When Apple discontinued the built-in macOS Server VPN, one of our customers needed a faster, future-proof solution. Apple’s decision to end support for macOS Server VPN left many teams looking for secure alternatives that work reliably on modern macOS versions. We helped them upgrade to a WireGuard-based setup on macOS, then used VPN Tracker Team Cloud to roll it out across their team — delivering better performance, simpler management, and full Mac compatibility.
Why macOS Server VPN Needed a Replacement
For years, the built-in macOS Server VPN allowed Mac admins to easily enable remote access via L2TP over IPSec. It was available through the macOS Server app on systems like macOS 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, and 10.14 Mojave.
But starting with macOS Server 5.7 in 2018, Apple began phasing out essential services — including the VPN functionality. The final blow came in April 2022, when Apple officially discontinued the Server app entirely.
Since then, macOS Server VPN is no longer available or supported on modern versions of macOS such as:
Legacy Mac OS X VPN Server configuration
- macOS 11 Big Sur
- macOS 12 Monterey
- macOS 13 Ventura
- macOS 14 Sonoma
- macOS 15 Sequoia
Teams still relying on macOS Server VPN found themselves increasingly limited:
- Incompatibility with new OS versions
- Unreliable behavior on updated hardware
- Slower speeds and outdated security (L2TP over IPSec)
- Difficulty integrating with newer firewall environments
With no replacement from Apple, IT teams and consultants had to find a modern, Mac-native VPN solution — one that delivers speed, security, and long-term support.
The Challenges of Legacy VPN Setups
Many teams who previously relied on macOS Server VPN also used traditional firewall-based solutions, often relying on SSL VPN protocols for remote access. While these setups provided a basic level of connectivity, they introduced a range of challenges — especially for teams working on Mac:
- Slow Performance: SSL VPN solutions are known for their limited throughput, especially under load or on high-latency networks. Users frequently experienced slow file transfers, laggy remote desktop sessions, and delayed access to internal resources.
- Manual Configuration Overhead: Getting VPNs up and running across multiple devices often required tedious manual setup, including certificate installation, user provisioning, and firewall adjustments — making it difficult to roll out or manage centrally.
- Protocol Compatibility Issues: SSL VPN clients vary widely between vendors. What works on Windows might be unreliable or unsupported on macOS — leading to inconsistent user experiences and added support overhead.
- Outdated Security Standards: Legacy VPN protocols like L2TP over IPSec, still in use in many environments, fall short of modern encryption and authentication expectations — especially for privacy-conscious or regulated businesses.
The result: a fragmented, slow, and increasingly unreliable remote access setup that rarely meets the needs of modern Mac teams.
WireGuard with VPN Tracker delivers up to 5x the performance of other VPN protocols on macOS.
Upgrading to WireGuard on macOS
To move away from the limitations of legacy VPNs and replace the deprecated macOS Server VPN, we helped the customer implement a modern WireGuard-based setup — built directly on macOS.
WireGuard is a lightweight, high-performance VPN protocol designed for speed, security, and simplicity. Unlike older protocols like L2TP or SSL VPNs, it uses state-of-the-art cryptography and a streamlined architecture that performs exceptionally well — especially on Apple Silicon Macs.
Here’s how the upgrade worked:
- WireGuard server deployed on macOS: We set up a WireGuard server directly on a Mac mini running the latest macOS version. With just a few terminal commands, the server was up and running — no bloated legacy tools or external appliances required.
- Modern cryptography for real-world security: WireGuard uses protocols like ChaCha20 and Curve25519 for encryption and key exchange, offering robust security with less overhead.
- Built for speed: With minimal handshake and reduced packet overhead, WireGuard delivers significantly faster throughput — ideal for teams working with large files or cloud-hosted infrastructure.
- Fast, secure rollout via VPN Tracker Team Management: Once the WireGuard configuration was complete, we imported the connection into VPN Tracker and deployed it securely to all team members using Team Cloud — no manual setup required per user.
With WireGuard in place, the team had a fast, secure, and modern VPN foundation — a complete macOS Server VPN replacement that fits seamlessly into their Mac workflows.
Managing Connections with VPN Tracker
Once the WireGuard server was up and running, the next step was integrating it into the team’s daily workflows. That’s where VPN Tracker came in — providing a professional, Mac-native solution to manage and use the new WireGuard VPN.
Instead of relying on command-line tools or third-party scripts, we imported the WireGuard .conf file directly into VPN Tracker. Within seconds, the VPN connection was available with a full graphical interface — ready to connect, monitor, and manage.
Key advantages of managing WireGuard with VPN Tracker:
- Mac-native experience: No terminal or technical know-how required — just click to connect. Ideal for non-technical users who still need secure access.
- Connection health monitoring: VPN Tracker provides real-time status, logs, and automatic reconnection options — perfect for supporting remote teams.
