MacOS Sequoia blocking VPN, won't allow use of Messages and iCloud

On a MacMini M1, MacOS 15.

I've been using ExpressVPN for years for my work, recently I discovered I can't use iCloud while using VPN. I could work around it by simply using it on my phone, but it wasn't optimal. I also can't airdrop while using VPN.

Now in this latest update, the MacOS is actively blocking my messages while using VPN which is a big problem now as my clients communicate through that.

I can't whitelist anything through ExpressVPN and I don't see what I can do in MacOS since I can't do anything to adjust this. It went from working to not working after the update.

Anyone else having this issue? I'd love a work around as right now, it's not at all ideal with the new OS. Most of the features that I looked forward to aren't even available in Europe which makes no sense. I somewhat understand the AI issue, but the screen sharing with your iPhone isn't available? Why? If I can screen share with my local machines why not the iphone? Something doesn't sit right with me in these latest updates.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance

PS. How can I downgrade if I have to?

Mac mini, macOS 15.0

Posted on Sep 17, 2024 8:31 AM

Top-ranking reply

Cthulhu

Level 2

274 points

Posted on Sep 20, 2024 2:20 PM

As an information security professional, your advice is irresponsible, and some items in the link are uninformed or out of date. Many of us require a VPN for work, many of us for travel, and others use them to greatly reduce the advertising traffic which, if you've ever used one, you'd know can be a transformative online experience.

Please everyone saying "just stop using the VPN" - stop giving us advice. If you have no helpful advice on the topic, please just stay silent.

So many of us are reeling from the loss of services after this update, and we're trying together to find a solution. The solution is not to stop using a VPN. Just move on, please.

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79 replies

ssd550

Level 1

33 points

Oct 7, 2024 3:27 PM in response to Barney-15E

I assume you are familiar with the concept of breaking changes. If Apple made breaking changes for Sequoia (who knows if Apple pays any mind to semantic versioning, but their current numbering scheme indicates some level of awareness) that were not communicated to the VPN vendors, then it's on Apple.

[Edited by Moderator]

ssd550

Level 1

33 points

Oct 7, 2024 3:27 PM in response to Barney-15E

Pretty sure the former contradicts the latter. And it's safe to say that based on the speed of replies defending Apple combined with the sheer volume of accumulated points, it matters quite a bit to some.

ssd550

Level 1

33 points

Oct 7, 2024 5:06 PM in response to ssd550

The moderator removed the last statement I made (because it "because it contained information about beta software"). It actually referenced the early release versions of 15.0. My point was that if breaking changes were introduced in Sequoia (already released at this point so this post is also not revealing any pre-release information, and it's common for major releases to change APIs) and VPN vendors did not make updates to handle those changes, then the VPN vendors are to blame for issues. The moderator-edited version makes it look like I'm blaming Apple. I'm not, as I don't have enough information. The same is true for the VPN vendors. I'm just hoping for a quick resolution.

The updated version provided to me by PIA today did not work.

Oct 9, 2024 12:44 PM in response to Cthulhu

When the issues started to crop up with Apple News and Stocks, the VPN vendor informed me that they were aware of the situation and were looking to Apple for a fix as it was out of their hands.

I can’t fully recall if this VPN issue started before macOS 15 moved out of beta, but I want to say it started with macOS 14.x.x.

At the time of this writing, Apple News, Stocks, and iCloud is working, but Messages is fully blocked.

Oct 21, 2024 9:18 AM in response to Neil Whittey

It is possible that there more than one issue. I am using ExpressVPN and Sequoia 15.0.1 and have tried every combination suggested by their helpful support team, to no avail. Restarting the computer made no difference.

I am accessing the internet wirelessly. Turning ExpressVPN on, and I cannot access anything (using Safari, Chrome). Turning ExpressVPN off solves any problem instantly.

Oct 21, 2024 9:58 AM in response to gordon_lister

Well, of course there is the "Current Location" that you select. The server can be blacklisted by several different services, thus you can be blocked from accessing things. I have found that a handful of the servers/locations are bad and I get blocked from a number of sites and services (including logging into this forum!). For some websites and email, I need to pick specific locations/servers to get it to work. Might be worth a try.

Oct 21, 2024 12:45 PM in response to Oberon-Station

Have you tried include the location Services? My VPN is a Business essential, and just start to require permission after the 15.0.1 update. It doesn't prompt the user, but requires a permission inside System Preferences > LocationServices > Details > Show location icon in Control Center when System Services request your location toggle. I know it's silly but replicate the error as I turned on and off.

I've track the error at the Console, and doesn't even flag as an error:

[corewifil APP NOT AUTHORIZED FOR LOCATION SERVICES, will not continue (status=0 pid=XXXX proc=YOUR_VPN bundleID=XXXXXXXXX codesignID=com.something.your_vpn.client service=com.apple.corewlan-xpc reg=GET SSID)