Setting up a VPN on your router lets you connect all your devices to a VPN simultaneously. If you’ve a lot of devices to protect, you won’t have to go through multiple download and installation processes, which can be tiresome.
More than that, it’ll let you:
- Protect other devices, like some gaming consoles, that don’t support VPN software natively.
- Annihilate strict NAT Type problems that some gaming devices have.
- Solve annoying Wi–Fi signal problems.
Follow our quick guide to use NordVPN on your virtual router for MacOS.
- Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet with an ethernet cable.
- Download NordVPN’s IKEv2 certificate from their Support site.
- Set up a VPN from the “System Preferences” menu on your Mac.
- Configure the VPN using a NordVPN server address and your NordVPN credentials.
- Set up your Mac from the same menu to share your internet connection.
Now, you can connect to the VPN and then share your Wi-Fi.
We’ve mentioned NordVPN because it’s the best VPN for virtual routers on MacOS, as well as having support for a lot of router firmware and models.
We know this can be a little tricky, so in our full guide below, we’ll walk you through each step of setting up a VPN on your router. That includes where to find NordVPN’s IKEV2 certificate.
A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your data and lets you bypass geo-blocks. That makes it perfect for devices like Smart TVs and TV sticks that use third-party apps. You can keep yourself safe on unverified apps, while accessing location-restricted movies, shows, and other content.
Problem is, a lot of these devices don’t tend to support VPN software. That’s why you can instead set up a VPN on a virtual router for MacOS. Simply connect all of your household devices to your VPN-enabled Mac Wi-Fi network so that they all benefit from the VPN’s protection!
Check out our guide below. We’ve outlined how to set up a VPN-enabled virtual router for Mac, using NordVPN — the best VPN for the job.
Important:
Before we get going, make sure you have the equipment needed:
- A macOS computer with a Wi-Fi adapter: The vast majority of Macs have these.
- An ethernet cable: Also get an adapter to USB if your Mac doesn’t have an ethernet connection.
- A VPN subscription: We’ve written this guide using NordVPN, which is the best VPN for virtual routers.
You can’t both receive and transmit Wi-Fi on most computers at the same time. You’ll need to connect your Mac to an internet port using the ethernet cable before you get started.
How to Turn Your Macbook Into a Virtual Router: Step-by-Step
This is the simplest option. Just follow our detailed step-by-step guide to get going. The process varies between VPN providers, so we’ve highlighted NordVPN – the best VPN service provider for configuring virtual VPN routers.
Bear in mind you get a 30-day money-back guarantee from NordVPN, in case you don’t gel with it. Once you’ve got an account, you’re ready to go with our guide.
1. Download and install NordVPN’s IKEv2 certificate
First, you’ll want to download a certificate onto your Mac from the NordVPN website. This’ll allow you to connect with the super-secure IKEv2/IPSec protocol.
- Download the NordVPN IKEv2 certificate onto your device from NordVPN’s support page, then open it. It’s the first link you see toward the top of the page in Step One.
- Click on “Add” to add the certificate to your Mac’s keychain.
- Right-click on the “NordVPN Root CA” certificate, then click “Get Info.”
- Select “Always Trust” within the “Extensible Authentication (EAP)” and “IP Security (IPSec)” drop-downs.
- Click on the red “x” in the upper left of the window, then enter your Mac password to save changes.
2. Manually setting up your Mac’s new VPN client
Next, we’ll be creating your new IKEv2 VPN service. This will only take a couple of minutes, but carefully follow our steps. A small mistake in VPN configurations can result in them not working.
- On your Mac, hover over the Apple icon and click on “System Preferences.”
- Click on the “Network” icon.
- Click on the small plus icon (+) in the bottom-left of the window. This lets you add a new VPN service.
- In the drop-down menus, select Interface: VPN, and VPN Type: IKEv2. In the third drop menu, give your network a name that you’ll recognize.
- Click on “Create” to create the new VPN service.
3. Configuring your new VPN service
Now, let’s configure your VPN router settings. You’re going to need those NordVPN credentials you just created. As well as your username and password, you need a VPN server address. We recommend getting a server address from NordVPN’s website directly.
- Find a NordVPN server address for a VPN server you want to connect to.
- In the “Server Address” and “Remote ID” fields, input the address of the NordVPN server you chose.
- Click on “Authentication Settings” and input your username and password for the NordVPN account you set up.
- Check the box to “Show VPN status in menu bar” for convenience.
- Finally, click on “Apply” to save your VPN configuration settings. You can now connect to your VPN by clicking on the “Connect” button.
Note:
Don’t worry about populating the Local ID field when you’re setting up your VPN – it’s not required.
4. Sharing your Mac VPN virtual router with other devices
We’re nearly there! Now, all you need to do is set up the VPN on your router to be shareable. This will let you broadcast your MacOS virtual router with VPN to your other devices.
- Under “System Preferences,” click on the “Sharing” menu.
- In the Internet Sharing section, choose to share your connection from the VPN network name you just created. In our example, it’s the VPNOverview Test network. Tick the box “Wi-Fi“.
- Click on “Wi-Fi Options” and specify a Network Name and Password. Choose “WPA2 Personal” in the “Security” section, and don’t change the channel. After that, click “OK” to save the details.
- Finally, check the box beside “Internet Sharing,” in the menu on the left-hand side. This will let you start sharing your Wi-Fi network, with NordVPN’s stellar security protection!
Now, you’ll be able to find and connect to your shared network like any other Wi-Fi network. You’ll need to use the Wi-Fi credentials you set up to get each device connected. Thanks to your new VPN, your virtual router’s IP address will be hidden across all connected devices!
