How to export VPN configuration on MacOS Ventura?

I have the same question/problem.

I want to Export/Backup my VPN settings so I have them to put on another machine. Previous versions of Mac OS had an option to export the VPN settings and Keychain related content. Don't see anything similar in Ventura as they have completely changed the interface. Perhaps there is a Terminal command that would do this?

Hey Luis :) nobody was asking U about the morality or whatsoever. We want to know why the option the existed in previous MacOs dose not exist in the present. keep your moral debate to yourself, I want to know how to export VPN settings on Ventura, ill be happy to hear it. if You don't know Restrain yourself from giving useless comments, that no-one who is asking for the sake of wrong doing will mind. And people that are not up to wrong doing only get mad by answers like this. I for example am a night time worker, I like working at night rather than day, sometimes things go wrong while I ma on something, our IT department dose not work night, and I used to do a fresh system install, and exported the vpn beetween systems... now I am unable to do that.

Its not about changing, the question is how to export the settings. This helps streamline setup process when moving or copying your VPN setup to a different machine.

Ok, so ignoring those who think they know our goal and desires better than us, how do we export existing VPN configurations from Ventura? I have to remote into various clients networks through VPN so being able to transfer the config from machine to machine would (and always has been) very useful.

Thank you for your kind remarks... now how are you helping?

When you configure a VPN connection on macOS, the information is typically stored in the Network Preferences plist (property list) files, which are located in the following directories:

1. `/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist`

2. `/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist`

The `preferences.plist` file stores most of your Mac's network configuration settings, including VPN configurations.

However, it's crucial to mention that manually editing these files can lead to unexpected results and can potentially break your network settings. The VPN settings in these files are encrypted and hashed for security reasons, so they're not directly readable or editable. Also, editing system files requires root permissions, which poses additional risks if not handled correctly.

If you want to set up a VPN on another Mac, it's recommended to manually configure the VPN settings via System Preferences -> Network, or to use a VPN client provided by your VPN service. It's safer, easier, and less prone to causing issues with your system.

Keep in mind that you should never attempt to modify system files unless you're completely sure of what you're doing and understand the risks involved. Always back up important data before making changes.

All that said, it is possible to copy these setting files to your new machine, then delete all you r Ethernet and WiFi adapters and add them back, however this takes advanced knowledge and careful actions.

Matt Locke

Tech Strategies

Nashville TN

Here's some food for thought:

Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint.  Read these two articles: Public VPN's are anything but private and Former Malware Distributor Kape Technologies Now Owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Zenmate, and a Collection of VPN “Review” Websites. 

Can you elaborate on what you are trying to achieve? Are you using the built-in vpn in your system to connect to a work or school network, or something else? That’s the situation in which you should use it, and the proper settings need to be given by the entity providing the vpn access to their network.

Since I don't use VPN I have no idea. What I've done in doing some changes is to go into the apps settings and take screenshots of each setting pane to use in setting up a similar app elsewhere. Not elegant but better than trying to rely on my memory.

My previous post was just to pass on some information to consider.

Hi maxvtkm,

Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities! We would recommend the guidance in the following resource that may help:

Change VPN settings on Mac

Hope this helps!

Have a great day.