VPN split tunneling – called Bypasser on the Surfshark VPN app – is the software capability to have only some of your internet traffic go through the VPN while the rest uses the internet as usual. And you’re the one to decide when it happens.
Let’s say you’re using your Windows 10 computer and notice that Youtube is running slow with the VPN. Simply add it to split tunneling and it’ll use the internet as if you didn’t have a VPN at all.
Although sometimes you may want to turn the VPN off for certain things, there is information you always want to secure. That’s where split tunneling comes in. You can encrypt some data and leave other data unencrypted.
A VPN changes your IP address to the VPN server’s IP. When you choose to bypass some apps from VPN use, those will use your own IP. This way you can use two IPs at once and access local content on specific apps while staying hidden on the others.
Your wireless home devices (e.g., printers) use your real IP to connect to your other devices (e.g., phone). If a VPN changes your phone's IP, things could get tricky. Simply add the app connecting your phone and printer to Bypasser, and they will always be connected!
Using a VPN may slow your speed down. Usually, this drop won’t impact you much, yet there may be times when this interferes with what you want to do. Simply use Bypasser to choose which apps do not require encryption and they will run at your normal speed.
Yes, split tunneling is completely secure. However, since it’s used to remove the VPN connection from certain apps or websites, those apps or websites are subject to the same risks as if you were not using a VPN.
The apps or websites you use with split tunneling:
Surfshark is not your average VPN. Some other VPNs offer split tunneling, but they provide no solution when you’d rather run the VPN on only a few apps or websites. Surfshark’s Bypasser gives you full control:
Exclude traffic you do not want to be encrypted.
Best when: you have just a few apps or websites you want to work outside of our connection.
Include traffic you want to be encrypted.
Best when: you have just a few apps or websites you want to work under our connection.
Go to your Surfshark app and click Bypasser.
Add apps or websites you want to be excluded from our encryption.