Important:
Make sure that the password you create is super–secure. If you create something easily guessed, any of your neighbors could just hop onto your network. Worse, a malicious third–party could use it to hack your devices or steal your data!
If you need help creating secure credentials, we’ve written an ultimate guide to creating secure passwords! True password security comes from following these tips, in addition to using a secure password manager like NordPass. You can create impossible-to-guess passwords, and store them safely and securely.
How to Disconnect Your Macbook VPN
Want to stop sharing your Mac’s Wi-Fi network? That’s simple. Remember when we set up “Internet Sharing” in the Sharing app?
- Go to “System Preferences.”
- Click on “Sharing.”
- Uncheck the box for “Internet Sharing.”
If you want to disconnect your virtual router’s VPN connection, that’s a slightly different process:
- Go to “System Preferences.”
- Click on “Network.”
- Select the VPN service you set up, then click “Disconnect.”
What Router Apps Does NordVPN Support?
If you just want to install your VPN straight onto a router, we recommend NordVPN as your best choice. It’s compatible with Smart TVs, the Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast, and Roku, to name a few. You can even buy a pre-configured VPN router with NordVPN software.
We’ll be honest, this process is a bit technical, and not all routers are supported. In case you want to try this option, we’ve listed NordVPN-compatible router firmware and router types below:
| Router Firmware | Router Model |
|---|---|
| AsusWRT | EdgeRouter and Ubiquiti |
| Merlin | GL.iNet |
| DD-WRT | Netduma |
| DrayTek Vigor | Netgear |
| OpenWRT | MikroTik |
| OPNsense 19.1 | Peplink/Pepwave |
| Padavan | |
| pfSense 2.4.4 | |
| pfSense 2.4.5 | |
| pfSense 2.5 | |
| Sabai | |
| Tomato |
If you’re not sure what you’re doing here, we recommend following our original guide — there’s less chance of going wrong and losing your internet connection. It also means you’ll stay protected, even if you swap internet service providers or change your router!
What is a Virtual Router?
A router is a networking device that literally routes data. It’s responsible for handling everything you send to or receive from the internet. So, a virtual router is software that lets you simulate a router on your computer — without the physical hardware.
In other words, virtual routers turn your computer into a Wi-Fi hotspot. It can be useful if you don’t have a normal router and want to avoid risky public Wi-Fi networks, for example, in a hotel room when you’re traveling. This way, your companions can also connect to a VPN-secured Wi-Fi network.
Virtual routers set up your computer’s Wi-Fi receiver to transmit Wi-Fi signals instead of receiving them. Nowadays, this can be done quite easily on different devices. You’re probably familiar with the “Personal Hotspot” feature on iPhones. A virtual router works in a similar way, except using your computer instead.
Why Set Up a VPN on a Virtual Router?
A virtual router lets you connect all of your devices to the internet without using a regular router. It also lets you set up a custom VPN connection that will cover all of your devices simultaneously. We think this is really useful when:
- You’re traveling and want to avoid unsafe public Wi-Fi hospots.
- You’d like to avoid the more technical process of setting up a VPN on a physical router.
- You have devices that don’t support custom VPN software, like some Smart TVs or Chromecast.
- You want to connect more devices than the VPN provider allows under one subscription.
This third point is the main reason to use a virtual router. Some devices, such as Apple TV, don’t support VPN connections. To protect these devices, you need to run their internet traffic through a router that encrypts it. Setting up NordVPN on a virtual router for MacOS solves this problem.
Final Thoughts: NordVPN Best for Setting Up VPN on Router
Depending on your home router’s firmware and model, you could install a VPN straight onto the router. But not every router supports it, and the process is quite fiddly.
That’s why we recommend setting up a virtual router on MacOS using NordVPN’s stellar service. You’ll be able to protect all your devices, including those that don’t support separate VPN software. You can also support unlimited devices in this way, even though NordVPN limits you to 6 connections when using the dedicated VPN app.
Looking for other guides on how to install a VPN on various devices? Check out our useful links below – we might’ve already covered it!
- Installing a VPN on a Virtual Router on Windows
- Installing a VPN on Your Router: Simple Guide for DD–WRT
- How to Install a VPN on Your Amazon Fire TV Stick
- How to Install a VPN on Roku: A Step–by–Step Guide
Do you have a problem setting up a virtual router with a VPN on your Mac? Take a look at the frequently asked questions below. Click on a question to see a quick and accurate answer.
A virtual router turns your Mac into a Wi-Fi hotspot. The computer is then able to transmit Wi-Fi connections, so other devices like your iPhone or Apple TV can use your Mac’s internet connection. By setting up a VPN on your virtual router for MacOS, you can offer robust internet protection to any device that tethers to your network.
You can set up a virtual router on MacOS by using the Internet Sharing feature in the Sharing section of your System Preferences. But if you’re going to do so, we recommend setting up a VPN for your Mac first. This will ensure any devices connecting to the network get full internet protection.
Yes, you can. Just like your regular internet connection, you can also secure your Mac’s virtual router, or hotspot, with a VPN. Any device that connects to that network will get the full protection of the VPN. We recommend choosing NordVPN if you’re manually setting up a VPN for your virtual router on MacOS. Our NordVPN review highlights this service’s robust security features.
NordVPN’s manual VPN installation for your virtual router on MacOS is simple. We were connected in just a few minutes thanks to NordVPN’s excellent support and troubleshooting guides.
If you use a virtual router with a VPN, all devices connected to that router are automatically protected. This way you don’t have to install the VPN on every device. It’s fast and convenient.
It also means that you can protect more devices than your VPN subscription would otherwise allow. You can also connect devices like Apple TVs, Smart TVs, or Chromecast, which don’t usually support custom VPN installations.
