If you’re wondering how to selectively bypass VPN protection using Surfshark, the key is its Bypasser feature, which is essentially split tunneling. This smart tool lets you decide exactly which apps or websites use the VPN and which ones go directly through your regular internet connection. It’s super handy for keeping some things local, speeding up certain apps that don’t need encryption, or dealing with those stubborn banking sites and smart home devices that just don’t play nice with a VPN.

But Surfshark offers more than just Bypasser for navigating online restrictions. We’ll also chat about its NoBorders mode, which is a fantastic feature for really tough network blocks, and even Dynamic MultiHop for when you need extra layers of privacy. So, whether you’re trying to watch local content, use a banking app without a fuss, or just get faster speeds for your gaming, Surfshark has some powerful tools to help you tailor your online protection exactly how you need it. By the end of this, you’ll know how to take full control of your internet experience, ensuring both security and flexibility.

What Does “Bypass VPN” Really Mean?

Alright, let’s get into what “bypassing your VPN” actually means. Think of your VPN as a super-secure tunnel for all your internet traffic. Normally, everything you do online goes through this tunnel, getting encrypted and hiding your real IP address. But sometimes, you don’t want everything to go through that tunnel.

0.0

0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)

Excellent0%

Very good0%

Average0%

Poor0%

Terrible0%

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Amazon.com: Check Amazon for How to Bypass
Latest Discussions & Reviews:

That’s where “VPN bypassing” comes in. It’s about creating a shortcut, letting specific bits of your internet traffic completely skip the VPN tunnel and use your regular, unprotected internet connection instead.

Why would anyone want to do this? Well, there are a few common reasons:

Accessing Local Services: Imagine you’re connected to a VPN server in another country for privacy, but then you try to access your online banking app or print something to your home printer. These services often need to see your real, local IP address to work. Bypassing the VPN for them means no more frustrating error messages.
Faster Speeds for Specific Apps: VPNs, while amazing for security, can sometimes slow down your internet connection a bit because of the encryption process. If you’re using a data-heavy app like a video game or a streaming service that doesn’t need the extra VPN protection, you can bypass it to get your full, normal internet speed.
Avoiding VPN Detection: Some websites, especially streaming services or certain online portals, have gotten pretty good at detecting and blocking VPN connections. If a site is giving you trouble while your VPN is on, bypassing it allows you to access it directly.

Surfshark’s version of this neat trick is called Bypasser, which is essentially their split tunneling technology. It’s like having a traffic controller for your internet, letting you direct exactly where your data goes.

What Exactly is Surfshark VPN?

Surfshark’s Bypasser: Your Tool for Selective VPN Protection

Surfshark’s Bypasser feature is your go-to for customizing your VPN protection. It used to be called Whitelister, but the name changed to Bypasser, which I think makes more sense! What it does is create two separate internet connections on your device: one that’s fully encrypted by Surfshark’s VPN and another that uses your regular, unprotected internet. This setup gives you the power to pick and choose what goes through which connection.

It’s pretty impressive that Surfshark offers this on almost all its major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and even iOS, plus their browser extensions. Many other VPNs often skip split tunneling for Apple devices because of how Apple’s systems work, so it’s a big win for Surfshark users.

How to Set Up Surfshark’s Bypasser

Getting Bypasser up and running is straightforward, but the exact steps can vary a tiny bit depending on your device and whether you want to bypass apps or just websites. Unlocking the Best Surfshark VPN Deals: Your Ultimate Guide

On Windows & Android for apps and websites

For Windows and Android users, you get the most flexibility – you can decide whether individual apps or specific websites/IP addresses bypass the VPN or get routed through it.

Here’s how you typically set it up:

Open the Surfshark app on your device.
Look for Settings usually a gear icon. On Android, it’s often on the bottom bar, and on Windows, it’s typically on the left-hand side panel.
Go to VPN Settings.
Find and click on Bypasser.
Now, you’ll see two main options:
* Bypass VPN: This is for applications or websites you want to exclude from the VPN connection. They’ll use your regular internet. Think banking apps or local streaming services.
* Route via VPN: This option is the opposite. It lets you select specific applications or websites that will be the only ones to use the VPN connection, while everything else uses your normal internet. This can be great if you only want your torrent client encrypted, for example.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred Bypasser option, click on Select apps or Add websites / IP addresses.
- For apps, you’ll see a list of applications on your device. Just check the box next to the ones you want to add. If you can’t find an app, you might need to manually locate its .exe file on Windows.
- For websites or IP addresses, a window will pop up where you can type in the URL or IP.
After making your selections, you might need to reconnect to a VPN server for the changes to take effect.

