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Using VPN connection on Mac

Change Agent

Change Agent

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 24, 2018
208
16
In the system settings one can set up a VPN. Is this a build in Apple feature, or does one need to have a count with a VPN.

The instructions from Apple seem to be not covering this. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlp2963/mac

I got here as I wanted to get a subscription to Cyber Ghost and saw they not support not support OS14. Chatting with them the offer trouble shooting tips. That does not make me happy.

Any thoughts or tips?
 
Change Agent said:
Is this a build in Apple feature, or does one need to have a count with a VPN.
Click to expand...
Mac VPN only provide client side config. You can subscribe to a VPN service and configure Mac VPN to connect to service, or you can provide your own VPN service running on router/PC/network and configure Mac VPN to connect to your service.
 
I use Mullvad VPN.

And the comments about other VPN's (not Mullvad) having problems with OS 14 are interesting, because I started having problems with Mullvad as well (using 14.4 on a 2021 MBP Pro).

I tried removing Mullvad, then downloading the latest version, then re-installing...
More than once.
Still no good.

The solution that seems to be working (for now) was to use LAST YEAR'S version of the Mullvad VPN app. Luckily, I saved a copy. It doesn't seem to be accessible on their website.

But again, the root of the problems (with these VPNs) seems to be deep inside Sonoma itself.
Apple changed something, and (as usual) they won't say what...
 
Change Agent said:
In the system settings one can set up a VPN. Is this a build in Apple feature, or does one need to have a count with a VPN.

The instructions from Apple seem to be not covering this. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlp2963/mac

I got here as I wanted to get a subscription to Cyber Ghost and saw they not support not support OS14. Chatting with them the offer trouble shooting tips. That does not make me happy.

Any thoughts or tips?
Click to expand...
I don't trust any VPN, but if you still want to use one I only recommend Proton VPN or Mullvad VPN.
 
Fishrrman said:
I use Mullvad VPN.

And the comments about other VPN's (not Mullvad) having problems with OS 14 are interesting, because I started having problems with Mullvad as well (using 14.4 on a 2021 MBP Pro).

I tried removing Mullvad, then downloading the latest version, then re-installing...
More than once.
Still no good.
Click to expand...

Have you followed advices on this page?
mullvad.net

Install app on macOS

How to install and uninstall the Mullvad VPN app on macOS.
mullvad.net mullvad.net

Uninstaller is here : /Applications/Mullvad\ VPN.app/Contents/Resources/uninstall.sh

Mullvad 2024.1 is working perfectly with Sonoma 14.4.1.
 
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Mike57000 said:
Have you followed advices on this page?
mullvad.net

Install app on macOS

How to install and uninstall the Mullvad VPN app on macOS.
mullvad.net mullvad.net

Uninstaller is here : /Applications/Mullvad\ VPN.app/Contents/Resources/uninstall.sh

Mullvad 2024.1 is working perfectly with Sonoma 14.4.1.
Click to expand...
Same here. Zero issues with Mullvad (using their menubar app) 2024.1 on Sonoma 14.4.1
 
bogdanw said:
On the same page, right above the download button, it says "Compatible with any version above High Sierra (10.13)"
I've installed it on Sonoma 14.4.1 (23E224) and it works.
Click to expand...
I just talked to them and they said there are problems. and see my earlier post about Mac OS supported. Os 14 is not there.
 
Mike wrote:
"Have you followed advices on this page?"

I looked at that page, and you'll note it only goes up to Ventura.
Somewhere else I saw a post from Mullvad saying that they cautioned against using Sonoma for a while (but that post was also several months old).

My older version of Mullvad VPN app works (version 2023.3).
It prompts for an upgrade, but I've been through that (see above)

I'll use "what works" for me now, and let it go at that.
 
Change Agent said:
The instructions from Apple seem to be not covering this. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlp2963/mac
Click to expand...
This causes much confusion.

The inbuilt VPN protocols (IPSec, IKEv2) are for connection to enterprise VPN servers. This enables the local Mac/PC to make network connection within the enterprise internal network.

