How to Get a VPN for Safari to Protect Your Apple Devices

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a VPN extension for the Safari browser – they don’t exist. Don’t worry, we have good news: you can still use a VPN to protect your Safari traffic and secure all other web activity on your Apple device at the same time.

You might have heard that Apple has its own take on a built-in VPN feature. The iCloud Private Relay may seem like a VPN that conceals your Safari activity, but it’s far from it. Let’s go through why you need a VPN for Safari, how to set up a VPN on your Apple devices, and why you still need to use a VPN over Private Relay.

Does Safari Have a VPN?

No. Safari doesn’t have a VPN, but it’s easy to see why you’d think so. Apple introduced the iCloud Private Relay for iOS 15, which is a privacy feature designed to help you avoid digital profiling in Safari. 

Apple Private Relay removes identifying information from your IP address and changes it to one from a generalized location. This makes it harder for third parties to see your approximate location. Websites can only see your region or country, but not your zip code.

It also encrypts your Safari traffic and moves it through two proxy servers, known as relays. This stops third parties from eavesdropping on your activity and looking at your browsing history. You might be wondering how this is different from a VPN, since a VPN also masks your IP address and encrypts your traffic. The two aren’t the same, and we’ll explore why next.

Private Relay vs. VPN

Apple Private Relay	VPN
Encrypts Safari traffic only	Encrypts all web and app traffic
Sends your traffic through two private proxy servers (known as relays)	Tunnels your traffic through a single VPN server
Masks your IP address with one from the same region or country	Masks your IP address with one from anywhere in the world
Can’t select which region you want an IP address from	Can select a server location to get an IP address from any region or country
Not reliable for bypassing network restrictions and unblocking websites	Reliable for bypassing network restrictions and unblocking websites
No additional security or privacy features	Additional features such as DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch
Minimal logging policy	Strict no-logs policy

Although Apple Private Relay encrypts your traffic, one of its biggest downfalls is that it only protects your Safari activity. Anything you do outside of Safari isn’t encrypted, so your traffic is visible to anyone watching. Traffic outside of Safari also uses your real IP address, meaning third parties can still see your approximate location. A VPN is different. 

VPNs encrypts all web and app traffic on your device, concealing your information in Safari and elsewhere too. This stops digital spies from logging your activity or monitoring your searches, even if you close the Safari browser.

Apple Private Relay only gives you a generalized IP address from the same region or country. This means you can’t get an IP address from elsewhere, like you can with a VPN. VPNs lets you choose server locations from all over the world to mask your IP address with one from any country. 

 A VPN can also help you get around network restrictions and unblock websites, which is something Apple Private Relay can’t do. Apple Private Relay encrypts your traffic and generalizes your IP address, but this isn’t reliable for getting around firewalls. It won’t help you if you’re trying to unlock a site while you’re overseas, since it still gives you a localized IP address. For example, if you’re trying to get back into your BBC iPlayer account while vacationing in the US, you’d need a UK IP address. If you switch Apple’s Private Relay on, it will still give you a US IP address, which won’t help you get back into your account. A VPN changes your IP address to whichever location you choose, so you can easily access your favorite platforms from wherever you are.

VPN App vs. Browser Extension – What’s Better?

Some browsers like Chrome offer in-browser VPN extensions. These allow you to redirect browser traffic through the VPN, while simultaneously browsing unencrypted with your real IP address on other browsers or device apps. Safari used to support VPN browser extensions, but it doesn’t anymore. Although this limits your choices on iOS, using a VPN app is much better than a browser extension. 

Remember, you can’t get a dedicated Safari VPN. What you can get, though, is a VPN app that protects all of your iOS traffic, including Safari. A VPN app masks  all of your Apple traffic from cyber spies, concealing your web activity and private information from watchful eyes. PIA VPN has extra built-in privacy and security features, such as the automatic kill switch. This keeps your data under wraps even if something disrupts your VPN connection, stopping outsiders from snooping on you.

In the macOS VPN app, PIA has a split tunneling feature. This allows you to redirect some of your traffic through the VPN, such as your Safari activity, and leave other traffic or specific apps outside of the VPN tunnel. Your Safari traffic stays concealed and protected by PIA VPN’s powerful encryption, but you can still browse with a local IP address as needed. This is particularly useful if you want to read local news or access your online banking apps, for example, as they usually require a local IP address. 

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Why Use a VPN for Safari on Your Apple Devices? 

A VPN for Safari offers many benefits. The biggest advantage is that it helps to boost your online anonymity across your Apple device, but you should use a VPN for many other reasons too.

