If you are having trouble installing the Private Internet Access (PIA) app on your Mac, you can try installing it while your Mac is in safe mode. Safe mode starts macOS with only essential software, which can help when other software is interfering with the installation.
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Check Your Mac's Processor
The steps to enter safe mode depend on your Mac's processor. To check which one you have, select the Apple menu > About This Mac.
- If you see Chip followed by an Apple chip name (for example, “Apple M4”), your Mac uses Apple Silicon.
- If you see Processor followed by an Intel processor name (for example, “Intel Core i5”), your Mac uses Intel.
Download the PIA App
- Go to the PIA download page. The download starts automatically. If it does not, select the click here to restart the download link on the page to restart it.
Start Your Mac in Safe Mode
Follow the steps for your processor type:
Apple Silicon
- Select the Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
- Select your startup disk.
- Press and hold the Shift key and select Continue in Safe Mode.
Intel
- Select the Apple menu > Restart.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift key until the login window appears.
Once in safe mode, log in to your Mac. You may be asked to log in a second time. Safe Boot appears in the menu bar to confirm you are in safe mode.
Install the PIA App
- Open your Downloads folder, then double-click the downloaded ZIP file and double-click the Private Internet Access Installer it contains.
- When macOS asks whether you want to open the installer, select Open.
- At the password prompt, enter your Mac username and password, then select Install Helper. Do not enter your PIA username and password here.
- Once the installation finishes, select the Apple menu and select Restart to start your Mac normally.
Log In and Connect
- Open the PIA app. On the welcome screen, select QUICK TOUR to get a brief introduction of what the app offers. You can also skip that and select LOG IN directly.
- Enter the username and password from your PIA account confirmation email, then select LOG IN.
- Select the power button to connect. When the connection is established, the power button turns green.