- Secure storage for keys and settings: All VPN credentials are encrypted and securely stored within the app, with no need to expose or manually distribute config files.
- Full compatibility with Apple Silicon Macs: VPN Tracker is optimized for both Intel and Apple Silicon, ensuring smooth performance across all company devices.
With VPN Tracker, the new WireGuard setup became more than just fast and secure — it became easy to use and support across the entire organization.
Importing multiple WireGuard VPN connections into VPN Tracker — easy & secure deployment for all team members.
Fast Deployment via Team Management
Once the WireGuard connection was successfully set up and tested in VPN Tracker, the next step was to roll it out to the rest of the team — without requiring every user to manually configure their VPN.
That’s where VPN Tracker’s built-in team management made all the difference.
Using the secure team features in VPN Tracker, we shared the WireGuard VPN connection with all 30 users in just a few clicks. There was no need to send configuration files, deal with onboarding emails, or walk users through setup steps.
Here’s how VPN Tracker team management streamlined the deployment:
- Instant access for all users: As soon as a team member logged into VPN Tracker, the pre-configured WireGuard connection was available — ready to use.
- Granular permissions: Admins could assign access levels, restrict connection editing, and ensure security policies were enforced consistently across the team.
- No manual configuration required: End users didn’t need to deal with config files, keys, or technical instructions — everything was handled centrally.
- Easier updates and scaling: Need to change a setting or add a new user? It only takes a few seconds in the team management dashboard, making the setup highly scalable. You can learn more about how to share WireGuard connections with your team in VPN Tracker in our step-by-step guide.
For the team, it meant less downtime and zero friction. For the consultant, it meant one centralized place to manage VPN access — now and in the future. And most importantly, it turned the outdated macOS Server VPN setup into a modern, secure, and easily managed solution.
However, protecting access to these VPN connections is just as critical as setting them up. Without two-factor authentication (2FA), a compromised password could give attackers immediate access to sensitive company resources. By securing every equinux ID in the team with 2FA, even if a password is stolen or leaked, the account remains protected.
This extra layer of security significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and strengthens overall team security.
Team members are securely granted access to WireGuard VPN connections using VPN Tracker’s built-in management tools.
Results: Faster Speeds, Simpler Management, Happy Users
The impact of replacing the old macOS Server VPN with a WireGuard setup and managing it through VPN Tracker was immediate and measurable.
The team experienced:
- Significantly faster VPN speeds: Compared to other SSL-based VPN solutions, WireGuard delivered a noticeable performance boost — especially when accessing large files or using remote desktop tools.
- Fewer support requests: With no manual setup required and a reliable connection experience on every Mac, day-to-day VPN support issues dropped to near zero.
- Consistent, secure access: Whether in the office or working remotely, users could connect securely with a single click — without worrying about configuration or compatibility.
- Simplified administration: The consultant now manages everything from a single dashboard in VPN Tracker, with the ability to deploy changes instantly and onboard new users in minutes.
- A reusable blueprint for other clients: The success of this setup has already paved the way for similar deployments across the consultant’s other Mac-based customers.
For the customer, the upgrade meant peace of mind and performance. For the consultant, it created a scalable, future-proof VPN strategy — and a go-to template for future macOS Server VPN migrations.
Why Consultants Choose VPN Tracker for Mac VPN Projects
For IT consultants supporting Mac-based environments, VPN Tracker offers a powerful combination of flexibility, security, and ease of deployment — making it the go-to solution for modern VPN projects.
In this case, replacing the deprecated macOS Server VPN with WireGuard and managing it through VPN Tracker not only solved a technical problem — it delivered a repeatable, scalable solution that can be adapted for other clients.
Here’s why consultants trust VPN Tracker:
- Works with any VPN protocol: Whether you’re setting up WireGuard, IPsec, IKEv2, or OpenVPN, VPN Tracker gives you one interface to manage them all.
- Designed for macOS and iOS: Built specifically for Apple platforms, VPN Tracker feels native and performs reliably on all modern Macs, including Apple Silicon devices.
- Professional team management tools: Deploy and manage VPN connections at scale with full control over access, permissions, and configuration updates.
- White-label ready for client projects: Consultants can prepare fully configured VPN environments for clients and hand them off with minimal ongoing support needs.
- German-engineered security and support: Developed in Germany with a focus on privacy and data protection, VPN Tracker offers real support from a real team — no outsourcing.
Whether you’re migrating from macOS Server VPN or building out a brand-new remote access strategy, VPN Tracker helps consultants deliver secure, high-performance results — every time.
Ready to Upgrade Your VPN Setup?
Interested in deploying your own WireGuard server on macOS — or replacing an outdated macOS Server VPN?
We’re happy to help you plan and roll out a secure, high-performance solution tailored to your needs.
Our team will guide you through the setup, provide best practices, and support you every step of the way.
