Mac setup

Set up TekLan VPN on Mac

Install the TekLan VPN app from the Mac App Store, sign in and connect. Or create a WireGuard or OpenVPN configuration in the Dashboard and import it into the matching macOS app.

MacBook AirMacBook ProiMaciMac ProMac miniMac StudioMac Pro

This guide applies to Apple silicon and Intel Macs. The steps are the same across Mac models, although wording and permission prompts can vary slightly by macOS version.

Mac App Store
Version 4.5.0
Download on the Mac App Store
Mac Connect screen: connected in London, with protected IP, connection time and data totals

Set it up

Choose how to connect

TekLan VPN app for Mac

Install from the Mac App Store

TekLan VPN runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 14 Sonoma or later, with WireGuard and OpenVPN built in and no configuration file to import.

Current version: 4.5.0 · What the app does

Before you begin

  • Update this Mac to macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
  • Have your TekLan VPN email address and password ready.
  • Allow the app to add a VPN configuration when macOS asks.

Steps

Install and sign in

  1. Open TekLan VPN on the Mac App Store and select Get, then Install.
  2. Open TekLan VPN and sign in with your TekLan VPN email address and password, or with Sign in with Apple if it is linked to your account.

Connect

  1. Select Locations and choose where you want to appear to be. Search by city or country to find one quickly.
    Mac app Locations screen: a search box and a list of locations with their ping
    Pick a location from the list.
  2. Go back to Connect and select the power button. The first time, macOS asks to add a VPN configuration: select Allow and enter your Mac password or use Touch ID.
    Mac app Connect screen showing Connected, with the selected location, protected IP, connection time and data totals
    Connected, with the details of your connection.
Download on the Mac App Store

Check the connection

  1. Confirm the TekLan VPN app reports Connected.
  2. Open a browser and confirm the public IP address changes.
  3. Disconnect in the app and confirm normal internet access returns.

If it does not connect

  • Disconnect any other VPN application.
  • Approve the macOS VPN permission if it appears again.
  • Sign out, quit the app and sign in again.
  • Use the WireGuard or OpenVPN route meanwhile.

Still stuck? See the help articles, or open a support ticket with the exact error you see.

WireGuard for Mac

Create and import a WireGuard tunnel

The Dashboard creates a dedicated .conf file for this Mac.

Before you begin

  • Install the official WireGuard application for Mac.
  • Have your TekLan VPN email address and password ready.
  • Allow the application to save and import a .conf file.

Move the WireGuard profile to this device

After creating the profile, choose the delivery route that suits where the Dashboard is open.

  • Download profile: save the .conf file on the device you are setting up.
  • Email: select Send profile, then Send email. The Dashboard sends the .conf attachment to your account email address.
  • Device access code: select Send profile, then Get code. On the device you are setting up, open dash.teklanvpn.com/get, enter the code and select Download profile. The code expires after 15 minutes and works once. Generating another code replaces it.
Send VPN profile window: Send email to the account address, and a one-time device access code to enter at dash.teklanvpn.com/get
Send profile: email the file, or get a one-time code.

Steps

Create the profile

  1. Sign in to the client area, open your active VPN service and select Manage VPN Dashboard.
  2. Select Add device.
    Devices page in the TekLan VPN Dashboard with the Add device button above the list of devices
    Add device starts a new profile.
  3. Type a name you will recognise for this computer and select Continue.
    New VPN profile, step 1 of 4: the profile name box
    One profile for each device.
  4. Keep Best available location or pick a location, choose WireGuard and select Continue.
    New VPN profile, Location step: a VPN location menu and WireGuard selected as the protocol
    Choose WireGuard.
  5. Select Continue again (the advanced options can stay as they are), check the summary and select Create VPN profile.
    New VPN profile, Review step: name, location, protocol and network, with the Create VPN profile button
    Check the details, then create the profile.
  6. When the profile shows Ready, select Set up this device, choose your computer and select Download profile. Your browser saves a .conf file.
    Connect this device window with Windows selected and the Download profile and Send profile buttons
    Download profile saves the WireGuard file.

Import and connect

  1. Install WireGuard from the Mac App Store if you have not already.
  2. Open WireGuard, select Import tunnel(s) from file and choose the .conf file you downloaded.
  3. Allow macOS to add the VPN configuration, then select Activate.

Check the connection

  1. Confirm the imported WireGuard tunnel remains switched on.
  2. Check that the operating system VPN indicator appears where supported.
  3. Open a browser and confirm the public IP address changes.
  4. Switch the tunnel off and confirm normal internet access returns.

If it does not connect

  • Disconnect any other active VPN application or tunnel.
  • Delete the failed tunnel and import a newly generated .conf file.
  • Confirm the system date and time are correct.
  • Note the exact WireGuard error before opening a support ticket.

Still stuck? See the help articles, or open a support ticket with the exact error you see.

