Ever wish you could have some apps use your VPN while others connect directly to the internet? Well, good news! Surfshark offers a fantastic feature called Bypasser, which is their version of split tunneling, and it lets you do exactly that. It’s super handy for tailoring your online experience, giving you the best of both worlds: enhanced security for sensitive tasks and full speed for everything else. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Surfshark’s per-app VPN functionality, from what it is to how to set it up, and even why you’d want to use it in the first place.
Before we jump in, if you’re looking to grab Surfshark and experience this for yourself, you can snag an exclusive deal by clicking right here:
So, let’s get into how Surfshark helps you take control of your internet traffic.
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What is Per-App VPN Split Tunneling Anyway?
Think of split tunneling like having two lanes on a highway: one for your VPN-protected traffic and another for your regular, unencrypted internet traffic. Normally, when you turn on a VPN, all your internet activity goes through that secure, encrypted tunnel. This is great for privacy, but sometimes it can slow things down or cause issues with apps that need your real location or a direct connection.
Surfshark’s Bypasser feature solves this by letting you pick and choose. You can decide which specific applications, websites, or even IP addresses use the VPN tunnel and which ones bypass it entirely. It’s like being the traffic controller of your own internet connection!
Why You’d Want This Feature
There are a bunch of reasons why being able to direct your internet traffic like this is super useful:
- Accessing Local Network Devices: Imagine you’re connected to your VPN, but you need to print something on your home printer or access a local network drive. Without split tunneling, this can be tricky because your VPN makes it look like you’re somewhere else. Bypasser lets these local connections run normally.
- Faster Speeds for Data-Heavy Apps: Streaming 4K videos or into online gaming? These activities often demand a lot of bandwidth. Routing them outside the VPN can give you faster, smoother performance, as your traffic doesn’t need to be encrypted and decrypted by the VPN server. This is especially true for games where low latency is key.
- Using Services That Block VPNs: Some online banking apps, government websites, or streaming services might get a bit finicky and block you if they detect a VPN connection. With Bypasser, you can easily set these specific apps or websites to skip the VPN, so they work without a hitch, while the rest of your browsing stays secure.
- Saving VPN Data: If your VPN plan has data limits though Surfshark offers unlimited devices and bandwidth, so this is less of a concern there, routing non-essential traffic outside the VPN can help you conserve your encrypted data.
- Simultaneous Access: You could be securely accessing work resources through your VPN, while simultaneously enjoying a streaming service from another country via your regular internet, or vice-versa.
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Getting Started: Setting Up Surfshark’s Bypasser Split Tunneling
Setting up Bypasser in Surfshark is pretty straightforward, and the app’s interface is generally intuitive and easy to use across different platforms. Surfshark calls their split tunneling feature “Bypasser,” and it offers two main options: “Bypass VPN” and “Route via VPN”.
- Bypass VPN: This is when you select specific applications or websites that you don’t want to go through the VPN. Their traffic will use your regular internet connection.
- Route via VPN: This option lets you choose which apps or websites only use the VPN tunnel. All other traffic will bypass the VPN. This is available on Android for both apps and websites, and on Windows for apps only.
Here’s a general step-by-step guide that works for most devices, with some platform-specific nuances we’ll cover.
On Windows
Surfshark’s Bypasser is available and works really well on Windows. Massage chair free shipping
- Open the Surfshark App: Make sure you have the Surfshark app installed and you’re logged in. If you don’t have it yet, you can get it from the Surfshark website.
- Navigate to Settings: On the left-hand side panel of the app, click on Settings.
- Go to VPN Settings: In the Settings tab, click on VPN settings.
- Find Bypasser: You’ll see an option for Bypasser. Click on it.
- Choose Your Functionality: Toggle the switch to enable your preferred Bypasser option: Bypass VPN or Route via VPN.
- Add Apps or Websites/IPs:
- For Apps: If you chose “Bypass VPN” or “Route via VPN” for applications, you’ll see a list of apps installed on your device. Just check the box next to the apps you want to include in the Bypasser rule. If you can’t find an app, you can manually add its .exe file.
- For Websites/IP addresses Bypass VPN only: If you’re looking to bypass certain websites or IP addresses, enable “Bypass VPN” under the “Websites / IP addresses” tab. Then, click “Add websites or IP addresses” and type in the URL or IP.
