Using Meshnet on macOS

Learn how to use Meshnet via the NordVPN application on your macOS device.

Before you begin

Verify that you have NordVPN installed on your device.

Meshnet is available for:

• macOS Catalina 10.15 or later if you use the direct download version of NordVPN.

• macOS Big Sur 11 or later if you use the App Store version of NordVPN.

Enable Meshnet on macOS

To turn on Meshnet on your device, complete these steps:

1. Open NordVPN. Log in if necessary.

2. From the left-side menu, select Meshnet :

   

3. In the Overview section, turn on the Meshnet toggle:

   

4. In the dialog that appears, read the details about Meshnet using the Continue button to move forward.

5. Click Turn on Meshnet. If you get a notification asking for your permission to add VPN configurations, tap Allow to continue.

When connected to Meshnet, your device is assigned a unique Nord name and a Meshnet IP address, both of which you can use to access your device from other linked devices.

Note

Nord names are unique, automatically assigned host names for all devices in Meshnet. This feature allows more convenient device access because you don’t have to memorize each device’s Meshnet IP address.

The format is<username>-<mountain>.nord, where <username> is the username of your Nord Account email address and <mountain> is the name of a mountain or mountain range. For example, secret.raccoon-andes.nord.

Add devices to Meshnet

You can add devices to your Meshnet in two ways, depending on whether the device is your own or belongs to another NordVPN user.

Add your own devices

To add more devices to your Meshnet, just install the NordVPN app on the devices you want to connect, log in with your account, and enable Meshnet. They will connect automatically.

Note

Meshnet allows you to add up to 10 devices that use the same NordVPN account.

Add trusted external devices

To add a device owned by another NordVPN user, send an invitation through the NordVPN app specifying their email address. As soon as they accept the invitation in their NordVPN app, their device becomes part of your Meshnet.

For detailed guidance on adding external devices, refer to Adding external Meshnet devices on macOS.

Manage devices

You can find a list of all your connected devices under the Your devices and External devices tabs.

You have the option to see the Nord name or the Meshnet IP address as the primary identifier of your Meshnet peer devices.

To switch between the options, next to your device's Meshnet information, click the More button and select Set IP address as primary or Set Nord name as primary.

Unlink devices

1. Open NordVPN and select Meshnet .
2. Under Your devices, click the More button next to the device you want to disconnect.

   

3. Select Unlink this device.

4. Click Unlink to confirm.

Tip

To link your personal device back, restart Meshnet on the unlinked device.

Manage devices via the Nord Account dashboard

Alternatively, you can view a list of linked devices for each of your devices on the Nord Account website. To access this feature:

1. Log in to your Nord account dashboard.

2. Select the Meshnet (by NordVPN) card.

You should now see a list of your linked devices.

Unlink devices via the dashboard

The Nord Account dashboard allows you to unlink both peer devices and your own.

1. Go to the Nord Account website and log in to your NordVPN account.

2. Select the Meshnet (by NordVPN) card.

   

3. Find the device that you want to unlink and select Manage device next to it.

   

4. Click Remove from Meshnet.

   

   If you wish to disconnect peer devices, select Unlink device next to the device you want to remove.

   

5. Click Unlink to confirm.

See also

For information managing device access within your network, see Explaining permissions.