How to Share a VPN Connection with Another Device

Sharing a VPN connection lets one computer handle the VPN while other devices use its internet connection as their way online. Those devices don’t connect to the VPN themselves and send their traffic through the computer that already is. As a result, they get the same encrypted connection and online location without running a VPN app.

When you share a VPN connection, all internet traffic from those connected devices is routed through the same secure tunnel and IP address. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set this up on Windows and macOS so you can extend your VPN protection to other devices without running separate VPN connections on each one.

Why would you want to share a VPN connection?

Here are the main reasons people choose to share a VPN connection:

Protect devices that don’t support VPN apps

Many devices, such as smart TVs, streaming sticks, and gaming consoles, don’t allow VPN apps even though they still connect to the internet. By sharing a VPN, these devices can use the same encrypted connection and IP address without needing their own VPN software.

Use the same VPN location across multiple devices

When you share a VPN connection, every connected device uses the same VPN location and public IP address. All devices appear to be in the same online region, which helps avoid the possibility of mismatched locations when switching between devices or services.

Reduce the number of VPN connections in use

Most VPN plans limit the number of devices that can be connected at once. Sharing a VPN connection lets multiple devices use a single VPN session, so you can stay within that limit without turning protection off on other devices.

Avoid reconfiguring each device individually

Installing a VPN on multiple devices can be slow or complicated, especially on devices with limited settings. Sharing a VPN from one computer keeps everything in one place and makes it easier to manage.

Ways to share a VPN connection with other devices

There are two main ways to share a VPN connection from one computer to another device: using a wired Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi.

• Read: How to Update Your VPN app? | How Do VPNs Encrypt DNS Queries? 

Share a VPN connection via Ethernet 

Sharing a VPN over Ethernet lets another device use the VPN connection from a computer through a wired network cable. The connected device goes online through the same VPN tunnel. Here’s how to do that on Windows and macOS:

Windows

1. Open your VPN app and connect to a server.

2. Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open the Network Connections window.
   
3. Find the network adapter created by your VPN. It may be named after the VPN or labeled something like TAP, Wintun, or WireGuard.
   
4. Right-click the VPN adapter and select Properties, then open the Sharing tab.
   
5. Check Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.
   
6. From the Home networking connection menu, select Ethernet, then click OK.
   
7. Connect the second device to your Windows PC using an Ethernet cable.
   
8. The connected device should now access the internet through the VPN. If Windows prompts you to set the Ethernet network to Private, allow it.

macOS

1. Launch your VPN app and connect to a server.

2. Go to Internet Sharing: 

• Ventura / Sonoma: System Settings > General > Sharing > Internet Sharing

• Monterey / Big Sur: System Preferences > Sharing > Internet Sharing

3. Under Share your connection from, select your VPN or the active interface created by the VPN.

4. Under To computers using, check Ethernet.

5. Turn Internet Sharing on and confirm when prompted.

6. Connect the second device to your Mac using an Ethernet cable.

7. The connected device should now access the internet through the VPN.

Share a VPN connection via Wi-Fi

Sharing a VPN over Wi-Fi creates a wireless access point on the host computer. Devices connect to that network instead of using a physical Ethernet connection. Here’s how to do it:

Windows

1. Launch your VPN app and connect to a server.

2. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot and toggle it ON.

3. Under Share my internet connection from, select Wi-Fi, then click Edit to set a network name and password.

4. Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open Network Connections.

5. Find the network adapter created by your VPN. It may be named after the VPN or labeled something like TAP, Wintun, or WireGuard.

6. Right-click the VPN adapter and select Properties, then open the Sharing tab.

7. Check Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.

8. From the Home networking connection menu, select the Mobile Hotspot adapter (usually called Local Area Connection*), then click OK.

9. On the second device, connect to the Wi-Fi network you created.

10. The connected device should now access the internet through the VPN.

Note: If the Mobile Hotspot adapter does not appear in Network Connections, turn Mobile Hotspot off and back on, then reopen ncpa.cpl.

macOS

1. Connect to the VPN using your VPN app. 

2. Open Internet Sharing:

• Ventura / Sonoma: System Settings > General  > Sharing  > Internet Sharing

• Monterey / Big Sur: System Preferences  > Sharing  > Internet Sharing 

3. Under Share your connection from, select your VPN (or the VPN-created network interface). 

4. Under To computers using, check Wi-Fi. 

5. Click Wi-Fi Options to set a network name and password.

6. Turn Internet Sharing ON and confirm. 

7. Other devices can now connect to your Mac’s Wi-Fi network and will go online through the VPN.

Note: macOS cannot share a VPN over Wi-Fi if the Mac is already using Wi-Fi for its internet connection.

Is it safe to share a VPN connection?

Yes, sharing a VPN connection is generally safe when it’s set up correctly. When other devices connect through a computer that’s running a VPN, their internet traffic is routed through the same encrypted tunnel and protected in the same way as the host device. From the VPN server’s point of view, all traffic still comes from a single secure connection.

The main safety risks don’t come from VPN sharing itself, but from how the network is configured. If the host device is infected with malware, misconfigured, or disconnected from the VPN, all connected devices are affected. As long as the VPN remains active and the host device is secure, sharing a VPN does not weaken the encryption or expose connected devices.

Frequently asked questions