- Save and Connect: Once you’ve added your desired apps, websites, or IP addresses, save your settings and connect to any VPN server location. The changes will take effect immediately.
On Android
Surfshark’s Bypasser also works seamlessly on Android, and it even offers GPS spoofing as an extra layer of privacy.
- Open the Surfshark Android App: Launch the app on your Android device.
- Tap Settings: Look for the Settings option, usually at the bottom bar.
- Go to VPN Settings: Tap on VPN Settings.
- Tap Bypasser: Select Bypasser from the menu.
- Choose Your Option: You can choose between Bypass VPN or Route via VPN. This guide will cover “Bypass VPN,” but “Route via VPN” has an identical setup process.
- Enable Bypasser: Tap on the switch bar to enable your chosen method.
- Select Applications or Websites:
- For Apps: Tap on the “Apps selected” bar. You’ll see a list of supported applications. Select the apps you want to bypass the VPN connection by tapping the box next to them.
- For Websites: Similar to apps, you can select websites to bypass the VPN by tapping “Websites selected” and adding the URLs.
- Return and Connect: Head back to the main Surfshark screen and connect to your preferred VPN location. Your selected apps or websites will now behave according to your Bypasser rules.
On macOS and iOS
This is where things get a bit interesting! For a while, Apple devices had some limitations with split tunneling due to changes Apple made in 2020. However, Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that managed to bring split tunneling Bypasser to iOS and macOS, which is pretty impressive.
- On iOS: Surfshark’s Bypasser for iOS allows you to route specific websites outside the VPN tunnel. This means you can’t pick individual apps on iOS, but you can exclude specific web addresses.
- Open the Surfshark app and go to Settings > VPN settings > Bypasser.
- Tap on Add website to enter the URL you want to exclude from the VPN.
- On macOS: Surfshark’s Bypasser on macOS is more versatile, allowing you to bypass both websites and apps. The steps are very similar to Windows:
- You’ll then be able to choose to bypass or route specific applications and websites.
For Apple TV
Apple TV now has a native Surfshark VPN app for devices running tvOS 17 or later, which simplifies things significantly. While the native app directly sets up a VPN connection for the entire device, specific per-app routing through Bypasser isn’t directly available within the Apple TV app itself like on other operating systems. However, you can achieve a similar effect through other methods:
- VPN Router Setup: If you install Surfshark on your Wi-Fi router, every device connected to that router, including your Apple TV, will be protected by the VPN. Some routers might offer their own form of split tunneling, allowing you to manage traffic at the router level. This method is a bit more technical, requiring a VPN-compatible router and importing Surfshark’s configuration files.
- Smart DNS: Surfshark also offers Smart DNS, which is a lightweight alternative for bypassing geo-restrictions on devices that don’t fully support VPN apps, like older Apple TV models. It doesn’t encrypt your traffic, but it can make it look like you’re in a different region to access content. You can set this up in your Apple TV’s network settings by manually entering Smart DNS server addresses from your Surfshark dashboard.
- Virtual Router: For Windows users, you can create a virtual router on your PC with the VPN connected and then connect your Apple TV to that hotspot. This essentially routes your Apple TV’s traffic through your computer’s VPN connection.
The easiest way for newer Apple TVs tvOS 17+ is definitely through the native app:
- Subscribe to Surfshark: Make sure you have an active Surfshark subscription.
- Download the App: Go to the App Store on your Apple TV running tvOS 17+ and search for “Surfshark VPN.” Download and install it.
- Log In: Open the app and log in. Using a QR code with your phone is often the quickest way.
- Connect: Select a country to connect to. The first time, it’ll ask if you want to configure a VPN – say yes.
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Surfshark’s Performance: Speed and Security You Can Trust
Beyond the handy Bypasser feature, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate Surfshark’s overall performance. After all, a VPN is only as good as its speed and security, right?
Blazing Fast Speeds
One of the things that really stands out about Surfshark is its speed. Reviews consistently highlight Surfshark as one of the fastest VPNs available today. In recent tests, Surfshark achieved speeds of over 950 Mbps using the WireGuard protocol, which is incredibly impressive and can easily handle demanding activities like 4K streaming, gaming, and large downloads without a hitch. Some tests show an average download speed retention of 81% with WireGuard, which is excellent.