OpenVPN for Mac

Import an OpenVPN profile

Before you begin

  • Install OpenVPN Connect on Mac.
  • Have your TekLan VPN email address and password ready.
  • Allow the application to save and import an .ovpn file.

Move the OpenVPN profile to this device

  • Download profile: save the .ovpn file on the device you are setting up.
  • Email: select Send profile, then Send email. The Dashboard sends the .ovpn attachment to your account email address.
  • OpenVPN credentials: select Show OpenVPN credentials and keep the displayed profile username and password available. The password unlocks the private key inside the file. It is not your TekLan VPN password.

Steps

  1. Download and install OpenVPN Connect for macOS.
  2. In the client area, open your active VPN service and select Manage VPN Dashboard. Select Add device, name the device, choose OpenVPN on the Location step and create the profile.
    Selecting OpenVPN in the Dashboard
    Choose OpenVPN.
  3. Select Set up this device on the profile and choose Mac.
    Mac connection options and steps in the Dashboard
    Choose Mac, then download, show credentials or send the profile.
  4. Choose Download profile, or use Send profile to deliver it to the Mac.
  5. In OpenVPN Connect, go to Menu → My Profiles → Add → Upload File and select the .ovpn file.
  6. Confirm the import. If asked for the private-key password, use Show OpenVPN credentials in the Dashboard.
  7. Toggle the imported profile to connect.

Check the connection

  1. Confirm OpenVPN Connect reports the imported profile as Connected.
  2. Check that the operating system VPN indicator appears where supported.
  3. Open a browser and confirm the public IP address changes.
  4. Disconnect the profile and confirm normal internet access returns.

If it does not connect

  • Use Show OpenVPN credentials in the Dashboard if the app requests the private-key password.
  • Disconnect another active VPN before retrying.
  • Delete the failed profile and import a newly downloaded .ovpn file.
  • Note the exact OpenVPN error before opening a support ticket.

Still stuck? See the help articles, or open a support ticket with the exact error you see.

Helpful answers

Features

What TekLan VPN for Mac does

A native Mac app for Apple silicon and Intel, with WireGuard and OpenVPN built in.

  • WireGuard and OpenVPN

    Both protocols are built in, so there is no profile to import.

  • Locations worldwide

    Choose a city from our worldwide network. Each location shows its city first, then its country.

  • Live connection details

    Data received and sent, connection time and your protected IP, updated while you are connected.

  • Bypass

    Leave chosen websites, IP addresses or ranges outside the VPN, for a bank or service that blocks VPNs. Up to 50 entries.

  • Leak test

    Check that your IP address and DNS requests stay inside the VPN. On the DNS page.

  • DNS lookup

    Look up a website’s address through the VPN’s DNS to see what it answers.

  • Local network access

    Keep printers, casting and other devices on your home network reachable while connected.

  • Dedicated IP

    If you have a private server or dedicated IP, it is listed first under “Your private servers”, with its IP address.

  • Menu bar control

    Connect, disconnect and check your connection from the Mac menu bar.

  • Control Center button

    Connect or disconnect from Control Center without opening the app. Needs macOS 26.

  • Sign in with Apple

    Sign in with your Apple Account, or with your TekLan VPN email address and password.

  • Subscribe in the app

    Subscribe or restore purchases in the app, billed by Apple. One subscription covers iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

  • Your language

    English, German, Spanish and French, following your device’s language.

Screenshots

See the app

Mac Connect screen: connected in London, with protected IP, connection time and data totals
Mac Locations screen: a searchable list of cities with their ping
Mac VPN settings: protocol, DNS, ad blocker, local network access and Bypass
Mac Settings: VPN settings, speed test, theme and language
Mac Connect screen in dark mode
Mac Locations screen in dark mode
Mac Settings in dark mode
Requirements

What you need

  • A Mac with Apple silicon or Intel, on macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
  • A TekLan VPN plan, or subscribe in the app.
  • Allow the VPN configuration when macOS asks the first time.
Questions

Frequently asked

Does it work on Intel Macs?

Yes. The Mac app runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs with macOS 14 Sonoma or later.

Is there a separate download outside the Mac App Store?

No. Install the app from the Mac App Store, or use the WireGuard or OpenVPN route in the Mac setup guide.

Do I need a separate subscription for each app?

No. One TekLan VPN plan covers every app; each device uses one of your plan’s connections while it is connected.

Where are the servers?

Worldwide. The app lists every location your plan includes, and you can switch whenever you like.

Other TekLan VPN apps

Computers
LinuxDashboard configuration for Linux ChromebookChrome extension, OpenVPN or WireGuard Steam DeckImport WireGuard directly in SteamOS Desktop Mode Raspberry PiUse the Linux WireGuard or OpenVPN 3 route WindowsTekLan VPN app or Dashboard configuration

All setup guides