iMessage stops working when on VPN

Since upgrade to Sequoia, IMessage is blocked when Express VPN is on. Missed IMessages are also not shown after deactivating the VPN

Mac mini, macOS 15.0

Posted on Sep 25, 2024 11:46 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 27, 2024 1:16 PM

For ExpressVPN, until an update comes out that allows Advanced Protection features, this is the workaround:


  1. Go into Preferences
  2. Turn off all features in Advanced Protection
  3. Select IKEv2 under Protocol




18 replies

Oct 16, 2024 1:31 PM in response to Feejus303

Just a quick update on my side as to share what has worked and what has not.


  • Checked config and i had a Profile for DNS SEC which def seems to break the imessage function
  • I also noticed the MullvadVPN when running somehow it stops the imessage to get throguh.
  • Adding Message and Mullvad to the FW did not resolve the issue i still have the same issue.
  • However, it seems that incoming message does work which is a bit odd.



If apple can get on to this and fix this i would very much appreciate it.

Oct 27, 2024 11:45 AM in response to Akal1967

I have the same issue with ExpressVPN ever since upgrading macOS.


I've tried opening the FW to allow incoming connections to the vpn, have restarted the machine, and disabled/re-enabled Messages through iCloud. Nothing has worked. I still can't send Messages. My iPhone is the only device I have that will reliably send/receive messages now. It's very frustrating.

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iMessage stops working when on VPN

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