This consistent speed is thanks to its modern VPN protocols and a vast network of over 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, many of which are 10Gbps servers. What this means for you is less buffering, smoother online experiences, and the ability to enjoy your internet connection without feeling like it’s dragging its feet because of the VPN.
Rock-Solid Security
When it comes to keeping your online activities private and secure, Surfshark doesn’t mess around. It’s built on strong security foundations, making it a reliable choice. Free ai voice generator korean
- AES-256 Encryption: Surfshark uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption, which is essentially military-grade and extremely difficult to crack.
- Strict No-Logs Policy: This is super important. Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t collect, track, or store your online activities, IP addresses, browsing history, or any other personal data. This commitment to privacy has even led them to make tough decisions, like removing physical servers from India when new data retention laws conflicted with their no-logs promise.
- Advanced Protocols: You get access to secure VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, giving you options for speed and security depending on your needs.
- Kill Switch: This essential feature automatically cuts your internet connection if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops, preventing your real IP address or data from being exposed.
- CleanWeb: This feature acts as an ad and malware blocker, enhancing your browsing experience by stopping annoying ads, trackers, and malicious websites.
- Audited for Trust: Surfshark’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte, adding an extra layer of trust and transparency.
With these features, Surfshark offers a robust shield for your digital life, whether you’re browsing, streaming, gaming, or torrenting.
Surfshark in India: What You Need to Know
For users in India, there’s a specific situation to be aware of regarding VPN services. While using a VPN in India is generally legal, a new law implemented in April 2022 requires VPN providers to store user data for five years. This includes things like usernames, phone numbers, and activity logs, which directly conflicts with a VPN’s core promise of privacy and a no-logs policy.
Because of this, Surfshark, along with other major VPN providers, made the decision to remove their physical servers from India. This was done to uphold their strict no-logs policy and ensure they don’t have to compromise user privacy by collecting and storing data. Sewing machine miniature
So, what does this mean for you?
You can still use Surfshark to get an Indian IP address! Surfshark now offers virtual servers for India. These servers are physically located in other countries like Singapore and London but provide IP addresses that are registered to India. This means you can still access geo-restricted Indian content and services as if you were in India, without Surfshark having to log your data in compliance with the local laws.
For users outside India who want to connect to an Indian server, or for those in India who want to connect to servers elsewhere, the experience remains largely unchanged.
Unlimited Connections and User-Friendly Design
One of Surfshark’s standout features is its unlimited simultaneous connections policy. Unlike many other VPNs that limit you to a handful of devices, Surfshark lets you protect all your gadgets – phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles – with a single subscription. This is fantastic for households with multiple users and devices, ensuring everyone stays protected without needing multiple subscriptions.
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The app itself is known for being slick, intuitive, and easy to use across all platforms. Whether you’re a VPN newbie or a seasoned pro, you’ll find it simple to navigate, connect to servers, and manage features like Bypasser. The design is clean, organized, and makes connecting to a server or tweaking settings a breeze.
Exploring Surfshark’s Broader Ecosystem
Surfshark isn’t just a VPN anymore. it’s evolved into a more comprehensive cybersecurity suite, especially with its “Surfshark One” and “Surfshark One+” plans. These packages bundle the VPN with additional tools to enhance your online privacy and security even further.
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Some of these extra features include:
- Antivirus: Protects your devices from malware by scanning files and providing real-time defense.
- Alternative ID: Helps you create new email aliases and alternative online personas to protect your real identity from spam and data breaches.
- Surfshark Alert: Scans the dark web to notify you if your personal information like email addresses or passwords has been compromised in a data breach.
- Surfshark Search: A private search tool that lets you browse the internet without ads, trackers, or personalized results.
- Dynamic MultiHop Double VPN: For an extra layer of security, this feature routes your traffic through two different VPN servers instead of one.
These additions mean that Surfshark offers a lot of value, extending beyond just basic VPN protection to give you a more complete digital security toolkit.
Surfshark vs. The Competition
While Surfshark offers incredible value, especially with its unlimited connections and robust feature set, it’s always good to see how it stacks up against other popular VPNs. Many experts often compare Surfshark to big names like NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
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- NordVPN: Often lauded for its high-end security features and overall reliability, NordVPN is a strong competitor, offering features like Threat Protection Pro that goes beyond basic ad blocking. It scored slightly higher in some expert ratings.