Keep in mind, if you’re using “Bypass VPN,” anything not on that list will still be protected by the VPN. If you’re using “Route via VPN,” only the things on that list will be protected, and everything else will be unprotected.

On iOS & macOS for websites only

For Apple users, Bypasser is fantastic, but there’s a slight difference: it works specifically for websites, not individual apps, on both iOS iPhone, iPad and macOS. This is due to some technical changes Apple made.

Here’s how to set it up: Surfshark vpn prices

Open the Surfshark app on your iOS or macOS device.
Go to Settings.
Click on VPN Settings.
Tap on Bypasser.
Click Add website.
Type in the URL of the website you want to bypass meaning it won’t be affected by the VPN and tap Add.
You can add more or remove websites from this list as needed.

It’s a really convenient way to handle those IP-sensitive websites like banking portals without constantly turning your whole VPN off and on.

When is Surfshark’s Bypasser Your Best Friend?

The Bypasser feature isn’t just a cool trick. it’s genuinely useful in a bunch of everyday situations where a full VPN connection might actually get in your way. Here are some scenarios where it really shines:

Accessing Your Local Network Devices: Ever tried to print a document or connect to your smart home gadgets like smart lights or a security camera feed while your VPN is on? It often doesn’t work! That’s because these devices usually need to see your real, local IP address. With Bypasser, you can easily exclude your printer app or smart home control app from the VPN, letting them connect directly while everything else stays protected.
Dealing with Banking Apps and Websites: Oh, the dreaded banking app! Many financial institutions are super strict about security and will often flag or block connections coming from a VPN IP address, assuming it might be fraudulent activity. This means you’re constantly turning your VPN off, doing your banking, and then remembering to turn it back on. By adding your banking website or app to the bypass list, you can seamlessly access it with your real IP, while the rest of your browsing remains secure.
Streaming Local Content While Protecting Other Traffic: Let’s say you’re on vacation and want to catch up on a local news channel from back home, but you also want to securely browse other sites. If you connect to a VPN server in a different country, that local content might become unavailable because it thinks you’re abroad. Bypasser lets you tell your streaming app or local news website to use your regular connection, while your social media or email still goes through the secure VPN tunnel.
Boosting Speeds for Data-Heavy Apps: VPNs do add a tiny bit of overhead because of the encryption and routing. For things that chew up a lot of bandwidth, like large file downloads, online gaming, or 4K video streaming, you might notice a slight dip in speed. If security isn’t a top concern for that specific activity e.g., playing a non-competitive single-player game, you can bypass the VPN to get your maximum internet speed. This can significantly reduce latency and buffering.
Gaming Online with Lower Latency: Competitive online gaming needs every millisecond it can get. While some gamers use VPNs to access region-locked games or reduce ping to specific servers, a general VPN connection can sometimes increase ping due to the extra hop. Bypasser allows your game to connect directly, potentially giving you lower latency while other applications stay encrypted.

In essence, Bypasser gives you fine-grained control, making your VPN experience much more flexible and less of a hassle for those specific situations where full VPN protection isn’t necessary or actively causes problems. Surfshark VPN: Unpacking the ‘Script’ and Beyond

“Surfshark Bypass VPN Not Working”: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might try to set up Surfshark’s Bypasser, or even just use the VPN generally, and run into issues. It can be super frustrating when you’re thinking, “My Surfshark bypass isn’t working!” or “Why won’t my Surfshark VPN connect?” Don’t worry, many of these problems have straightforward solutions. Let’s walk through some common troubleshooting steps.

