Onion VPN for Mac: Support and FAQ
Onion VPN provides extra security over regular VPN systems by enabling you to route all of your internet traffic through the Tor network.
Please note that Onion VPN does not provide access to .onion websites, it’s intended solely as a security tool.
Onion VPN subscriptions are paid for via in-app purchases in the Apple App Store or by Flow VPN automatic PayPal subscription.
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Questions
How can I share my VPN subscription between my Mac and my iPhone / iPad?
Easy. The main page of the app has a blue ‘account’ button, select that and you’ll be given the opportunity to create an account enabling you to log in on other devices.
Tap the ‘new account’ link to create your account, then use your email address and password to log in from another of our apps and / or on a different device.
Which VPN protocol should I use? PPTP, L2TP or OpenVPN?
Some regular VPN users have a clear personal preference. but if not, it probably comes down to using whichever works best for you.
Some wifi and mobile networks don’t support all connection protocols so you might find that you need to try them all to find the one that works for you.
OpenVPN takes a bit longer to configure, so we’d suggest that you start with PPTP and L2TP.
How can I connect via OpenVPN?
OpenVPN is a VPN protocol renowned for speed and security. If you’ve been having difficulty connecting via PPTP and L2TP we’d recommend trying OpenVPN.
If you don’t have a Flow VPN account:
1. Open Onion VPN and click the blue ‘account’ button
2. Create a new account with your email address and a password of your choice
3. You’ll be sent an email with a verification link. Click the link and you’ll be taken to the Flow VPN client area
4. Choose a VPN server location
5. Click the Mac button to find configuration instructions including how to download the FlowVPN OpenVPN app to access OpenVPN
If you already have a Flow VPN account:
Go to the Flow VPN Knowledgebase Mac configuration page where you’ll find instructions on how to download and configure the FlowVPN OpenVPN app. Use your Flow VPN account to log in when you’re ready to connect.
Where can I find my VPN account name?
Onion VPN shows your account name at the bottom of the app’s main page.
You can also find your account name by navigating to System Preferences > Network > TOR VPN.
How can I delete a VPN profile from my Mac?
To delete a VPN profile from your Mac, go to System Preferences > Network, select the profile you want to delete and click the – button.
Please note that a known bug with some versions of OS X prevents some profiles from being deleted.
My account has been blocked - what should I do?
Our network doesn’t support usage of BitTorrent and peer-to-peer file sharing. Traffic is automatically checked and if BitTorrent packets are detected the user account will be automatically blocked.
Sometimes you don’t even need to be actively using peer to peer – if you have a BitTorrent client installed it might send a small amount of traffic in the background occasionally and that would be sufficient to block your VPN account, so we recommend uninstalling BitTorrent software while using our VPN service.
Please also be aware that some other software has BitTorrent clients built in, a good example being Torch web browser.
If your account is blocked you can easily unblock it by opening the Onion VPN app and clicking the link:
I can't connect, I see an error ``server did not respond``
If when you try to connect you see an error along the lines of “server did not respond”, assuming that your network connection is good and you’re online, it’s possible that your network doesn’t support the VPN protocol you’re using.
If you’ve been trying to connect using your PPTP profile, try L2TP instead. If you’re tried both PPTP and L2TP, try OpenVPN.
Can I use my Onion VPN subscription on my Windows PC or Android?
It is possible to use your Onion VPN subscription on Windows and Android. If you haven’t already, first you need to create a Flow VPN user account:
- In Onion VPN, tap the blue ‘account’ button
- Enter your email address and a password of your choice
- Select ‘New account’ then enter your password again
- Select ‘Create Account’
- Go to the Flow VPN client area and log in with your email address and password
- You’ll be sent an email. Click the link in the email to verify your email address.
- You’ll be taken to your Flow VPN client area. Select a server location (or TOR server), then click the Windows or Android button for configuration instructions.
How can I cancel my subscription?
If you’ve paid for your VPN subscription through an in-app purchase you don’t need to cancel, your subscription will come to an end after the expiry date shown in your VPN app and you won’t be charged again until you make another in-app purchase.