New: Surfshark Bypasser for macOS users

Sometimes it only takes a little to make everything stop working – like when your internet banking doesn’t work because of a VPN, your favourite e-shop reports an error, or a video loads like a snail in winter. And then you either turn off the VPN or start messing around with the settings. But there’s a feature that can save you from this kind of stress. It’s called Bypasser – and it’s finally available for macOS!

For me personally, it’s a gamechanger. I’ve been waiting a long time for the ability to conveniently separate what should and shouldn’t run through the VPN without having to manually switch connections. And if you use Surfshark, now I’ll show you why you’ll love Bypasser too.

What exactly is Surfshark Bypasser?

You may have heard the term split tunneling before. It’s basically a way to split internet traffic into two “tunnels” – one running through a VPN (encrypted and secure), the other going directly to the internet (fast and unencrypted). Surfshark calls it simpler: Bypasser.

In practice, this means choosing apps or sites to avoid VPNs altogether. Typically, these are banks, streaming services, or even corporate emails that react to VPNs with the irritation of a cat to a vacuum cleaner. The rest of your connection continues to run securely under VPN protection – no compromises, just more convenience.

How does Bypasser work on macOS?

I love Apple, but let’s face it – when it comes to advanced VPN features, macOS sometimes pulls the short end of the stick. That’s why it’s great that Surfshark has caught up with the competition and Bypasser has arrived on macOS. It works quite simply.

In Surfshark, open your settings, click on VPN settings, and there you’ll find Bypasser. What else? Just add the website or app you don’t want to encrypt – and that’s it.

Maybe your favourite Czech bank will finally stop throwing error messages because it will communicate directly, without a VPN. And your other activities, like downloading or browsing foreign sites, remain fully protected.

Why is Bypasser so useful?

Here are some real reasons to love this feature:

• You don’t have to manually turn off your VPN all the time. If you have your VPN on all the time (for example, to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi) but one app is acting up, Bypasser will fix it once and for all.
• For example,you can use a regular connection to stream movies from your home platform where a VPN isn’t needed. The rest of your device will still be protected.
• Online banking and government portals often block access from abroad, so Bypasser helps you avoid them and keep everything running smoothly.

It sounds like a small thing, but once you start using it, you don’t understand how you could function without it.

How to set up Bypasser? Step-by-step instructions for each device

Now you may be thinking that sounds fine, but how exactly do you set it up? Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science. Whether you’re on a Mac, iPhone, Android or Windows, you can do it all in a few clicks.

🖥️ macOS

It’s already pretty clear on the Mac:

1. Open the Surfshark app.
2. Click Settings in the left menu.
3. Select VPN settings.
4. Find the Bypasser and open it.
5. Click Add website or Add app.
6. Enter a website address, or select an app from the list.

And you’re done. From now on, this website or app will run outside the VPN.

📱 iPhone / iOS

With iPhone, it’s similar:

1. Start the Surfshark app.
2. Click Settings in the bottom left.
3. Select VPN settings.
4. Open Bypasser.
5. Click on Add website.
6. Specify a site to run without a VPN.

Easy as sending a message on WhatsApp. Only apps can’t be bypassed yet – only websites.

🤖 Android

Surfshark has gotten pretty clever here:

1. Open the Surfshark app.
2. Click Settings at the bottom.
3. Go to VPN settings.
4. Click on Bypasser.
5. Select either Bypass VPN or Route via VPN.
6. And then select Apps selected or Websites selected.
7. Add the website or app you want to remove.

So you have more flexibility – ideal for switching between Netflix, banking and online gaming.

💻 Windows

On Windows, it’s similar to Mac, but a little more polished:

1. Open Surfshark.
2. Click Settings on the left.
3. Open VPN settings.
4. Click on Bypasser.
5. For the app, use the Bypass VPN or Route via VPN switch.
6. For websites and IP addresses, it’s just Bypass VPN.
7. Enter a website address or select an app.

And what I really liked – you can also specify a specific IP address, which is great for corporate networks or home NAS server.

🌐 Browser extensions

Yeah, Bypasser’s got that too! It works in Surfshark extensions like Chrome:

1. Open the Surfshark extension.
2. Click Settings on the left.
3. Find the Bypass list section.
4. Click Add new.
5. Enter a URL that the VPN should ignore.

This is ideal for developers or marketers who are testing geo-targeting and need to work with different sites from different locations.

My experience: why I wouldn’t turn off Bypasser for a golden pig

In fact, once you’ve set up Bypasser to suit your work or surfing style, you’ll feel like you have half the internet problems. There’s nothing limiting you, nothing blocking you, and you’re still protecting your data.

That way I don’t have to worry about my VPN dropping my mobile bank or my video conferencing not working. I just set it up once – and it works. Even if I forget I have the VPN turned on.

Conclusion: a feature appreciated by anyone who doesn’t want to compromise

Surfshark Bypasser is exactly the type of feature that makes a good VPN a great VPN. And not just on Windows or Android, but finally on macOS, which I personally have missed for a long time. It gives me peace of mind that I can protect my sensitive data while not worrying about the VPN blocking my regular services.

So if you’re the kind of person who turns your VPN on first thing in the morning and off at night, Bypasser will save your nerves. And if you’re the type who only turns on your VPN occasionally, well… you’ll want it on all the time after Bypasser.

Do you want to try Bypasser right away? Check out the Surfshark app – it’s already there.