Skip to main content
Connecting from China How to connect to Surfshark on macOS from China using WireGuard® manual connection How to connect to Surfshark on iOS from China using WireGuard® manual connection How to connect to Surfshark on Android from China using WireGuard® manual connection How to connect to Surfshark on Windows from China using WireGuard® manual connection

How to connect to Surfshark on macOS from China using WireGuard® manual connection

Updated:

Illustration of a computer with Wi-Fi, lock, and Apple icons on a map

 

In this tutorial, you will learn how to set up a manual WireGuard® connection on your macOS device.

 

For any manual WireGuard® connection, you first need an active Surfshark subscription. You can find the available plans on Surfshark’s pricing page.

 

 Get your key pair


There are two ways we can go from here. You might have generated a key pair, and you'll be able to use it. Or, we will have to generate one.

If you have a key pair already, continue the tutorial as usual. If you do not, you should move on to the I don’t have a key pair section.

I have a key pair

  1. Go to Surfshark's login page and log in. Then, visit VPN > Manual setup. Choose the Desktop or mobile option and click on WireGuard.
    Manual setup Choose a protocol with WireGuard highlighted

  2. In the next window, click on I have a key pair.
    WireGuard Connect key pair with I have a key pair highlighted

  3. Name your key pair and click Next.
    Name this key pair form with the Next button highlighted

  4. Enter your public key and hit Save.
    WireGuard public key field with the Save button highlighted

I don't have a key pair

  1. Go to Surfshark's login page and log in. Then, visit VPN > Manual setup. Choose the Desktop or mobile option and click on WireGuard.
    Manual setup Choose a protocol with WireGuard highlighted

  2. In the next window, click on I don't have a key pair.
    WireGuard Connect key pair with I don't have a key pair highlighted

  3. Name your new key pair.
    Name this key pair form with the Next button highlighted

  4. Click on Generate a new key pair.

    NOTE: Copy and store the generated key pairs on your device. You will not be able to check them here again.
    WireGuard screen with Generate a new key pair highlighted 

Choose a Surfshark server

Once you have your key pair, you should see a Choose a location button. Click on it. Here, you'll find the list of available locations to connect to. Select one and hit the download button.
Generated key pair with the Choose a location button highlighted
WireGuard Locations tab with the Fastest server download icon highlighted
Download configuration files for Belgium Brussels with Download highlighted

 

Download WireGuard® and connect to the VPN

  1. Open the App Store on your macOS device, type in WireGuard in the search field, and install the WireGuard application. 
    Mac App Store WireGuard listing with the INSTALL button highlighted
     
  2. Once the installation is complete, open the WireGuard application.
    Manage WireGuard Tunnels window with Import tunnel(s) from file
  3. In the WireGuard application, click on Import tunnel(s) from file.Manage WireGuard Tunnels with Import tunnel(s) from file highlighted
     
  4. Now select the Surfshark configuration file you downloaded earlier and hit Import.
    Downloads file picker with a Surfshark conf file and Import highlighted

  5. In the next pop-up, click Allow.
    VPN configuration prompt with Allow highlighted
     
  6. You can rename this uploaded connection to your liking. To do so, simply click Edit. I'll name it Surfshark WireGuard.
     
    NOTE: Once you click Edit, you will need to enter your Keychain password, which is your regular macOS device password.
    Imported tunnel details with the Edit button highlighted
    Tunnel editor named Surfshark WireGuard with Save highlighted
     
  7. Lastly, to connect to the VPN, click Activate, and to disconnect from the VPN, click Deactivate.
    Surfshark WireGuard tunnel with the Activate button highlighted

  

Ensure the connection is successful

 

We always recommend checking if Surfshark VPN is working after setting it up for the first time. You can easily do it by performing Surfshark IP leak test and a DNS leak test. For your convenience, both are available on our website.




You may also be interested in:

Was this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback!