Support Documentation :: Setup Tutorials :: PPTP :: Mac OS

If you can't use the ExpressVPN app, you can use an L2TP/PPTP connection from your Mac. For this you'll need an L2TP/PPTP account. If you don't already have one, please contact us.

Find the Mac OS X version by selecting "About This Mac" from the Apple menu located at the upper left corner of your screen.

To connect via L2TP:

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences:
   

2. In the System Preferences window, under Internet & Wireless (or Internet & Network), select Network:
   

3. Below the left-hand connections list, create a new service by clicking +:
   

4. Set the following:
   
   Interface: VPN
   VPN Type: L2TP over IPSec
   Service Name: Anything descriptive. For example: ExpressVPN L2TP

5. Click Create.

6. In the left-hand connections list, select the new VPN service to display its properties on the right.

7. Set the following:
   
   Configuration: Leave as Default.
   Server Address: One of the server addresses we provided you.
   Account Name: The username for your ExpressVPN account.

8. Make sure Show VPN status in menu bar is selected.

9. Click Authentication Settings.

10. Under User Authentication, select Password and type the password we supplied for your account:
    

11. Under Machine Authentication, select Shared Secret and type: 12345678.

12. Click OK.

13. Back in the connection properties, with the new VPN service still selected, on the lower-right click Advanced.

14. Under Options, select Send all traffic over VPN connection, and click OK:
    

15. Click Apply.

The new VPN service now appears in the menu bar. Just click Connect to use it:

If you have connection problems, your ISP might be blocking L2TP. Try repeating the instructions, but this time select PPTP in step #4.