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MacOS Sequoia blocking VPN, won't allow use of Messages and iCloud

On a MacMini M1, MacOS 15.

I've been using ExpressVPN for years for my work, recently I discovered I can't use iCloud while using VPN. I could work around it by simply using it on my phone, but it wasn't optimal. I also can't airdrop while using VPN.

Now in this latest update, the MacOS is actively blocking my messages while using VPN which is a big problem now as my clients communicate through that.

I can't whitelist anything through ExpressVPN and I don't see what I can do in MacOS since I can't do anything to adjust this. It went from working to not working after the update.

Anyone else having this issue? I'd love a work around as right now, it's not at all ideal with the new OS. Most of the features that I looked forward to aren't even available in Europe which makes no sense. I somewhat understand the AI issue, but the screen sharing with your iPhone isn't available? Why? If I can screen share with my local machines why not the iphone? Something doesn't sit right with me in these latest updates.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance

PS. How can I downgrade if I have to?

Mac mini, macOS 15.0

Posted on Sep 17, 2024 8:31 AM

Top-ranking reply

Cthulhu

Level 2

294 points

Posted on Sep 20, 2024 2:20 PM

As an information security professional, your advice is irresponsible, and some items in the link are uninformed or out of date. Many of us require a VPN for work, many of us for travel, and others use them to greatly reduce the advertising traffic which, if you've ever used one, you'd know can be a transformative online experience.

Please everyone saying "just stop using the VPN" - stop giving us advice. If you have no helpful advice on the topic, please just stay silent.

So many of us are reeling from the loss of services after this update, and we're trying together to find a solution. The solution is not to stop using a VPN. Just move on, please.

View in context

95 replies

Oct 21, 2024 9:58 AM in response to gordon_lister

Well, of course there is the "Current Location" that you select. The server can be blacklisted by several different services, thus you can be blocked from accessing things. I have found that a handful of the servers/locations are bad and I get blocked from a number of sites and services (including logging into this forum!). For some websites and email, I need to pick specific locations/servers to get it to work. Might be worth a try.

Oct 21, 2024 12:45 PM in response to Oberon-Station

Have you tried include the location Services? My VPN is a Business essential, and just start to require permission after the 15.0.1 update. It doesn't prompt the user, but requires a permission inside System Preferences > LocationServices > Details > Show location icon in Control Center when System Services request your location toggle. I know it's silly but replicate the error as I turned on and off.

I've track the error at the Console, and doesn't even flag as an error:

[corewifil APP NOT AUTHORIZED FOR LOCATION SERVICES, will not continue (status=0 pid=XXXX proc=YOUR_VPN bundleID=XXXXXXXXX codesignID=com.something.your_vpn.client service=com.apple.corewlan-xpc reg=GET SSID)

UR403

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2024 4:53 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thank you for the links. I did learn a few things from them and the related rabbit holes they sent me down. I appreciate you advocating for care and critical thinking related to commercial VPNs. It's a lot of trust to put in a company and trust is a tricky thing. The problem is I also do not trust my ISP or local jurisdiction. Real trustworthy options are limited.

steve626

Level 6

11,507 points

Oct 27, 2024 8:44 PM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E wrote:

If you do anything “enterprise,” you should never update anything until the enterprise IT clears it.

We have to use GlobalProtect VPN to access employer's network externally. It's mandatory. Our IT department is very close to completing its field testing with Sequoia and won't allow us update to Sequoia until any and all issues are identified and removed. They sometimes make changes to the GlobalProtect VPN configuration or get updates from Palo Alto Networks to ensure compatibility, or that is what I have seen in previous MacOS updates. We have been told that the upgrade to Sequoia is coming soon for everyone (thousands of Macs here) so they seem to have worked through those issues. It behooves the vendors to fix their VPN products, otherwise no one will use them with Macs.

My employer utilizes its corporate (enterprise level) VPN along with multi-factor authentication plus multi-factor on its devices, and only registered devices are allowed on the network. There are multiple layers of security. I don't trust any of the VPN products that are pitched to individual users, there have been too many scandals in the past.

Oct 29, 2024 11:33 AM in response to Oberon-Station

It's not just Sequoia... I have an older Mac laptop, currently holding at Big Sir, v 11.7.10, and it also cannot connect to my SurfShark VPN... I've tried everything to get either my Sequoia iMac or this laptop to connect with VPN. Works fine on a Windows PC and Android phone. All of these machines are being tested on the same network.

Since the update in late August just before Sequoia was released, is when my problem started/ was realized.

mondoger

Level 1

9 points

Oct 29, 2024 2:09 PM in response to Oberon-Station

As some other actual posts:

As far as I'm concerned, the issue is closed with 15.1. now. All the hints and descriptions didn't work for me on 15.0. and 15.0.1.

Installing 15.1. directly solved the issue. Works as it should and as it did before.

Nov 23, 2024 6:18 AM in response to Cthulhu

I can confirm Proton VPN works but other services like little snitch I had to allow incoming connections in firewall for making it work. normally I always blocked the incoming connection. But the latest 15.1.1 there still not been a fox for this issue.

Nov 23, 2024 9:52 AM in response to Oberon-Station

I managed to make the things work, like going into the firewall advanced settings and let the security apps have the permissions. I guess we have too get used to the firewall works for once I guess me and many other are not used to it lol. But that is a good thing.