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How to set up a VPN on a Mac

Choose your connection method below and follow the steps. macOS asks you to allow the VPN configuration the first time an app adds one.

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  1. You
  2. Your device
  3. b4vpn
  4. Secure connection

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Which device are you setting up?

Everything below follows this choice, so you only ever see one guide at a time.

1Choose your device
2Choose your method

Guides for macOS

Pick the method you are setting up. Each one has its own step-by-step guide.

3Follow the guide

L2TP/IPsec on macOS

Follow the steps in order. It takes a few minutes the first time, and nothing after that.

All downloads for macOS

Setup

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Open your VPN settings

    macOS can make this connection on its own, so there is nothing to install. Open the VPN section of your device settings.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Add an L2TP/IPsec connection

    Create a new VPN connection and choose the L2TP/IPsec type. Name it whatever you like — b4vpn is the obvious choice.

    Screenshot coming soon
  3. 3

    Step 3

    Fill in your b4vpn details

    Enter the values from your account. Anything the form asks for that is not listed here can stay at its default.

    What you will be asked for

    Server address
    From your account
    Username
    From your account
    Password
    From your account
    Pre-shared key (IPsec)
    From your account

    These come from your b4vpn account — they are never published on this page.

Connection

  1. 4

    Step 4

    Save the connection

    Save it. macOS keeps the connection in its VPN list, so you only do this once.

  2. 5

    Step 5

    Connect

    Select the connection you just created and switch it on.

    Screenshot coming soon
  3. 6

    Step 6

    Check that it worked

    Your device shows its VPN indicator while the connection is up. Open any page to confirm traffic is flowing.

These steps describe the process for this kind of app. Button names can differ slightly between apps and versions, and your connection details come from your account.

Connected?

That is everything. If any step did not go as described, the answers below cover what usually causes it.

TroubleshootingChoose another method
Troubleshooting

If something does not work

The five things that account for most of it, and what to try first.

  • Check the details were entered exactly as issued — a missing character is the usual cause. If they are right, try another method for your device: when one is blocked on a network, another often is not.

  • Make sure you downloaded the file for your own platform, and that your device is set to allow installing it. Where a store version exists, that is the simplest route on phones.

  • Speed depends on your network and the method in use. Try a different method, or a different b4vpn location, before assuming the account is at fault.

  • Configurations are easy to truncate when copying. Copy it again in full, with no added spaces or line breaks, and paste it straight into the app.

  • Some networks close idle VPN sessions. Reconnect, and if it keeps happening, tell support which method and which network you are on.

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