How to set up Surfshark VPN on macOS

NOTE: The video above reflects an older version of Surfshark and will be updated in the future.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to install the Surfshark VPN macOS app on your device.

You will need a macOS device running macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later and an active Surfshark subscription. Don't have a Surfshark subscription yet? Get it on the Surfshark pricing page.
 
NOTE: If you are using an older macOS version, check our article on Surfshark macOS support.

Install the Surfshark app

1. Find the Surfshark VPN app in the App Store. One way to do that is to open the App Store on your Mac and search for Surfshark using the search bar. Alternatively, you can get Surfshark for macOS from the App Store page:
   
   
2. Click the get button:
   
   
   
3. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. Once the installation is complete, click open:
   

Log into the app

1. Open the app. First, you will need to press log in:
   
   
   
2. Enter the email address you used when registering and your password. Click log in:
   
   
   

Connect to the VPN

1. On the Surfshark app homepage, tap Connect, and the app will connect you to the fastest VPN server available:
   
   
   
2. You will get a pop-up as in the picture below. Enter your Mac User password (the one you would use to unlock your Mac) and choose always allow.
   
   When connecting the first time, Surfshark will need to add VPN configurations to your device. That is necessary so that Surfshark would be able to create and maintain the VPN connection on your device.
   
   
   
3.  If your connection was successful, you should see the connected status. To disconnect, click the disconnect button. To pause the connection, click pause:
   
   
   
4. You can switch your default quick-connect server to a server of your choice by pressing change:
   
   
   Choose the fastest server or the nearest country, or scroll down and pick a server from the locations list:
   
   
   

Manage Surfshark locations

Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Choose a server, click on it, and you'll be connected.

1. You will find the list of Surfshark locations on the left side of your Surfshark app. Use the search bar or scroll down until you find the location you need. Click the flag icon, and the app will instantly connect to that location.
   
   
   
2. If you want Surfshark to remember your favorite locations, press the star on the right side:
   
   
   This server will now appear in the list of your favorite servers:
   
   
   
3. You may have noticed Static IP, Dedicated IP and MultiHop tabs at the top.
   
   
   Here’s what they do:
   Static IP – you will get the same IP address each time you connect to the Static IP servers.
   
   MultiHop – you will be connected through two different VPN servers. You can also choose both of these servers.
   
   Dedicated IP – you will have a dedicated IP address that is yours only. You have to purchase it separately.
   

Manage Surfshark settings

You can customize the Surfshark app according to your preferences.

Go to the settings page of your Surfshark app to access all the necessary settings and features:

Select app settings:

Here, you can do the following:

• Enable dark mode.
  
• Change the app language.
  
• See the current app version.
• Configure the Notifications settings and send crash reports.
  
• Choose whether the Surfshark icon appears in the dock or the status bar.
  
• Select whether the app launches on startup.

In VPN Settings, you can make some more advanced changes:

Here, you can do the following:

• Enable Auto-connect.
• Configure which server you connect via the Quick-connect feature.
  
• Change the connection protocol.
  
• Enable CleanWeb. It’s a feature that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts.
  
• Enable KillSwitch. It's a feature that protects you from unexpected VPN disconnections.
  
• Enable or disable the NoBorders. It’s a feature that helps you connect in network-restrictive environments.
  
• Enable the Rotating IP. This feature changes your IP address to the chosen location every 5 to 10 minutes without disconnecting from the VPN.
  
• Enable Discover on LAN (or Invisible on LAN in older app versions). This feature makes your device undetectable by other devices on the same network.

Click my account.

Here, you can do the following:

• Check your current subscription plan.
  
• Delete your account.
  
• Change your password.
  
• Enter login code.

Lastly, click on get help:

Here, you can:

• Enter our Help Center by pressing Browse guides.
  
• Read our Privacy policy and Terms of service.
  
• Reset VPN profile when experiencing issues with connectivity.
  
• Send diagnostics to the support team.
  
  

Manage Surfshark features

On the left side of the app, you can see 4 additional Surfshark features. You must have an active Surfshark ONE subscription to use them:


Here, you can find the following:

• Surfshark Alert – a tool that alerts you immediately if your personal information (such as email, identification number, or credit card details) appears in breached online databases.
  
  
• Surfshark Search –  a tool that helps you search without leaving a trace. It offers purely organic search results and prevents tracking and targeted ads.
  
  
• Surfshark Antivirus – a tool that protects your device from viruses and malware (malicious software). It offers real-time protection, performs scans, and more.
  
  
• Alternative ID – a tool that generates a brand-new identity and an email to use online. Provides name & email protection, reduces spam emails, and more.

Ensure your connection is successful

Let’s see if your connection is successful after setting up a VPN. You can do it by performing an IP leak test and a DNS leak test on our website.

You may also be interested in:

• How to make sure if Surfshark VPN is working
• How to enable 2FA on your Surfshark account
• What speed can I expect with your VPN? Are there any bandwidth limitations?