My home router port forwards the VPN traffic (from a non-standard port) to the VM, which then provides access to both an internal 'virtual' network, the Internet and my physical home network.

I've only had two real reliability problems with this setup. After initial setup, the connection kept dropping. It turned out that using a paravirtualized NIC wasn't a good idea with FreeBSD, so I had to switch to full hardware emulation to prevent packets from getting dropped. The other issue was a hosed pfSense update. That could have been entirely avoided if I had taken a snapshot of the VM before updating. Lesson learned...

 

[BrianBaughn]

One reason Apple doesn't include an OpenVPN client setup might be the frequency of patches such software needs. Windows is constantly updating and Mac updates are few and far between.

 

[mmomega]

Viscosity

then the OpenVPN client export tool in pfsense

 

[Erehy Dobon]

They don’t see the difference between OpenVPN protocol and any of the ones built into macOS, and won’t pay any attention to anything anyone else says.
The video accurately describes how to connect to an L2TP VPN, which is totally irrelevant for this particular topic.

Sadly, there is nothing that can be done to help adults with poor reading comprehension. They exhibit the fault regularly because inherently they are sloppy thinkers.

We have witnessed here that despite repeated, very clear explanations, some people simply don't have the mental capacity to understand basic written language.

Explaining things to this type of people is a fruitless time sink.

Anyhow, Tunnelblick works fine for me for connecting to an OpenVPN service provider. On my iDevices, I use the official OpenVPN clients.

 

[iliyan61]

Yes it is? The man in the video connected using it to his sever! If you watch that video at all you would saw that!

you don't understand how VPN's work and the fact there there's tons of different protocols for them to use. MACOS DOES NOT SUPPORT THE OPENVPN PROTOCOL NATIVELY. HE SHOWED L2TP WHICH IS DIFFERENT.