Note: you can connect to obfuscated servers using TunnelBlick by downloading the configuration files for our obfuscated servers via our official download link.
The Tunnelblick application is one of the alternative ways to connect to NordVPN servers on your Mac. This is a good option for those who prefer a manual connection and like tinkering with open-source software. That said, it lacks the additional features of the NordVPN app but still uses the same VPN protocol — OpenVPN. It's also a bit more complicated to set up. Below you will find a guide helping you to configure a manual connection with Tunnelblick on macOS.
- Download Tunnelblick, a free and user-friendly app for managing OpenVPN connections on macOS.
- Now you will need to download the .ovpn connection files.
Follow the steps below to find the best server for your connection:
-
Log in to your Nord Account and click NordVPN.
- Scroll down to Advanced Settings and click Set up NordVPN manually.
- Select the Server recommendation tab. The best server will be recommended for you according to your location.
-
By pressing Advanced filters, you can customize the recommended servers by selecting the Server type and the Security protocol.
In case you wish to select a specific server, follow these steps:
- Under Set up NordVPN manually, select OpenVPN configuration files.
- You can find the server you wish to connect to using the Search bar or by scrolling down. Then, you can download it by clicking Download UDP or Download TCP.
- When connecting to OpenVPN & IKEv2 manually, you'll need to use the Username and Password from the Service credential tab.
- Navigate to your Downloads folder and double-click the Tunnelblick installation file you have just downloaded (it has a .dmg extension).
- In the window that opens, double-click on the Tunnelblick icon.
- A new dialogue box will pop up, asking you if you are sure you want to open the app. Click Open.
- You will be asked to enter your Mac password. Enter it and click OK:
- Once the installation is complete, you will see a pop-up notification asking you if you want to launch Tunnelblick now. (An administrator username and password will be required to secure Tunnelblick). Click Launch.
Alternatively, you can click on the Tunnelblick icon in the status bar and select VPN details...:
- A new dialogue box will appear. Click Continue
- Another notification will pop up, instructing you how to import configuration files. Click OK.
- Drag and drop the previously downloaded .ovpn file from your Downloads folder to the Configurations tab in Tunnelblick.
- A pop-up will appear, asking you if you want to install the configuration profile for your current user only or for all users on your Mac. Select your preferred option.
You will be asked to enter your Mac password.
- A warning will pop up. You can safely check the Do not warn about this again box and click OK.
- Select the server and click Connect.
- Enter your NordVPN service credentials, mark the box Save in Keychain, and click OK.
Follow the steps below to find the service credentials for manual connection setup:
-
Log into your Nord Account, click NordVPN, and, under Manual setup, click on Service credentials. Here you'll find the Username and Password needed to connect manually.
- That’s it! You are now connected to a VPN. To disconnect, click on the Tunnelblick icon in your status bar and select Disconnect in the drop-down menu.
