How to set up a VPN virtual router on your Mac in 2025

A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic. Creating a virtual router on your Mac gives you the ability to secure all your devices. This is useful for users who want to share a VPN subscription with their friends or family. As VPNs provide limited simultaneous connections, you can connect all your devices with a single slot.

On top of that, it helps in securing devices that do not support VPNs or provide a native VPN app. You can install and use VPNs on Roku, Smart TV, and gaming consoles by connecting them to a virtual router created on a Mac.

This article will discuss the methods to create a virtual router on your Mac. I will also mention the best VPNs and the advantages of creating a VPN-enabled virtual router on a Mac.

How to turn your Mac into a Virtual Router: Easy Steps

Creating a virtual router on your VPN allows you to secure all your devices without installing the VPN app individually on them. Most VPN providers offer a fully featured VPN app for Mac, which we will use for this process.

Another point to consider is that various VPN protocols can be used to set up a virtual router on a Mac. I will outline all the necessary steps for both IKEv2 and L2TP protocols. It’s worth noting that many VPN providers, such as NordVPN and Surfshark, have discontinued support for L2TP due to security concerns.

However, VPNs like VyprVPN and PrivateVPN still support the L2TP protocol. Each VPN protocol has unique benefits. You should choose the protocol your VPN provider supports and review our guide on VPN protocol comparison.

Step#1— Installing IKEv2 certificate

You’ll need an active VPN subscription along with details such as the server address, IKEv2 or L2TP certificate, secure key, and VPN login credentials. These details are typically available on your VPN provider’s website, and their customer support team can assist you if needed.

Let’s begin with finding our server address and downloading the VPN certificate or key.

1. Open the website of your VPN provider.
2. Locate the manual setup page and download the VPN certificate for IKEV2 configuration. You can ask chat support for further assistance.
3. Click on “Add” to add the certificate on your Mac
4. Right-click on the “NordVPN Root CA” certificate and select “Get Info.”
5. In the settings, set “Always Trust” for both the “Extensible Authentication (EAP)” and “IP Security (IPSec)” options from their respective drop-down menus.
6. Close the window by clicking the red “x” in the top-left corner and enter your Mac password to save the changes.

Note: NordVPN offers the IKEV2 certificate for manual configuration. Here is the link for download.

Other VPN providers use different methods for manually configuring a VPN on Mac. You can find the right configuration details on their websites or contact their customer support for more information.

Step#2- Getting Server address

To manually configure a VPN on your Mac, you will need a VPN server address or URL. You can find this information in the manual configuration of your VPN provider or contact their customer support for it. Here are the steps I followed to get these credentials with NordVPN:

1. Open the website of your VPN provider.
2. Navigate to the Server Page and select the VPN server you wish to connect to.
3. Click on “Log in” and enter your VPN username or email ID and password.
4. In the user dashboard, select “NordVPN” from the left menu and click on “Manual Configuration.”
5. Verify your email address to retrieve your service credentials, then save your “Service Credentials.”
6. Click on “Server Recommendation” to obtain a server address. Search for the server you selected in Step 2 and ensure it meets your required settings, such as “P2P,” “Obfuscated Servers,” or “Standard VPN.”
   1. Note: Obfuscated VPN servers only work with Tunnelblick on Mac.
7. Save the server address for setting up an IKEv2-powered virtual router on your Mac.
   

Step#3— Setting up a VPN on Mac

Once you have added the security key/certificate to your Mac, it’s time to set up the VPN. Here are the steps to do that:

1. On your Mac, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
2. In the System Preferences window, click on the “Network” icon to access network settings.
3. In the Network settings menu, click the small plus (+) icon in the bottom-left corner to add a new service.
4. From the drop-down menus:
   1. Set Interface to VPN.
   2. Set VPN Type to IKEv2.
   3. In the third field, enter a name for your network that’s easy to identify.
5. Once all fields are filled out, click “Create” to set up the new VPN service.

Using the IKEv2 protocol is a little bit less secure than OpenVPN and Wireguard. Therefore, I recommend using a VPN with antivirus to secure your devices from malware and other computer viruses.

Step#4— Configuring a VPN on a Mac

The fourth step is to configure the VPN with the correct settings and credentials. You’ll need your VPN username and password, as well as the server address or URL, which we saved in Step#2.

Here are the steps to configure a VPN to create a virtual router for Mac.

1. After creating a new VPN service powered by IKEv2, enter the “NordVPN Server address” we acquired in Step #2.
2. Enter the server name in “Server Address & Remote ID.”
3. Now click on “Authentication Settings” and enter the service credentials we acquired in Step#2, point #5.
4. Select the option to “Show VPN status in the menu bar” for easier access. Finally, click “Apply” to save your VPN configuration settings.
5. You can now connect to your VPN by clicking the “Connect” button.

Internet speed reduction is a common drawback of using a VPN. However, premium VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN are designed to minimize this impact. That said, when using a VPN with a virtual router and connecting multiple devices, you may experience a more significant reduction in speed due to the increased load on the network.

