# How do I install and use VilaNet on macOS?

Install VilaNet from the Mac App Store or the official universal DMG, sign in
with your VilaVPN account and choose **Auto Select**. The App Store build uses
TUN mode and asks for macOS VPN approval; the DMG starts in Proxy Mode and does
not ask unless you switch to TUN Mode.

The VilaNet 2.12.82 download, shared app labels and macOS 12 minimum version
have been checked against the current release and application source. The
installer, permission prompts and real VPN tunnel still require final
verification on clean Intel and Apple silicon Macs before publication.

## Before you start

You need:

- macOS 12 Monterey or later;
- an Intel or Apple silicon Mac;
- an active VilaVPN account; and
- permission to install applications and approve VPN changes on the Mac.

## 1. Download VilaNet

Choose one official source:

- **Mac App Store:** [Get VilaNet from Apple](https://apps.apple.com/app/vilanet/id6446468411). This is the simplest installation method and supports App Store updates.
- **Universal DMG:** [Download VilaNet 2.12.82 for macOS](https://github.com/vilavpn/vilanet/releases/download/v2.12.82/VilaNet-for-macOS-2.12.82.dmg). The same file supports Intel and Apple silicon Macs.

You can also reach current downloads through the
[VilaVPN downloads page](https://vilavpn.com/index.php?rp=/download) or review
the files on the
[public VilaNet 2.12.82 release page](https://github.com/vilavpn/vilanet/releases/tag/v2.12.82).

Do not install a copy received through an unsolicited message or an unofficial
download site.

## 2. Install the app

### Mac App Store

1. On the VilaNet App Store page, select **Get** or the download button.
2. Complete Apple's confirmation if requested.
3. When installation finishes, select **Open**.

### Universal DMG

1. Open `VilaNet-for-macOS-2.12.82.dmg` from **Downloads**.
2. In the installer window, drag **VilaNet** to **Applications**.
3. Eject the VilaNet disk image.
4. Open **Applications**, then open **VilaNet**.
5. If macOS asks whether to open an app downloaded from the internet, confirm
   only when the app name and download source match this guide.

## 3. Sign in

1. Open VilaNet.
2. Review the linked EULA and Privacy Policy.
3. If the consent checkbox is not already selected, select it and review the
   minimal-data consent message.
4. Select **Allow** if you agree and want to continue.
5. Enter your VilaVPN account email under **E-mail**.
6. Enter your account password under **Password**.
7. Select **Login**.

VilaNet should open the main screen. An expired or inactive package must be
renewed before it can connect.

## 4. Choose a server and connect

The connection controls are shared with the other VilaNet apps.

![VilaNet automatic location selection and the Connect control in a compact macOS window](/assets/vilanet/vilanet-connect-controls-ja-macos-2.12.52.png)

This is a real VilaNet 2.12.52 capture on macOS 26.3.1, resized to a 600 x 700
window before capture. The app locale is Japanese: `自動選択` means **Auto
Select** and `接続` means **Connect**. The written guide remains scoped to the
current 2.12.82 release; the accepted screenshot-version difference is recorded
in the image register.

1. Open **Server Nodes**.
2. Choose **Auto Select** for the fastest available server, unless you need a
   specific location.
3. Return to the main screen.
4. Select **Connect**.
5. If you installed from the DMG and remain in its default **Proxy Mode**, no
   VPN or system-extension prompt is expected. Continue to step 8.
6. In TUN mode, review any macOS prompt that names VilaNet and asks to add a VPN
   configuration or activate its VPN component, then approve it.
7. If macOS opens system settings, approve the VilaNet system extension in the
   location shown for your version:
   - macOS 13 through 15: **System Settings > Privacy & Security**;
   - macOS 26 or later: **System Settings > General > Login Items &
     Extensions**; or
   - macOS 12: **System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General**.
8. Return to VilaNet if necessary and select **Connect** again.
9. Wait for **Connecting** to change to **Connected**.

### Choose Proxy Mode or TUN Mode

The direct DMG build can use **Proxy Mode** for HTTP/SOCKS proxying or **TUN
Mode** for a system-level VPN tunnel. Open **Settings**, review **Connection
Mode**, and choose the mode required by your setup. TUN Mode can trigger the
macOS approval described above.

![VilaNet macOS connection settings with TUN Mode and Proxy Mode](/assets/vilanet/vilanet-connection-settings-ja-macos-2.12.52.png)

In this Japanese capture, `TUNモード` is **TUN Mode** and `プロキシモード` is
**Proxy Mode**. It is a privacy-safe crop of the real settings screen; account,
package, public-IP and local-proxy details are outside the image.

Do not approve a system or administrator prompt that names an unrelated app.

## 5. Confirm that it works

1. Leave VilaNet open for a few seconds and confirm it remains **Connected**.
2. Open a browser and load two familiar HTTPS websites.
3. Return to VilaNet and confirm it still shows **Connected**.

The app status and working web traffic together are a stronger check than an
IP-check website alone. See
[Confirm VilaVPN is working](/en/start-here/confirm-vilavpn-is-working/) for
the complete verification steps.

## If something goes wrong

### The app will not install or open

- Confirm the Mac is running macOS 12 or later.
- Delete the incomplete installer and download it again from an official link
  above.
- For the DMG, confirm VilaNet was copied to **Applications** before opening it.
- If macOS reports an unexpected developer or security warning, do not bypass
  it. Preserve the exact message and contact support.

### The VPN permission was denied

- Open the system-extension approval location listed in step 7 and check for a
  pending VilaNet approval.
- Approve only the VilaNet component, then return to the app and select
  **Connect** again.
- If no approval is available, preserve the error message before reinstalling.

### Login or connection fails

- Confirm the email address has no extra spaces and the subscription is active.
- Confirm ordinary internet access works while VilaNet is disconnected.
- Try **Auto Select** once.
- Record the exact error and preserve diagnostics before changing advanced
  settings or reinstalling.
- Continue to [Cannot sign in](/en/troubleshooting/cannot-sign-in/) or
  [Cannot connect](/en/troubleshooting/cannot-connect/).

## Next step

Learn [how to choose a specific server](/en/common-tasks/choose-a-server/), or
keep **Auto Select** enabled for normal use.