How to Download Surfshark VPN on Mac?
Last updated
Last updated
In today’s digital age, protecting your online privacy and security has become paramount. With hackers, data trackers, and geo-restrictions becoming increasingly common, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have emerged as essential tools for internet users worldwide. Among the many VPN providers available, Surfshark VPN stands out for its robust security, user-friendly interface, and excellent performance. If you are a Mac user looking to download and install Surfshark VPN, this guide will walk you through every step to get you connected quickly and safely.
Before exploring the downloading process, it is important to understand why Surfshark VPN is a top choice for Mac users:
Strong Security and Privacy: Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption, the highest standard for data protection. It also adheres to a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your browsing activity is never recorded.
Easy-to-Use App: The Surfshark Mac app is designed with a clean, intuitive interface, making it simple for both beginners and advanced users to secure their internet connection.
Fast and Reliable: Thanks to modern VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, Surfshark offers fast speeds ideal for streaming, gaming, and browsing without interruptions.
Bypass Geo-Restrictions: Surfshark allows you to access content from all over the world, including popular streaming services that might be restricted in your region.
Additional Features: Surfshark includes MultiHop (double VPN), CleanWeb (ad and malware blocker), Whitelister (split tunneling), and a kill switch to maintain your security even if the VPN connection drops.
Unlimited Devices: One Surfshark subscription lets you secure unlimited devices, including your Mac, iPhone, Windows PC, Android devices, and more.
Before downloading Surfshark on your Mac, make sure your system meets the following requirements:
MacOS version 10.12 (Sierra) or higher.
Stable internet connection for downloading and using the VPN.
Available storage space for installation (typically less than 100 MB).
A valid Surfshark subscription (you can sign up on another device or through their website if you haven’t already).
Open the Safari browser or any other browser you prefer on your Mac. Navigate to the official Surfshark website to access the Mac VPN download file. It’s important to always download software from the official source to avoid fake or malicious apps.
On the Surfshark homepage, look for the Apps or Downloads section. This area lists all supported platforms. Click on the Mac icon or the option labeled Download for Mac.
Click the Download button to start downloading the Surfshark VPN installer file for Mac. The file will typically be a .dmg (disk image) file named something like SurfsharkVPN.dmg. Depending on your internet speed, this may take a few moments.
Once the download is complete, locate the .dmg file in your Downloads folder or wherever your browser saves files. Double-click the .dmg file to open it. This will mount a virtual disk on your Mac, which appears as a new window showing the Surfshark app icon.
Drag the Surfshark icon into the Applications folder shortcut in the same window. This copies the app to your Applications directory, making it accessible like any other installed Mac software.
Navigate to the Applications folder and double-click the Surfshark app to open it. The first time you open the app, you may see a warning message stating that the app was downloaded from the internet. Click Open to proceed.
For Surfshark to work properly, you might need to grant some permissions:
System Extension: MacOS may ask you to allow a system extension to enable the VPN tunnel. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy, then under the General tab, click Allow next to the message about the Surfshark extension.
Network Permissions: You may be prompted to enter your Mac password to approve these changes.
These steps ensure Surfshark can create a secure VPN tunnel and encrypt your traffic.
After launching the app and granting permissions, you’ll see the Surfshark login screen.
Enter the email address and password associated with your Surfshark subscription.
If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one on another device or browser.
After logging in, the app will load the dashboard with options to connect to VPN servers.
You can use the Quick Connect button to automatically connect to the fastest and nearest server.
Alternatively, browse through the list of countries and servers to select a specific location for your VPN connection.
Click Connect, and within seconds, your internet traffic will be encrypted and routed through the chosen VPN server.
Surfshark offers several features you can customize to improve your VPN experience:
Kill Switch: Automatically blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, protecting your real IP address from exposure.
CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware across all your browsing activities.
Whitelister (Split Tunneling): Allows certain apps or websites to bypass the VPN, useful for accessing local network devices or sites that block VPN traffic.
Auto-Connect: Configure Surfshark to connect automatically when your Mac starts or when joining unsecured networks.
MultiHop: For extra security, route your traffic through two different VPN servers.
You can find and adjust these settings from the app’s Preferences or Settings menu.
Keep your Surfshark app updated to benefit from the latest security patches and new features.
Connect to the nearest server for better speeds unless you want to access geo-restricted content.
Use MultiHop sparingly as it can slow down your connection but provides extra anonymity.
Enable CleanWeb to reduce annoying ads and improve your browsing speed and security.
Check your IP address after connecting by visiting IP verification websites to confirm that the VPN is working correctly.
Even with an excellent VPN like Surfshark, you might encounter occasional problems. Here are some common issues and solutions:
Ensure your internet connection is active.
Switch to a different server location.
Restart the Surfshark app or your Mac.
Check for macOS updates and install them.
Reinstall the Surfshark app if problems persist.
If Surfshark cannot enable the VPN connection due to permissions:
Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General.
Look for an “Allow” button regarding Surfshark’s system extension.
Click Allow, then restart the app.
Change VPN servers to one closer to your physical location.
Switch VPN protocols in Surfshark settings (WireGuard is generally fastest).
Close background apps consuming bandwidth.
If you ever want to uninstall Surfshark from your Mac:
Open the Applications folder.
Find the Surfshark app.
Drag the Surfshark icon to the Trash or right-click and select Move to Trash.
Empty the Trash to fully remove the application.
Optionally, you can remove VPN profiles from System Preferences > Network.
Downloading and installing Surfshark VPN on a Mac is a straightforward process that significantly enhances your online privacy and security. By following the step-by-step guide above, you can quickly set up Surfshark VPN and start protecting your internet traffic from hackers, surveillance, and geo-blocks.