Double-Check Your Bypasser Settings: This is usually the first place to look. Did you correctly add the app or website to the “Bypass VPN” list to exclude it from the VPN or the “Route via VPN” list to only send it through the VPN? It’s easy to get these mixed up, especially with the “Bypass VPN meaning” being counter-intuitive for some. Make sure the specific item you want to bypass is actually on the bypass list. For apps, ensure you selected the right one. For websites, double-check the URL for any typos.
Update Your Surfshark App: VPN providers constantly update their apps to fix bugs, improve performance, and adapt to changes in operating systems or website blocking techniques. If your Surfshark bypass isn’t working, make sure you’re running the latest version of the app. Outdated software can often cause unexpected glitches.
Give Everything a Quick Restart: The classic IT advice holds true for a reason! Sometimes, a simple restart of your Surfshark app, your device phone, computer, and even your router can clear up temporary network hiccups or software conflicts.
Switch VPN Servers or Protocols: If you’re encountering a general VPN block, or a specific website is still detecting your VPN even with Bypasser, try connecting to a different Surfshark server. Many services block known VPN IP addresses, and switching might land you on a fresh, unblocked one. Also, experiment with different VPN protocols. Surfshark offers WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP/TCP, and IKEv2. Sometimes, switching from the default protocol often WireGuard for speed to OpenVPN especially TCP can help bypass stricter network firewalls because it’s designed to be more robust against detection.
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Websites can be pretty smart about remembering things. If you tried to access a site with your VPN on and got blocked, it might have stored cookies or cached data that still signals you’re using a VPN, even after you’ve added it to Bypasser. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can give you a fresh start.
Check for DNS Leaks: A DNS leak means your device is revealing your real IP address through your Internet Service Provider’s ISP DNS servers, even when your VPN is active. This is a common reason why “can VPN be bypassed” by websites or why “Surfshark bypass not working” as expected. You can do a quick DNS leak test online. Surfshark uses private DNS on its servers and offers IPv6 leak protection, which helps prevent this. If a leak is detected, ensuring your Surfshark app’s leak protection features are enabled they usually are by default should resolve it.
Contact Surfshark Support: Honestly, if you’ve tried all the basic troubleshooting and your “Surfshark bypass vpn not working” problem persists, don’t hesitate to reach out to Surfshark’s customer support. They offer 24/7 support and are usually quite good at helping you diagnose and fix more complex issues. They’re the experts, after all!

By systematically going through these steps, you’ll likely find a solution to get your Surfshark VPN, and its Bypasser feature, working exactly as you expect.

Is Surfshark VPN Available in China? Navigating the Great Firewall with Surfshark

Beyond Bypasser: Other Surfshark Features for Navigating Restrictions

While Bypasser is fantastic for selective VPN use, Surfshark has a whole arsenal of other features designed to help you navigate online restrictions and enhance your privacy, especially when you encounter really stubborn blocks. These tools go beyond simply letting traffic bypass the VPN. they’re about making your VPN connection itself more resilient and less detectable.

NoBorders Mode Obfuscation

Imagine you’re in a place with heavy internet censorship, like a highly restrictive country or even just a school or work network that tries to block VPNs entirely. Regular VPN traffic can sometimes be detected and blocked by advanced firewalls. That’s where NoBorders mode comes in.

What it is: NoBorders mode is Surfshark’s version of obfuscation. It cleverly disguises your VPN traffic, making it look like regular, unencrypted internet traffic. This makes it incredibly difficult for network administrators or government firewalls to tell that you’re even using a VPN.
When it activates: The cool thing about NoBorders is that it often activates automatically! If the Surfshark app detects that your network is trying to restrict your access – for example, by detecting a firewall or geo-blocking – it will automatically switch to NoBorders mode. It then provides you with a list of servers that are optimized for working under such restrictions.
Benefits: This feature is crucial for users in regions with strict internet censorship or those trying to bypass firewalls that are actively blocking VPNs. It’s your ticket to accessing uncensored content and maintaining your privacy even on highly restricted networks.
How to enable: While it usually turns on by itself, you can also enable NoBorders mode manually within the app’s advanced settings on Android, macOS, and iOS.

Dynamic MultiHop Double VPN

For those times when you need maximum privacy and want to make your online trail almost impossible to follow, Surfshark offers Dynamic MultiHop.

