Apple iCloud Private Relay disconnects when VPN is launched

When I use my iPhone Hotspot to connect my MBA M2 to the internet, I have private relay turned on on both devices. Once I turn on a VPN (E.g., ExpressVPN or Norton 360 VPN) on my MBA, I receive a message that private relay has been turned off because it is incompatible with the [installed software].


I am running the latest MacOS 13.5 Ventura on my MBA M2 and the latest iOS 16.6 on my iPhone 14 Pro. Private relay is turned on on my iPhone and MBA.


Any insights or recommendations would be most appreciated.

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Posted on Jul 27, 2023 02:28 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 28, 2023 12:18 PM

Hi Gdrenick,


Here's some information from the Manage iCloud Private Relay for specific websites, networks, or system settings resource you might find helpful as it explains how third party apps might affect Private Relay:


"If your Mac system settings prevent Private Relay from working

In System Settings on your Mac, you might see an alert that says, "Some of your system settings prevent Private Relay from working."

If you do, a third-party app — such as a VPN or internet filtering software — might have installed settings or extensions that are incompatible with Private Relay. For example, the third-party app might have installed a kernel extension or applied custom packet filter rules.

If you want to use Private Relay on your Mac, turn off or uninstall the third-party app. If you can't turn off or uninstall the app, you might not be able to use Private Relay on your Mac."


We hope this helps.


Take care.

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 28, 2023 12:18 PM in response to Gdrenick

Hi Gdrenick,


Here's some information from the Manage iCloud Private Relay for specific websites, networks, or system settings resource you might find helpful as it explains how third party apps might affect Private Relay:


"If your Mac system settings prevent Private Relay from working

In System Settings on your Mac, you might see an alert that says, "Some of your system settings prevent Private Relay from working."

If you do, a third-party app — such as a VPN or internet filtering software — might have installed settings or extensions that are incompatible with Private Relay. For example, the third-party app might have installed a kernel extension or applied custom packet filter rules.

If you want to use Private Relay on your Mac, turn off or uninstall the third-party app. If you can't turn off or uninstall the app, you might not be able to use Private Relay on your Mac."


We hope this helps.


Take care.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Apple iCloud Private Relay disconnects when VPN is launched

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.