- ExpressVPN: Known for its strong compatibility across various devices and fast speeds, ExpressVPN is another top-tier VPN.
- Private Internet Access PIA: Sometimes considered a more budget-friendly option with good features, PIA is also an open-source VPN, which appeals to users who want to verify its code for security.
- ProtonVPN: Respected for its strong focus on privacy and being based in Switzerland, a country with robust privacy laws.
Surfshark remains a compelling choice due to its balance of affordability, unlimited devices, impressive speeds, and growing suite of security tools. Even with a slight increase in renewal prices recently, it still offers great value compared to many competitors.
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it! Surfshark’s per-app VPN feature, “Bypasser,” is a seriously powerful tool that gives you fine-grained control over your online privacy and performance. Whether you’re trying to speed up your streaming, access a local printer, or just make sure your banking app works smoothly while the rest of your internet traffic stays encrypted, Bypasser has you covered.
With Surfshark, you’re not just getting a VPN. you’re getting a comprehensive digital privacy solution that’s fast, secure, user-friendly, and packed with innovative features. Plus, with unlimited simultaneous connections, you can protect every device in your home without breaking the bank. Pellet grill ribs fast
If you’re ready to experience this level of control and security for yourself, don’t miss out on the current deals! You can click here to get started with Surfshark and enjoy all these benefits today:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Surfshark’s Bypasser, and how does it work?
Surfshark’s Bypasser is their version of split tunneling, a VPN feature that lets you choose which internet traffic goes through the encrypted VPN tunnel and which bypasses it to use your regular internet connection. It works by creating two separate paths for your data, allowing you to specify apps, websites, or even IP addresses that either always use the VPN Route via VPN or never use it Bypass VPN.
Can I use Surfshark’s per-app VPN feature on all my devices?
Surfshark’s Bypasser split tunneling is available on Windows, Android, and macOS. For iOS, it supports bypassing specific websites, but not individual apps. On Apple TV, while there isn’t a direct per-app VPN within the native app, you can achieve similar results through a VPN-configured router or by using Surfshark’s Smart DNS feature. Voice over generator free online
Is Surfshark VPN safe to use?
Yes, Surfshark VPN is considered very safe to use. It employs AES-256 encryption, which is industry-standard and highly secure. Surfshark also maintains a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t store your online activity or personal data, and this policy has been independently audited by Deloitte. Additionally, it includes security features like a Kill Switch, CleanWeb ad and malware blocker, and secure VPN protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2.
How fast is Surfshark VPN?
Surfshark is known for being one of the fastest VPN services on the market. Recent tests using the WireGuard protocol showed speeds exceeding 950 Mbps, which is more than enough for data-intensive activities like 4K streaming, online gaming, and large file downloads without any noticeable slowdowns or buffering. This performance is supported by their network of over 3,200+ servers in 100 countries.
Is Surfshark VPN available in India?
Yes, Surfshark VPN is available in India, but there’s an important detail to remember. Due to new Indian data retention laws introduced in 2022 that require VPN providers to log user data, Surfshark along with other major VPNs removed its physical servers from India to uphold its strict no-logs policy. However, Surfshark still offers virtual servers for India, which are physically located outside the country e.g., in Singapore or London but provide Indian IP addresses. This allows users to access Indian content while maintaining their privacy.
Can I use Surfshark VPN on Apple TV?
Absolutely! Surfshark now has a dedicated native app for Apple TV devices running tvOS 17 or later, making setup incredibly easy. You simply download the app from the Apple TV App Store, log in, and connect to your desired server location. For older Apple TV models or if you prefer, you can also set up Surfshark on your Wi-Fi router to protect all connected devices, or use its Smart DNS feature to bypass geo-restrictions.
What is the difference between “Bypass VPN” and “Route via VPN” in Surfshark?
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- Bypass VPN means that the specific apps or websites you select will not use the VPN connection. Their traffic will go directly through your regular internet service provider, unencrypted. This is useful for apps that require your local IP or are sensitive to VPN connections.
- Route via VPN means that only the specific apps or websites you select will use the VPN connection. All other internet traffic from your device will bypass the VPN and use your regular connection. This is great if you only want certain activities encrypted, while keeping everything else at full speed.
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