What it is: MultiHop, also known as a double VPN, routes your internet traffic through two separate VPN servers instead of just one. This means your data is encrypted twice and passes through two different geographical locations.
What makes it “Dynamic”? Unlike many other VPNs where MultiHop server pairs are pre-selected, Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop allows you to choose any two servers from their extensive network over 3200 servers in 100 countries to create your own custom double VPN connection. This gives you incredible flexibility to adapt to your specific security or bypassing needs.
Benefits: Routing your data through two servers massively increases your privacy and makes it incredibly difficult for anyone to trace your online activities back to you. This enhanced security can also be a strong asset when trying to bypass sophisticated VPN detection systems, as your real IP is obscured by two layers.
Part of Surfshark Nexus: Dynamic MultiHop is powered by Surfshark Nexus technology, which connects all Surfshark servers into a single, global network, allowing for this seamless customizability.

CleanWeb

While not directly a “bypass” feature, CleanWeb significantly improves your browsing experience and can sometimes help with site loading issues that might feel like a block. Is Surfshark VPN Available in Pakistan? Your Ultimate Guide

What it is: CleanWeb is Surfshark’s built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker.
Benefits: By filtering out unwanted content, CleanWeb ensures a faster, cleaner, and safer browsing experience. Annoying pop-ups or resource-heavy ads can sometimes interfere with how a website loads or functions, so blocking them can indirectly resolve some access issues.

Rotating IP

Another feature from the Surfshark Nexus suite, Rotating IP, adds an extra layer of privacy that can aid in bypassing certain types of blocks.

What it is: With Rotating IP, your IP address automatically changes every 5 to 10 minutes while you remain connected to the same VPN server location.
Benefits: This constant change makes it extremely difficult for websites or trackers to build a profile of your online activity or track you persistently. For bypassing services that might block individual IP addresses after repeated access attempts, a rotating IP can offer a fresh one regularly, making it harder for them to keep you out.

Dedicated IP Optional Add-on

For some specific situations, a dedicated IP address can be a must when trying to avoid VPN blocks.

What it is: Unlike shared VPN IPs, where many users share the same address, a dedicated IP is a unique IP address assigned only to you.
Benefits: Because this IP address isn’t shared with hundreds or thousands of other VPN users, it’s far less likely to be blacklisted by websites or services that are trying to block VPN traffic. Many people use dedicated IPs for things like online banking, specific work portals, or online gaming where a consistent IP is beneficial and less likely to trigger security alerts. It does typically come as an additional purchase on top of your standard Surfshark subscription.

Together, these features give you an impressive toolkit to manage your online presence, overcome restrictions, and enjoy a more secure and flexible internet experience with Surfshark.

Understanding How Services Block VPNs and How Surfshark Helps

It’s one thing to know how to bypass a VPN block, but understanding why these blocks happen can make you even better at navigating them. Many online services, streaming platforms, workplaces, and even governments have reasons for trying to detect and stop VPN use. Here’s a quick rundown of their common tactics and how Surfshark’s features can help you get around them:

Level Up Your Gaming: How to Use Surfshark VPN on Your Xbox

IP Address Blacklists: This is the most common method. Services identify IP addresses known to belong to VPN servers and add them to a blacklist. When you try to connect from one of those IPs, you get blocked.
- How Surfshark helps: Surfshark has a massive network of over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. With so many IP addresses, it’s a constant cat-and-mouse game for blocking services. If one IP is blocked, you can often just switch to a different server in the same location to get a fresh IP. Features like Rotating IP also mean your IP constantly changes, making it harder for services to keep up with blacklisting.
Deep Packet Inspection DPI: This is a more advanced technique where networks analyze the actual data packets to look for patterns or signatures that indicate VPN traffic, even if it’s encrypted.
- How Surfshark helps: This is where NoBorders mode obfuscation is incredibly powerful. It specifically works to mask your VPN traffic, making it appear as regular HTTPS traffic, which can often fool DPI systems. Using Dynamic MultiHop also adds another layer of encryption and routing, making DPI much harder.
Port Blocking: VPNs typically use specific network ports like OpenVPN often uses port 1194 or 443, and WireGuard uses 51820. If a network admin wants to block VPNs, they might simply block these ports on their firewall.
- How Surfshark helps: Surfshark’s protocols are flexible. While WireGuard is often the default, switching to OpenVPN TCP on port 443 can sometimes help. Port 443 is typically used for secure web browsing HTTPS, so blocking it would break a lot of legitimate internet traffic, making it a less likely target for blanket blocking.
DNS Blocking: Your DNS requests which translate website names into IP addresses can sometimes reveal your intentions. If a service blocks a website at the DNS level, even your VPN might not help if your DNS requests are leaking.
- How Surfshark helps: Surfshark uses private DNS servers on all its VPN servers and offers IPv6 leak protection, ensuring your DNS requests are handled securely within the VPN tunnel and don’t leak your real location.

