Consumer Support » How to use Bitdefender VPN for Mac: Interface, Allowing the VPN extension, Connection, Settings
How to use Bitdefender VPN for Mac: Interface, Allowing the VPN extension, Connection, Settings
This article helps you familiarize yourself with the application Bitdefender VPN for Mac. We will show you how to access the main interface, how to allow Bitdefender VPN to connect on newer macOS versions, how to customize settings, and how to upgrade your subscription plan to Premium VPN.
With Bitdefender VPN for Mac you can keep your data private each time you connect to unsecured wireless networks while in airports, malls, cafés, or hotels. This way, unfortunate situations such as theft of personal data, or attempts to make your device’s IP address accessible to hackers can be avoided. Restricted content can be accessed as well, no matter the country that practices internet censorship. The VPN serves as a tunnel between your device and the network you connect to, securing your connection, encrypting the data using bank-grade encryption, and hiding your IP address wherever you are. Your traffic is redirected through a separate server; thus making your device almost impossible to be identified through the myriad of other devices that are using our services.
Scroll down and select one of the following to learn more:
Opening Bitdefender VPN for Mac
You can open the Bitdefender VPN app by clicking the shield icon from the menu bar at the top right of the screen.
NOTE: If the Bitdefender shield cannot be found in the menu bar, use your Mac Launchpad or Finder to bring it back.
• Then browse through the pages of installed apps until you locate the Bitdefender VPN app. Alternatively, you can type Bitdefender VPN in Launchpad to start filtering your results.
• Once you see the Bitdefender VPN app, click on its icon to pin it to the menu bar.
From Finder
• Click on Finder at the bottom left of the Dock (Finder is the icon that looks like a blue square with a smiley face).
• Next, click Go at the top left of the screen, on the menu bar.
• Select Applications from the menu to enter the Applications folder on your Mac.
• From the Applications folder open the Bitdefender folder and then double-click the Bitdefender VPN app.
Allowing Bitdefender VPN to connect on macOS 10.15.4 and later
Starting with Bitdefender VPN version 3.0.0.28 the following message will appear the first time you connect to VPN on macOS Catalina 10.15.4 and later: Allow Bitdefender VPN to run.
Bitdefender VPN requires user permission to be fully functional on newer macOS versions. Follow these steps to allow Bitdefender VPN to run on these systems:
• Click the Open System Preferences button.
• This will open the Security & Privacy window. Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner to make the changes.
• When prompted, enter your macOS administrator credentials, then press Unlock.
• Next, click the Allow button located in the lower right-hand corner of the Security & Privacy window.
• Your Mac will display a dialog asking to add the VPN configuration profile. Choose Allow.
Connecting to Bitdefender VPN for Mac
The VPN interface displays the status of the app: connected or disconnected. The server location for users with the free version is automatically set by Bitdefender to the most appropriate server, while premium users have the possibility to change the server location they want to connect to by selecting it from the Virtual Location list.
To connect or disconnect, simply click on the status displayed at the top of the screen. The menu bar icon shows black when the VPN is connected, and white when the VPN is disconnected. Click the circular button in the middle of the interface and wait for the connection to be established.
Settings
To get access to more options, click the gear icon ⚙︎ in the upper-right hand corner:
My Account: Details about your Bitdefender account and VPN subscription are displayed here.
• click Switch Account if you want to sign in with another Bitdefender Central account
• if you are using the free version of the VPN app, you can upgrade to the premium plan from here.
Settings: Depending on your needs, from here you can customize the behavior of Bitdefender VPN for Mac.
• manage product notifications
• set the VPN to launch automatically at system startup
• activate a Kill-Switch to pause all Internet traffic should the VPN accidentally disconnect
• change the auto-connect options
Support: Browse through the FAQ or reach out to our Support team.
About: Displays information about the installed VPN version. Here you can also consult the Subscription Agreement and Privacy Policy.
Quit: Exit the application.
Bitdefender VPN Subscriptions
With Bitdefender VPN, you benefit from a daily 200 MB daily traffic quota per device included in your subscription (a 500 MB daily traffic quota is included only in Bitdefender Small Office Security subscriptions). The feature helps you secure your connection every time you need, and connects you automatically to the optimal server location. To get unlimited traffic and unrestricted access to content worldwide by choosing a server location at your will, upgrade to the premium version.
You can upgrade to the Bitdefender Premium VPN version anytime by clicking the Upgrade button located in the product interface. If you need further guidance you can access this friendly guide – How to upgrade to Bitdefender Premium VPN on macOS.
from the menu bar at the top right of the screen.