Boost Your Online Privacy

Websites and other online snoops can track your online activity, both inside and outside of Safari. This leaves you vulnerable to data logging and digital profiling. Third parties can use your information to see your habits, interests, and searches to try and identify you and target you with advertising. Some even log your data purely to sell it to advertisers. 

A VPN helps you avoid this data logging. PIA VPN conceals your activity and information with encryption, stopping outsiders from monitoring your habits. The less information out there, the less they can log about you. Our VPN also has a strict no logs policy, so we’ll never track, store, or share your usage data.

Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi

Cybercriminals lurk on public networks waiting for you to slip up and expose your information. They can target you with phishing links, or even set up fake hotspots that look trustworthy so you connect. That leaves your Apple device and information vulnerable. Cybercriminals can try to steal your information and commit crimes like identity theft and fraud. 

A VPN boosts your security on public Wi-Fi by encrypting all of your web traffic before it leaves your Apple device. This makes your traffic invisible to outsiders, so cybercriminals can’t see your data or grab your information. 

Avoid Censorship

ISPs are watching your every online move. All DNS requests from your Apple device travel through your ISPs servers first, so they can see every search and website you visit. They can log this information and use it to monitor your traffic or sell it to third parties, such as advertisers. In countries with strict surveillance laws, ISPs monitor your traffic more intensely, which means your traffic could end up in authorities’ hands. 

A VPN helps you avoid this censorship. It encrypts your connection before DNS requests reach your ISP. This keeps your activity concealed, so your ISP can’t see what you’re doing or collect your data. That way, your ISP can’t pass your data onto anyone else, because they have nothing to see.

Unblock Websites

If you take your Apple devices on the go, you might run into blocks on certain networks. Workplaces, schools, and even some public Wi-Fi connections block access to certain websites, such as streaming services. If you go abroad, local blocks can stop you from accessing these sites too, because you’re using a different IP address.

A VPN lets you unblock sites by encrypting your connection. Firewalls on your workplace or school Wi-Fi can’t detect your traffic or see which site you’re trying to access, so they can’t block you. 

You can also use a VPN to change your IP address to a local IP address, even if you’re overseas. This can help you regain access to your accounts, such as streaming platforms and online banking, no matter where you go.

Unlock the Best Deals

Sites often increase their prices based on your location, especially for hotels and flights. A VPN lets you change your IP address to one from a different country, which can help you track down better deals from other regions. You can quickly try different server locations to browse prices, then decide which location gets you the best deal. 

How to Set up VPN for Safari on Your Apple Devices

The easiest way to set up a VPN for Safari is to download the PIA VPN app for iOS and macOS. You don’t need to configure anything manually, and all necessary security features are built-in and ready to go. We’ll also show you how to configure VPN connections on macOS and iOS if you’d prefer to set up your VPN manually.

How to Set up a VPN App for Safari on iOS and Mac

Using an app is the quickest way to set up a VPN for Safari on your Apple devices:

1. Open the App store on your Mac or iPhone/iPad to download the PIA VPN app or visit PIA’s website.
2. Choose your subscription plan and sign up.
3. Enter your credentials and log in to the app.
4. Click on the power button to find a server location. The app will select the best server for you.

6. You can also click the arrow next to VPN Server to browse other server locations. Click on the country you want to change your IP address.

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Customizing the PIA VPN App on iOS and Mac

PIA lets you change your VPN settings on iPhone and Mac, so you can customize your security, automation features, and privacy settings. 

1. To view your settings, click on the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Here, you can see settings to change your VPN protocol, set up automatic launch, and choose between automatic kill switch or advanced kill switch.

3. If you’re on macOS, you also have the option to use the split tunneling feature, which lets you choose which apps you want to run through the VPN. 
4. Turn the toggle switch on to enable the split tunneling feature.
5. To add Safari, click on Add Application, then scroll down to select Safari.

6. Choose Only VPN from the drop down to protect your Safari traffic. This means you still get full VPN protection while using Safari, rather than only Private Relay protection.
7. You can decide whether you want other apps to bypass the VPN or stay encrypted with the VPN connection.

