L2TP VPN - MacOS Native Client

  • Updated on May 20, 2026
  • Published on May 20, 2026
  • 1 minute(s) read
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Requirement

L2TP VPN is configured on your firewall by either SAU or yourself. As well as the following details, so you can connect:

  • VPN user details

  • IP of the FortiGate

  • Pre-shared key

If you need help with any of these, reach out to our support team.

  1. Click on the Apple symbol at the top left of your screen and select “System Settings".

    System settings menu showing two available updates in a macOS interface.

  2. Under the network section, select the small downward arrow and three dots at the bottom right, then “Add VPN Configuration“ > “L2TP over IPSec“.

    Network settings showing Wi-Fi connection and options to add VPN configuration.

  1. Fill in the following VPN details and click Create.

    1. Display name: a descriptive name for your VPN; this is only a description and can be whatever you’d like

    2. Configuration: Default

    3. Server name or address: The IP of the FortiGate VPN endpoint

    4. Account name: The account name set during setup

    5. User Authentication: Set to password

    6. Password: The password for the associated user.

    7. Machine Authentication: Shared secret

    8. Shared Secret: Enter the PSK set during setup

    VPN settings window showing configuration options and a create button highlighted.

  2. Once the VPN menu closes, you will be back in system settings; a new section called “VPN“ will have appeared. Navigate to this section, and you can activate your VPN connection.

    VPN settings showing connection status and configuration options on a Mac system.