Split tunneling, explained

Guides to per-app VPN routing on macOS — what your provider supports, how to set up common workflows, and how it all works under the hood.

Understanding split tunneling

Split Tunneling on Mac: The Complete Guide (2026)

Everything about split tunneling on macOS: which VPNs support it (almost none), why the Mac is different, and how to get per-app VPN routing with any provider.

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How Per-App VPN Routing Works on macOS: Network Extensions Explained

The technical story behind Mac split tunneling: transparent proxies, Network Extensions, why VPN vendors skip it, and what happens to a packet per app.

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How-to guides

How to Exclude an App from Your VPN on Mac (Works with Any VPN)

Step-by-step: make one Mac app bypass the VPN while everything else stays protected. Works with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton and any tunnel.

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How to Block Any App from Accessing the Internet on Mac

Cut off any Mac app's network access entirely — no firewall rules or Terminal needed. One click per app, with live confirmation that nothing gets out.

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How to Route Only Your Browser Through a VPN on Mac

Put Safari, Chrome or Firefox on the VPN while every other Mac app stays on your normal connection — full speed for downloads, calls and games.

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VPN Blocking Your Printer, NAS or AirPlay on Mac? The Fix

Printers, file shares and AirPlay often vanish when a VPN connects on a Mac. Here's why it happens and how LAN bypass restores local devices instantly.

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Your VPN on the Mac

NordVPN Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

NordVPN's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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ExpressVPN Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

ExpressVPN's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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Surfshark Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

Surfshark's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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Proton VPN Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

Proton VPN's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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Mullvad Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

Mullvad's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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Private Internet Access Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

Private Internet Access's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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CyberGhost Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

CyberGhost's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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Windscribe Split Tunneling on Mac: What Works in 2026

Windscribe's macOS app and split tunneling: what's supported, why the Mac app differs from Windows, and how to get per-app VPN routing with AppLanes.

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