Step 1: Configuration Files
Choose which set of configuration files you would like to use to connect to Private Internet Access. Our available config files, including descriptions, are available here.
Step 2: Download Tunnelblick
Go to https://tunnelblick.net/downloads.html and download the Tunnelblick installer.
Step 3: Open Installer
Open Tunnelblick’s installer from your Downloads folder.
Step 4: Install App
Click the Tunnelblick icon to begin the installation process.
Step 5: Update Notification
You will then be prompted to decide whether to check for Updates to Tunnelblick and whether to check for IP address changes when you connect to the VPN.
If you wish to have these enabled, ensure that the checkboxes are checked and then click Continue.
NOTE: When prompted, enter your Apple Admin password to complete the installation process.
Step 6: Confirm Configuration Files
When Tunnelblick has completed installing, you will then be asked if you have configuration files. If you installed PIA’s Configuration files, select ‘I have Configuration files’ to continue setting up the application.
Step 7: Locate Config files
Locate your OpenVPN configuration files in your Downloads folder.
Step 8: Extract Config Files
Extract the OpenVPN config files by clicking on openvpn-nextgen.zip.
Step 9: Rename Folder
Rename the extracted folder openvpn.tblk
Step 10: Add files
Click-and-drag the new .tblk file you created to the Tunnelblick icon on your taskbar.
Step 11: Install config’s
You will then be asked whether to install these config profiles for All Users or Only Me. Click the option you prefer
Ensure that you check “Apply to all” to apply the same settings to all configurations.
Enter your Apple Admin password when prompted.
Step 12: Update Settings
Click on the Tunnelblick icon in the Taskbar, and open the interface by clicking on 'VPN Details...' In the window that opens, you will need to highlight all the PIA configurations — to do this, click on the top configuration, scroll to the bottom of the list, hold down the Shift key and click on the bottom configuration. Now that all the configurations are selected, you can update all of them at the same time. Assure that all the checkboxes are selected and that 'Set DNS/WINS' is set to 'Set nameserver'.
Step 13: Connect
From here, you can select Tunnelblick's icon within your Taskbar, which will provide you with a list of servers you wish to connect to.
You can also select VPN Details to view the list of servers you can connect to within the configuration page.
Step 14: Login
You will be prompted to enter your PIA “p” username (i.e., p1234567) and password to connect.
You will likely receive a warning about the use of the comp-lzo option in your OpenVPN configuration files. Select OK
Step 15: Verify Connection
To verify that you are connected to the VPN Hover over or click the Tunnelblick icon to view your public IP and the server you are connected to.
Step 16: View Logs
To access your logs, click on the Tunnelblick icon in the Menu bar and select VPN Details.
Congratulations! You are now ready to begin utilizing your safe and anonymous VPN connection with Tunnelblick.
If you experience any issues, please reach out to the PIA Support Team via support ticket here.