# Authorizing the HakoVPN system extension on macOS

* The warning for 'System Extension Blocked' in macOS. There are two prompts for 'OK' and 'Open System Settings'.
* The warning for 'System Extension Approval Required' in the HakoVPN app. There are two prompts of 'Ignore' and 'Open Settings'.
* The warning for 'System Extension Approval Required...' in the HakoVPN menu. This warning has an icon in the shape of an exclamation point in a triangle.

The above messages indicate that HakoVPN launched successfully. However, granting permission to install the HakoVPN system extension is necessary before HakoVPN can connect your Mac to the network.

System extensions are a macOS technology used by HakoVPN to extend the networking features of your Mac. For further information on system extensions, refer to below.

### Configuration steps

The steps for granting permission to install the HakoVPN extension will vary depending on the version of macOS you are using.

#### macOS 15 Sequoia and later

1. Go to **System Settings** and open the **General** tab.
2. In the **Login Items & Extensions** section, scroll down to **Network Extensions**, and select the information ⓘ icon.
3. Toggle **HakoVPN Network Extension** to on, then authorize the operation using Touch ID, or by providing an administrator password.
4. Select **Done**. If a window appears asking to install a VPN configuration, choose **Allow**.

HakoVPN will begin connecting. If you have never logged into HakoVPN before, you'll have to log in by using the HakoVPN menu bar item at the top right of your screen.

#### macOS 14 Sonoma and earlier

1. Go to **System Settings** and open the **Privacy & Security** tab.
2. Scroll down the list of options until you reveal the message **System software from application "HakoVPN.app" was blocked from loading.**, and select **Allow**.
3. Authorize the operation using Touch ID, or by providing an administrator password. If a window appears asking to install a VPN configuration, choose **Allow**.

HakoVPN will begin connecting. If you have never logged into HakoVPN before, you'll have to log in by using the HakoVPN menu bar item at the top right of your screen.

#### What is a system extension?

You might wonder why this is necessary. Behind the scenes, the Standalone variant of HakoVPN for macOS uses a technology introduced in macOS 10.15 called [System Extensions](https://support.apple.com/120363).

System extensions represent a safer replacement for the legacy Kernel Extensions technology used by many security and networking tools in previous versions of macOS. They run within a sandbox, meaning that HakoVPN runs isolated from the operating system kernel in your Mac. This can provide additional security guarantees. Additionally, system extensions can be distributed outside the Mac App Store. This lets us provide a variant of HakoVPN which doesn't depend on Apple for distribution.

Because system extensions are shared with other users of your Mac, explicit consent is required before they can be installed.