Step#5— Connecting other devices with your VPN-enabled Mac virtual router

Everything is going great, and your Mac device is now connected to a VPN (IKEv2 protocol). However, here are the steps to make other devices connect with it:

1. Open “System Preferences” and click on the “Sharing” menu.
2. In the Internet Sharing section, set the connection to be shared from the VPN network you just created.
3. Then, check the box for “Wi-Fi.” Click “Wi-Fi Options” and set up the following:
   1. Network Name: Choose a recognizable name.
   2. Security: Select “WPA2 Personal.”
   3. Password: Enter a secure password.
   4. Leave the channel setting as is, then click “OK” to save the changes.
4. Finally, enable “Internet Sharing” by checking the box next to it in the menu on the left. This will activate Wi-Fi sharing with other devices.

A VPN slows your internet speed but lets you bypass VPN blocks and firewalls in countries with strict internet regulations. Using a virtual router on your Mac enables all devices in your household to bypass geo-restricted content, and you can unblock and access websites, apps, etc, from countries where VPNs are illegal.

Why do you need a VPN-enabled virtual router on Mac?

There are several advantages of a VPN, especially if you create a virtual router. I won’t talk about the benefits of a VPN here, but I will talk about the advantages of a VPN-enabled virtual router.

Advantages of VPN-enabled virtual router

• Connect Multiple Devices with a Single VPN Connection: Enjoy seamless VPN protection for all devices without individual setups.
• Simplified Process: Avoid the rigorous task of configuring a VPN on your router.
• Centralized Management: Manage all VPN settings easily from a single device.
• Unlock Geo-Restricted Content: Access region-locked websites and apps on all connected devices.
• Cost-Effective Solution: Save money by protecting multiple devices with one VPN subscription.

Disadvantages of VPN-enabled virtual router

• Reduced Internet Speed: Sharing a VPN connection via a virtual router can significantly slow down your internet speed, especially with multiple connected devices. Here are a few tips and tricks to increase your internet speed.
• Complex Setup: Configuring a VPN-enabled virtual router on a Mac can be technical and time-consuming for non-expert users.
• Limited Compatibility: Some older Mac models and routers may not support VPN-enabled virtual router setups.
• No Split Tunneling: All connected devices will use the VPN, even if some don’t need it, potentially affecting performance.
• Shared Bandwidth: Multiple devices sharing the same connection can lead to congestion and reduced performance.
• Security Risks for Unencrypted Networks: If the virtual router is not properly secured, unauthorized devices may access the network.
• Lack of Device-Specific Settings: You cannot customize VPN settings for individual devices connected to the virtual router.

What if my VPN-enabled virtual router is not working?

The primary reason a VPN-enabled virtual router may not work is often due to misconfiguration. Double-check your service credentials and server address on your VPN provider’s website. Additionally, ensure that your VPN provider supports the VPN protocol you’ve selected.

While Macs typically support L2TP and IKEv2 protocols, I successfully configured Surfshark with the OpenVPN protocol to set up a virtual router. Surfshark is the only VPN I found that supports OpenVPN for virtual router setup on Mac, as other providers do not offer this feature.

How do you disable the internet connection on your new virtual router?

To stop using your Mac as a VPN-secured router, open System Preferences, click on the Sharing icon, and uncheck the box next to Internet Sharing.

How do you disconnect the VPN on the virtual router?

To disconnect your VPN, open System Preferences, select Network, and click Disconnect.

What are the best VPNs for setting up virtual router on Mac?

Many commercial VPNs offer excellent servers for security, privacy, and bypassing geo-restrictions. However, setting them up on a Mac to create a virtual router can be a time-consuming process. While the basic steps are similar, the setup process may vary slightly between providers.

I recommend NordVPN and ExpressVPN due to their highly optimized VPN server, modern cipher, secure VPN protocols, and 24/7 “helpful” customer support.

Both VPNs offer user-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, Apple TV, and Android devices. Additionally, you can use both ExpressVPN and NordVPN simultaneously on more than five devices.

NordVPN’s 2-year plan is available for $4.49/month, while ExpressVPN is priced at $4.99/month. Both providers include 24/7 chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested their cancellation and refund processes, which were smooth and hassle-free. Read more about my experience with getting a refund from NordVPN and ExpressVPN:

• Canceling ExpressVPN with a refund in 2025
• Canceling NordVPN with a refund in 2025

Final thoughts on setting up VPN on virtual router

Setting up a VPN on a virtual router, whether on a Mac or another device, has several advantages, such as connecting multiple devices and saving costs. However, a significant drawback is the potential reduction in internet speed, which can impact streamers and gamers who require lower ping rates.

Despite this, setting up a virtual router on a Mac is highly beneficial for users with Smart TVs, Roku, and other devices that don’t support VPN apps. I tested NordVPN and VyprVPN for this guide, and both performed flawlessly. However, I recommend NordVPN for its optimized servers and advanced security features, which make it a superior choice.

Read more articles on setting up & using VPN on different devices:

• How to install and use a VPN on Kodi
• How to install a VPN on Android TV
• How to install a VPN on Smart TV
• How to Install a VPN on Chromecast
• How to set up a VPN on iPhone and iPad