- NordVPN just released an update for its macOS app
- All standard servers now automatically support P2P activities
- Optimized P2P servers are also available on iOS, Android and Windows.
Mac users looking to secure peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing just got a major quality of life improvement. NordVPN has officially rolled out P2P support to all of its standard servers on macOS.
Previously, anyone using TechRadar’s best VPN recommendation on a Mac had to manually find and connect to specialized servers to safely participate in P2P activities. This dual-server display caused confusion, as many customers were unsure if they needed to take additional steps to enable safe torrenting.
With the release of version 10.0.0 of the NordVPN app for macOS, that extra step is gone. The dedicated P2P server category has been completely removed from the server list, simplifying the application and eliminating visual clutter.
According to the vendor’s official support updates, the change comes as a direct response to user feedback. “This eliminated the confusing dual-server screen and provided users with a simpler, more intuitive app experience,” the company said.
The change is not entirely exclusive to Mac. Optimized P2P functionality is also present in version 9.0.0 for iOS and Android, and version 8.0.0 for Windows.
NornVPN CTO Marijus Briedis told TechRadar that P2P support is already active “on the vast majority of our standard servers, meaning users can establish P2P connections when connecting to virtually any server on our network.”
How to get the update and what it means
To take advantage of this new streamlined experience, Mac users simply need to update their NordVPN app to version 10.0.0. You can download the update directly from the NordVPN website or through the Apple App Store.
Once updated, you will not have to switch between server categories. Because the restriction is removed, you can safely connect to any standard server location and start sharing files or playing games instantly.
“All standard NordVPN servers now support P2P activities, including games and other peer-to-peer applications,” the company confirmed. NordVPN notes that integrating this capability into its core network “simplifies the user experience while maintaining full P2P capability.”
Briedis told TechRadar that the underlying infrastructure remains unchanged.
“Maintaining a separate P2P category has become irrelevant, and this update simply removes it to streamline the user interface,” he said, ensuring that “users of either platform will see no impact on speeds or bandwidth capacity.”
What are P2P servers?
If you’re new to the world of file sharing, you might be wondering what exactly specialized VPN servers are and why P2P servers are important.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) is a decentralized networking model in which users share files directly with each other, rather than downloading them from a central server. This is the core technology that powers torrents. Because P2P file sharing can consume enormous amounts of bandwidth, many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) actively throttle or block P2P traffic.
To combat this, users rely on the best VPN for torrenting. P2P-optimized servers are specifically configured to handle large data loads without sacrificing speed, while also encrypting your traffic so your ISP can’t see what you’re downloading.
By building this capability into every standard server, NordVPN ensures its users enjoy superior speeds and high-level security without any additional configuration.
