Download the best VPN for Safari

No premium VPN provider has a VPN extension for Safari, including ExpressVPN. But you already get the privacy and security benefits of ExpressVPN on Safari if you use the ExpressVPN app on your Mac device.

If you would like to enable a VPN on Safari, you have two options: You can either download a high-quality VPN service like ExpressVPN or manually configure an existing VPN connection on your Apple device.

Follow the steps outlined above to enable a VPN on Safari.

A high-quality VPN, such as ExpressVPN, is considered the safest VPN for Safari. This is because ExpressVPN protects your identity, data, and privacy in various ways. Your online traffic is shielded in an encrypted tunnel so no one can see your activity or sensitive information (such as during online banking). At the same time, a VPN gives you a different IP address that is shared with thousands of other VPN users—this raises your anonymity and makes it virtually impossible for anyone to trace your activity back to you.

Your browser history is typically stored inside your browser. Using a VPN will not change this. But you can clear browsing data in Safari.

Your browsing history might also be inferred by others monitoring your internet connection, such as your internet service provider or Wi-Fi operator. ExpressVPN encrypts all data between your device and the ExpressVPN servers, making it impossible for an ISP or rogue Wi-Fi to record the sites you visit.

Note that browser history is not the same as search history. If you are logged in to Google and using its search engine, those searches will be recorded even if you are using a VPN. ( Learn how to delete your Google search history.)

No, browsing in Safari's private mode is not the same as using a VPN. Here are some of the key differences between using a VPN and browsing Safari in private mode:

• Private browsing hides your local history, preventing anyone who shares your computer from seeing what you’ve been browsing. A VPN does not affect how your browser works.

• A VPN encrypts your entire internet connection, shielding your data from ISPs and snoops. Private browsing does not affect encryption.

• Private mode only affects the browser, while a VPN covers all traffic passing through your device.

Although there are free VPNs and proxy services, they are not recommended as they do not offer the same privacy and security benefits of paid VPN. Many do not work as advertised, some may even sell your data, and most will leave your networks vulnerable to attack.

Read more about free proxy services vs. VPNs.

Contact your VPN provider if you find that your VPN service isn’t working with Safari. There may be a number of factors that could be affecting this and it’s best to seek clarification.

No, Safari itself does not have VPN functionality. The ExpressVPN app on your device will secure your Safari browsing.

No, Safari on iPhone does not have a built-in VPN. However, you can use a third-party VPN app, like ExpressVPN, to protect your privacy and security when browsing the web on your iPhone.

It’s worth noting that Apple does offer a privacy feature called iCloud Private Relay, which is available on iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. Private Relay hides your IP address from websites and app servers, so they can't track your online activity. However, Private Relay does not encrypt your traffic, so it does not offer the same level of privacy protection as a VPN.

There are a few reasons why your Safari might not be working with a VPN:

• Your VPN is not on: Make sure that you have entered your VPN credentials correctly and that your VPN software is turned on.

• Your VPN is blocked by your network administrator: Some network administrators block VPN connections, so you may need to contact your IT department for help.

• There is a problem with your internet connection: Make sure that you are connected to a stable and reliable internet connection.

• There is a problem with your VPN server: Try connecting to a different VPN server to see if that resolves the issue.

Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting Safari problems with a VPN:

• Clear your browser's cache and cookies: Sometimes, cached data or cookies can interfere with a VPN connection. To clear your cache and cookies in Safari, go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data. Select the websites that you want to clear data for, then click Remove.

• Open a new private window: You can also ensure no cache or cookies are affecting your session by using a new private window. In Safari, go to File > New Private Window.

• Contact support: If you’ve tried the above solutions and your Safari is still not working with a VPN, contact ExpressVPN’s support team for help. They can troubleshoot the issue and help you get your VPN working properly with Safari.