How to use Avast VPN on PC and Mac | Avast
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Avast VPN for Windows and Mac - Getting Started

 

Avast VPN allows you to connect to the internet via secure Avast VPN servers, protecting your connection and ensuring your privacy.

This article assumes that the latest version of Avast VPN is installed and activated on your device. For detailed instructions, refer to the following articles: Installing Avast VPN & Activating an Avast VPN subscription.
We understand that you may see a “You are offline” message in the Trusted Network section under VPN Settings on macOS 27.0 (Golden Gate), even when your internet connection is working normally. This issue is currently under investigation, and no workaround or fix is available at this time. As long as your VPN remains active, this message does not affect the functionality and connectivity of your VPN. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience while this issue is being investigated. For more information refer to the following article: Wi‑Fi network names are not displayed in Avast on macOS 27 (Golden Gate).

Choose a VPN mode

Avast VPN offers two VPN modes. You can freely switch between the following modes according to your current needs:

  • Smart VPN mode: Automatically connects or disconnects the VPN based on your current activity. By default, Smart VPN always connects you to the fastest server location available. You can customize how the application behaves while Smart VPN is enabled via your Smart VPN settings.
  • Always on: Automatically turn on VPN whenever you connect to the Internet.

To switch between VPN modes:

  1. Open Avast VPN and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Ensure VPN mode is selected in the left panel.
  3. Select Smart VPN mode or Always on according to your preferences.

Connect to the VPN

Avast VPN can be used any time you want to connect to the internet with extra security and privacy, and is especially recommended when you are connected to a public or unsecured Wi-Fi network.

To connect to Avast VPN, click Connect on the main screen.

You are now connected to the Avast VPN default server. You can connect to a different location if needed.

If Avast VPN is unable to establish a connection, refer to the following article: What should I do if Avast VPN is unable to establish a connection?.

Connect to a different location

Avast VPN has servers in several locations, meaning you can bypass geolocation restrictions and access your favorite content while traveling.

To connect to a different location:

  1. Click the drop-down next to Fastest Location on the main application screen.
  2. Select a country. For countries that offer multiple cities, click the down arrow and select your preferred city.
  3. Click Change location to confirm the change.

Your location now shows as the country and city that you selected.

If certain websites claim that you are connected to a different city than the city you selected as your VPN location, refer to the article: Checking your real location is hidden.

Manage Smart VPN settings

To manage settings that apply when Smart VPN is enabled:

The Smart VPN feature is only available in Avast VPN running on Windows 10 or later.
  1. Open Avast VPN and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Settings.
  2. Ensure VPN mode and Smart mode are selected.
  3. Use the following settings to customize Smart VPN behavior:
    1. Connecting to Public networks
    2. Banking
    3. Shopping
    4. Accessing sensitive content
    5. Torrenting

Browser integration

The Avast VPN browser extension is an extra, installable component that allows you to conveniently control Avast VPN behavior directly from your Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browser.

You can install the browser extension via ☰ Menu ▸ Browser extensions.

To learn more about the Avast VPN browser extension, refer to the following article:

Further recommendations

For more information about Avast VPN, refer to the following article:

VPN Mode

The VPN mode in Avast VPN allows you to choose when to automatically connect your VPN for certain activities. You can always turn on your VPN when:

  1. Connecting to untrusted networks
  2. Banking
  3. Shopping
  4. Accessing sensitive content
  5. Streaming
  6. Torrenting

To enable the VPN mode in Avast VPN:

  1. Open Avast VPN and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
  2. Ensure VPN is selected in the left panel.

Connect to the VPN

Avast VPN can be used any time you want to connect to the internet with extra security and privacy, and is especially recommended when you are connected to a public or unsecured Wi-Fi network.

To connect to Avast VPN, click the red (OFF) slider so that it changes to green (ON).

You are now connected to the Avast VPN default server. You can connect to a different location if needed.

If Avast VPN is unable to establish a connection, refer to the article: What should I do if Avast VPN is unable to establish a connection?.

Connect to a different location

Avast VPN has servers in several locations, meaning you can bypass geolocation restrictions and access your favorite content while traveling.

To connect to a different location:

  1. Click the drop-down list of the country in which you have connected your VPN.
  2. Select a country. For countries that offer multiple cities, click the down arrow and select your preferred city.

Your location now shows as the country and city that you selected.

If certain websites claim that you are connected to a different city than the city you selected as your VPN location, refer to the article: Checking your real location is hidden.

Manage Advanced Settings

  1. Open Avast VPN and go to ☰ Menu ▸ Preferences.
  2. Select VPN on the left-side of the screen and click Advanced Settings.
  3. You can configure the following options in Advanced Settings:
    1. Kill Switch: Blocks all Internet access until your VPN is reconnected to safeguard your privacy.
    2. Access Local Devices with Kill Switch: Allows access to local devices like printers and shared devices on private networks.
    3. VPN Protocols: Allows you to choose between Automatic, IPSec, and Mimic protocols.

Browser integration

The Avast VPN browser extension is currently not available on MacOS. The extension will be available on MacOS very soon.

  • Avast VPN
  • Windows and Mac


Updated on: 09/10/2026

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