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How to Manually Set up a VPN for Safari on Mac

1. Sign up for a VPN and purchase the manual setup configuration.
2. From your dock, press System Settings
3. Click on VPN, then Add VPN Configuration
4. Select the type of VPN configuration you want to add (L2TP over IPSec, Cisco IPSec, or IKEv2)
5. Type the name of the VPN connection in the Display Name field
6. Type in the server address, account name, password, and authentication method
7. Click Create to configure the connection
8. Click the toggle button to turn your VPN connection on

How to Manually Set up a VPN for Safari on iOS

1. Sign up for a VPN and purchase the manual setup configuration
2. Open Settings and select VPN
3. Click Add VPN Configuration
4. Choose the type of VPN configuration you want to add (IKEv2, IPSec, or L2TP)
5. Enter the description, server, remote ID, and authentication method
6. Click Done to save your connection
7. Use the toggle switch to turn your VPN connection on 

How to Disable a VPN on Safari

Turning off the PIA VPN app on your Apple devices is easy. Just click the power button to disable your VPN. If it’s successfully turned off, the power button will appear yellow. Remember, this will disable the VPN for your Safari traffic, as well as other web and traffic on your device. 

You can also disable the VPN manually within your OS settings. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your Mac or iOS device
2. Press VPN 
3. Look for the VPN connection and turn the toggle switch off

Should I Use a Free VPN for Safari?

No. Tempting as it may be, free VPNs are not a good idea. Remember, you can’t get a dedicated VPN app for Safari, only a VPN app for your entire Apple device. If you see any providers offering a VPN just for Safari, free or not, don’t download it. It could have hidden malware or spyware that can infect your device.

We don’t recommend using a free VPN for your Apple device either. Free VPNs often use weaker security measures and encryption, potentially leaving your information and traffic exposed. They usually have reduced server counts too, so you might not get an IP address from the server location you’re after. 

Free VPNs can also come with bandwidth and data caps, which means you can only protect your traffic for a limited time. Some even log and sell your data to third parties. Make sure you choose a reputable VPN. PIA VPN has a worldwide network of secure servers, lightning-fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth and data, and advanced security measures to make sure your data stays safely concealed. We don’t log, track, or share any of your information either.

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How to Choose the Best VPN for Safari

The best VPNs offer leading security features, privacy protection, and worldwide servers with reliable performance. Here are five things you should look for when choosing a VPN for Safari:

• Advanced security: Choose VPNs that use powerful encryption and protocols to keep your traffic concealed. This stops third parties from snooping on your activity and stealing your data.
• Zero logs: Make sure the VPN has a no logs policy. Some VPNs can monitor your traffic and store it. They might even sell it to advertisers. 
• Worldwide secure servers: Find VPNs that have a global server fleet with strong security. This means you can get an IP address from anywhere, not just your region or country like with Apple Private Relay.
• Superfast speeds: Look for VPNs with fast speeds, otherwise you might struggle with shaky performance and buffering while connected. 
• Additional features: Find VPNs with extra features to protect your privacy and security, such as DNS leak protection, split tunneling, an automatic kill switch, and built-in ad blockers.

Tips for Safely Using a VPN for Safari

A VPN can protect your Safari privacy, but you still need to use it safely. No VPN can offer 100% protection, so it’s important you take action too. Here are our top tips:

• Update apps: Keep your VPN and device apps up-to-date. Updates often patch security vulnerabilities and other loopholes that could compromise your security. 
• Keep your VPN connected: Leave your VPN connection running to make sure your device stays protected. Otherwise, your traffic and IP address will be exposed, and any spies watching can monitor your activity. 
• Enable the kill switch: Make sure you turn the VPN kill switch on to block traffic and prevent data leaks if anything compromises your connection. PIA VPN’s kill switch is automatic and pre-enabled in the app, so you already have this protection built-in. 
• Read logging policies: Check the logging policies of all apps and sites you use, including the VPN app. Some log your activity, track your behavior, and sell your data to third parties. 
• Avoid public Wi-Fi without a VPN: Try to avoid using public Wi-Fi if your VPN isn’t switched on. These networks can be unsecured and cybercriminals often monitor them to try and steal your data.
• Practice good cyber hygiene: Be careful about what you share online and which accounts you log in to. Even with a VPN switched on, sites can still track you and see that it’s you if you log in to an account. 

Upgrade Your Safari Privacy with a VPN

Apple’s Private Relay sounds promising, but it can only help you so far. It only encrypts your Safari traffic, leaving your other activity and IP address exposed. Anyone could track you outside of Safari and spy on your habits. Apple’s Private Relay doesn’t let you choose a server location either, or change your IP address to one from another country. This leaves you restricted, especially if you’re trying to get around overseas network restrictions. 

Using a VPN is the best way to protect your privacy, not just in Safari, but across other websites and apps too. You can download PIA VPN to conceal all online activity with powerful encryption before it leaves your device. That way, outsiders can’t see what you’re doing or which websites you’re looking at, even if you’re not using Safari.

Our VPN also lets you change your virtual location to anywhere in the world, giving you greater online freedom alongside a privacy boost. Want to give it a try? Test PIA VPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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