Most 'Consumer/personal' VPN services use Wireguard or OpenVPN protocols and require the provider's VPN client app. A few do accept connections using IKEv2, but even then the provider's app is often required. In all cases the provider's (not Apple's) documentation needs to be followed.

I use PIA (Private Internet Access) with which I have been happy. After a few years in the doldrums, the PIA Mac client has recently been getting serious attention including application level split tunnelling working with macOS 14.

Whoever you choose, make sure you have a provider that supports macOS 14 and is known for keeping the client working through major macOS upgrades.
 
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Fishrrman said:
I looked at that page, and you'll note it only goes up to Ventura.
Somewhere else I saw a post from Mullvad saying that they cautioned against using Sonoma for a while (but that post was also several months old).

My older version of Mullvad VPN app works (version 2023.3).
It prompts for an upgrade, but I've been through that (see above)

I'll use "what works" for me now, and let it go at that.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that info.
 
gilby101 said:
I use PIA (Private Internet Access) with which I have been happy. After a few years in the doldrums, the PIA Mac client has recently been getting serious attention including application level split tunnelling working with macOS 14.
Click to expand...
Never heard of them will look in to it. Thanks.
 
Change Agent said:
I just talked to them and they said there are problems. and see my earlier post about Mac OS supported. Os 14 is not there.
Click to expand...
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t recommend CyberGhost. They clearly have no idea how to provide customer support for macOS. Even if the app didn’t work, users can download OpenVPN profiles and use them on any macOS version with Tunnelblick or any other app. https://support.cyberghostvpn.com/h...25-How-to-Set-Up-OpenVPN-on-macOS-Tunnelblick

For casual use, I recommend the free options from Windscribe and TunnelBear
Windscribe https://windscribe.com
"Free plan provides 10 GB of data per month (if you confirm your email address)"
TunnelBear VPN https://www.tunnelbear.com
"Free 2GB of secure browsing"
 
Recently installed NordVPN and I can recommend it – it's working well on my Mac, iPhone and iPad (helped me snag some advance dining reservations), with a dedicated app that integrates nicely with each OS.
 
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orbital~debris said:
Recently installed NordVPN and I can recommend it – it's working well on my Mac, iPhone and iPad (helped me snag some advance dining reservations), with a dedicated app that integrates nicely with each OS.
Click to expand...
I also recently switched to NordVPN — my previous VPN stopped working after upgrading to Sonoma. My first impression of Nord was good: it's easy to use and the connection is stable.

But over time, a problem came up — some websites just won’t load. A couple of them don’t work without a VPN. It feels like these sites somehow restrict access for certain IP ranges. I hadn’t encountered this before, and now I’m considering looking for another VPN, since this kind of issue makes regular use a bit frustrating.
 
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WebSalmon said:
I also recently switched to NordVPN — my previous VPN stopped working after upgrading to Sonoma. My first impression of Nord was good: it's easy to use and the connection is stable.

But over time, a problem came up — some websites just won’t load. A couple of them don’t work without a VPN. It feels like these sites somehow restrict access for certain IP ranges. I hadn’t encountered this before, and now I’m considering looking for another VPN, since this kind of issue makes regular use a bit frustrating.
Click to expand...

Wonder if that’s something NordVPN support would be interested in/able to help with?

Also did you try reinstalling? Just thinking something might have become misconfigured over time, with software updates etc.

Hope you get it sorted.
 
WebSalmon said:
It feels like these sites somehow restrict access for certain IP ranges.
Click to expand...
Yes. Welcome to the world of VPNs. There can be many reasons, e.g.:
a) The web site objects to you using a VPN and attempts to block it by IP address. Before looking at other VPN providers who may have the same problem, you could try a different NordVPN server which might not be blocked.
b) The IP address that NordVPN provides is shared my many many users and the web site may be seeing lots of connection in a short time period from that address. In this case it may be a temporary block put in place by their denial of service protection. You can wait a bit and try again. This can also be alleviated by getting (and paying for) a fixed IP address from NordVPN.
These comments apply to any of the "consumer" VPN services. I use PIA when I need one.
 
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I abandoned it. I was using it abroad and it gave me all kind of headaches. And no connections most of the time on top of that.
 
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