macOS - Installing OpenVPN (Viscosity)

This guide explains how to install Viscosity, a third-party OpenVPN client for macOS, and connect to Private Internet Access (PIA) using PIA's OpenVPN configuration files.

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Download the Configuration Files

Get Pre-Made Configuration Files

Create Your Own Configuration Files

Download and Install Viscosity

Import the PIA Configuration and Connect

How to Connect to a Different Server Location

Other OpenVPN Clients for macOS

Download the Configuration Files

There are two ways to get OpenVPN configuration files from PIA. Choose one of the following options:

Get Pre-Made Configuration Files

PIA provides several ready-to-use OpenVPN configuration file sets. These differ in connection method (TCP or UDP), port usage, and encryption strength. Visit the link and click on the set you’d like to download.

Create Your Own Configuration Files

You can generate a custom configuration file for a specific server location, encryption level, and port with PIA’s OpenVPN Configuration Generator. This is useful if you only need to connect to one location or want more control over your settings. To access the generator:

  1. Go to Downloads in your Client Control Panel.

PIA's client control panel with OpenVPN Configuration Generator highlighted under VPN Settings.

  1. In the OpenVPN Configuration Generator, select an OpenVPN version and macOS as a platform.
PIA's OpenVPN Configuration Generator, showing the available OpenVPN versions and platforms.
  1. Then, select a location.
A portion of the available location for the OpenVPN configuration on PIA's OpenVPN Configuration Generator page.
  1. Select a port and click Generate.

The available ports for the OpenVPN configuration on PIA's OpenVPN Configuration Generator page, with a highlighted "Generate" button at the bottom.
 

Extract the Configuration Files

Once downloaded, extract the .zip file if needed. Keep the .ovpn files somewhere easy to find, such as your Downloads folder.

Download and Install Viscosity

  1. Download Viscosity from the official Viscosity website.
  2. Open the downloaded .dmg file, then drag the Viscosity icon to the Applications folder.

Viscosity installation window prompting you to drag the app into Applications.
 

Import the PIA Configuration and Connect

  1. Open Viscosity, then select the Viscosity icon in the menu bar, then select Settings.
Viscosity menu with Settings option highlighted.
  1. Click the plus (+) button in the bottom-left corner, then select Import Connection > From File.

Viscosity Connections tab with Import Connection > From File selected.

  1. Locate the .ovpn file you want and click Open. 

Viscosity Settings window with the imported us_silicon_valley connection selected.

  1. Click the Viscosity icon in the menu bar and select the connection for the server you want.
Viscosity menu showing the us_silicon_valley connection disconnected.
  1. Enter your PIA username and password. To save them for next time, select Remember details in my Keychain.

Viscosity prompt requesting the OpenVPN username and password.

  1. Viscosity connects to the selected server. The menu bar icon shows the connection status and turns green once connected.
Viscosity connection menu showing an active connection to us_silicon_valley server.

How to Connect to a Different Server Location

To connect through a different server location, repeat steps 1–3 to import the corresponding .ovpn file, then select it from the Viscosity menu bar.

If you run into any issues, contact the PIA Support Team.

Other OpenVPN Clients for macOS

If you prefer a different OpenVPN client, we also have guides for the following:

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