Top VPN provider Surfshark has introduced split-tunneling support for macOS — something few VPN providers currently offer on Apple’s platform.

The feature allows users to selectively route internet traffic either through the VPN or their regular connection. This gives users more control over how their data moves online, particularly when certain apps or websites don’t function well with a VPN.

Surfshark calls this tool Bypasser in its apps, and it’s available as part of all Surfshark subscriptions at no additional charge.

On macOS, Bypasser operates by creating rules that control how traffic is routed at the system level. Users can specify domains (like example.com) or entire apps (like Safari or Mail) to bypass the VPN. Once configured, the macOS network stack sends the selected traffic through the standard, unencrypted internet connection, while all other traffic continues through the VPN tunnel.

This approach is particularly useful because macOS has historically limited low-level networking features for third-party apps, making split-tunneling difficult to implement. Surfshark’s version manages to do so without requiring root access or complex manual setup.

If you’re wondering why you would need this feature, it solves plenty of inconveniences for VPN users.

Many websites and services, especially banks, government portals, or local streaming platforms, block or limit access when they detect VPN traffic. With split-tunneling, you can make exceptions for these sites, ensuring they work normally without needing to turn off the VPN entirely.

It’s also helpful for tasks that rely on accurate location data. For instance, you might want your VPN on for general browsing, streaming, and downloads, but let Google Maps or food delivery apps access your real IP address (which reveals your general location) to show local results. With split-tunneling, you can easily do that.

Finally, if you need a speed boost, bypassing the VPN for non-sensitive activities, like accessing local news sites or watching YouTube, can reduce the amount of bandwidth used and improve performance, while still keeping sensitive tasks like online banking or file sharing secure over the VPN connection.