Install and setup
4 answersHelp for installing PandaVPN on macOS, choosing the right version, and starting the app.
Q How do I install PandaVPN on macOS?
Please go to the PandaVPN official website pandavpnpro.com/download and download the macOS installer. Once the download is complete, open the installer file and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
After installation is complete, open PandaVPN, log in to your account, choose a server, and connect to start using it.
Q What should I do if PandaVPN cannot be used properly after installation on Mac?
If PandaVPN cannot be used properly after installation on Mac, please troubleshoot as follows:
- Make sure you downloaded the latest macOS client from the official website and completed the installation using the pkg installer.
- After installation, open PandaVPN from “Applications.” Do not run it directly from the Downloads folder or a temporary location.
- If the browser cannot access websites after connecting, test with Safari first.
- If Safari works normally, other browsers may be affected by proxy extensions, VPN extensions, or ad blocker extensions. Please disable those extensions and try again.
If it still does not work, restart your Mac, then try changing the server or switching the protocol and reconnect.
Q How do I choose a protocol on macOS?
Open the PandaVPN macOS client, go to Settings or the protocol-related page, select an available protocol, and reconnect.
If you’re not sure which protocol to choose, we recommend using Smart Mode（智能模式）. If the connection is unstable or slow, you can switch to another protocol and try again.
Q How do I collect logs on macOS?
Open the PandaVPN macOS client and click Online Feedback in the left menu.
In the feedback window, enter the issue you are experiencing, then click or check Send Log at the bottom. If needed, you can also add a screenshot of the issue, then click Send.
When contacting the support team, please also provide your macOS version, PandaVPN version, the time the issue occurred, and an error screenshot. Please do not send sensitive information such as passwords, verification codes, or bank cards.
Network and system behavior
1 answerTroubleshoot protocol choice, Terminal proxy, AirDrop / Continuity, and macOS network behavior.
Q How do I make Mac Terminal use a proxy?
Command-line tools in Mac Terminal may not automatically follow the PandaVPN client proxy. If you need Terminal to use a proxy, you can use the following methods:
- Recommended: Use PandaVPN CLI
If you mainly use PandaVPN in Terminal or command-line environments, we recommend using the PandaVPN CLI version, which is better suited for command-line scenarios. - Use HTTP/HTTPS proxy
Run the following commands in Terminal:
export http_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:41091
export https_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:41091
41091 is the common local HTTP/HTTPS proxy port. Please refer to the port shown in the PandaVPN client settings. - Use SOCKS5 proxy
If the tool supports SOCKS5, enter:
Proxy address: 127.0.0.1
Port: 1090
1090 is the common local SOCKS5 proxy port. Please refer to the port shown in the client. - Use proxychains
If some commands do not support proxy settings directly, you can install proxychains-ng:
brew install proxychains-ng
Then set the proxy in the proxychains configuration to:
socks5 127.0.0.1 1090
Note:
If the Mac client is using Secure VPN, OpenVPN, or WireGuard mode, additional settings are usually not required. If it is using Smart Mode or Encrypted Proxy mode, some Terminal commands may need separate local proxy configuration.