- NordVPN has just released an update for its macOS app
- All standard servers now automatically support P2P activities
- Streamlined P2P servers are also live on iOS, Android, and Windows
Mac users looking to secure their peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing just received a major quality-of-life upgrade. NordVPN has officially rolled out P2P support across all of its standard servers on macOS.
Previously, anyone using TechRadar’s best VPN recommendation on a Mac had to manually seek out and connect to specialized servers to safely engage in P2P activities. This dual-server display caused confusion, as many customers were unsure if they needed to take extra steps to enable torrenting securely.
With the release of NordVPN app version 10.0.0 for macOS, that extra step is gone. The dedicated P2P server category has been completely removed from the server list, streamlining the application and removing visual clutter.
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According to the provider’s official support updates, the change comes as a direct response to user feedback. “This eliminated the confusing dual-server display and gave users a simpler, more intuitive app experience,” the company stated.
The change isn’t entirely exclusive to Mac. The streamlined 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 “across the vast majority of our standard servers, meaning users can establish P2P connections when connected to virtually any server in our network”.
How to get the upgrade and what it means
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To take advantage of this new streamlined experience, Mac users simply need to update their NordVPN application to version 10.0.0. You can download the update directly from the NordVPN website or via the Apple App Store.
Once updated, you won’t have to toggle between server categories. Because the restriction is lifted, you can securely connect to any standard server location and instantly begin file sharing or gaming.
“All standard NordVPN servers now support P2P activities, including gaming and other peer-to-peer applications,” the company confirmed. NordVPN notes that integrating this capability into its main network “simplifies the user experience while maintaining full P2P capability.”
Briedis told TechRadar that the underlying infrastructure remains unchanged.
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“Maintaining a separate P2P category became irrelevant, and this update simply removes it to streamline the user interface,” he said, ensuring that “users on any 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 exactly what specialist VPN servers are and why P2P servers matter.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) is a decentralized networking model where users share files directly with one another, rather than downloading them from a central server. This is the core technology that powers torrenting. Because P2P file sharing can consume massive 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 cannot see what you are downloading.
By integrating this capability into every standard server, NordVPN ensures that its users enjoy premium speeds and high-end security without any extra configuration.