By combining its vast server network, advanced obfuscation NoBorders, multi-layered encryption Dynamic MultiHop, flexible protocols, and DNS leak protection, Surfshark gives you a robust set of tools to stay connected and private, even when faced with determined VPN blockers. It’s about having the right strategy for the right kind of block.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VPN Surfshark used for?

Surfshark VPN is primarily used for enhancing online privacy and security. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location of your choice, hiding your real IP address. This allows you to browse the internet anonymously, protect your data from snoopers like your ISP or public Wi-Fi operators, and access geo-restricted content from around the world. It’s also great for secure torrenting, avoiding online censorship, and getting better deals by appearing to shop from different regions.

Surfshark VPN on Arch Linux: Your Complete Guide

Can Surfshark bypass Netflix?

Yes, Surfshark is generally quite effective at bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming services like Netflix. By connecting to a Surfshark server in a different country, you can access the Netflix library available in that region. While streaming services constantly update their blocking methods, Surfshark works hard to keep its servers optimized for reliable access. If you ever have trouble, switching to a different server or using features like NoBorders mode can often help.

Does Surfshark VPN work?

Absolutely, Surfshark VPN works very well! It’s a highly-rated VPN service known for its strong security features, fast speeds, and extensive server network, boasting over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. It offers unlimited device connections, which is a big plus for families or people with many gadgets. Surfshark uses robust encryption, maintains a strict no-logs policy, and has undergone independent audits to verify its security claims.

What does VPN bypass mean?

VPN bypass means allowing specific internet traffic from certain apps or websites to completely skip the VPN’s encrypted tunnel and connect directly to the internet using your regular, unencrypted connection. This is also known as split tunneling. It’s useful for things like accessing local network devices, using banking apps that block VPNs, or getting faster speeds for non-sensitive data.

Can VPN be bypassed?

Yes, a VPN can be bypassed in several ways, both intentionally and unintentionally. Intentionally, you can use features like Surfshark’s Bypasser split tunneling to choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which bypasses it. Unintentionally, VPNs can be “bypassed” if there are DNS leaks, or if the VPN server’s IP address is blacklisted by a service, making the VPN ineffective for that specific destination. Services also use advanced techniques like Deep Packet Inspection DPI to detect and block VPN traffic.

Why won’t my Surfshark VPN connect?

If your Surfshark VPN won’t connect, try these common troubleshooting steps: first, check your internet connection to ensure it’s working independently of the VPN. Next, try switching to a different Surfshark server location, as the one you’re trying to connect to might be temporarily overloaded or blocked. Experiment with different VPN protocols within the Surfshark app’s settings WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2. Make sure your Surfshark app is up to date and restart the app or your device. If the problem persists, contact Surfshark’s 24/7 customer support for assistance. Is Surfshark VPN Safe? Your Guide to Online Security and Privacy

Can Surfshark bypass firewall?

Yes, Surfshark is designed to bypass various types of firewalls, particularly with its NoBorders mode. If the Surfshark app detects network restrictions, like those imposed by a school, workplace, or government firewall, it automatically activates NoBorders mode. This feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it much harder for firewalls to detect and block your VPN connection, allowing you to access content that would otherwise be restricted.

Partners

How to Bypass VPN Blocks with Surfshark (and Why You’d Want To!)