How to Get Your VPN Name on macOS

Navigating macOS can feel a bit like a game of hide and seek, where the settings you need are always just out of sight. It’s particularly true when it comes to finding the name of your connected VPN. Even though macOS has a well-organized Network Preferences panel, it doesn’t make it easy to pinpoint specific VPN information, especially if you’ve connected to more than one service over time. Thankfully, there are ways to reveal your VPN’s name without fumbling through endless menus. Whether you’re a pro user or just dipping your toes into macOS’s command line and scripting tools, there are several effective methods—some are quick and straightforward, others dive into the cool (and somewhat hidden) world of AppleScript.

You might wonder, “Why would I even need to know my VPN’s name on macOS?” Well, there are plenty of good reasons. If you’re someone who uses multiple VPNs for different tasks—perhaps one for work and another for personal use—it’s helpful to know which one is currently active. Additionally, if you’re mindful about privacy, knowing the exact VPN connection in use offers peace of mind, allowing you to confirm it’s securely connected. Checking your VPN can also help verify that specific configuration settings are working correctly, especially after updates or changes to your network. And finally, let’s be real: finding this info on the command line is just plain cool, adding a new skill to your macOS toolkit that’s sure to impress friends or colleagues!

Why Find Your VPN Name?

With so many VPN services and macOS updates, it’s not uncommon to lose track of where each VPN setting resides within the system. Mac’s graphical user interface (GUI) is sleek but often hides more advanced settings under layers, making them harder to find in a pinch. That’s where learning a bit of command-line magic can save the day. We’ll start by using a simple shell command to display your Wi-Fi SSID, showing you how it’s possible to extract specific details about your network connections. Then, we’ll explore a handy AppleScript approach for identifying the connected VPN’s name—something you can do in a few seconds once you have the script in hand. These methods are powerful, and once you get the hang of them, they’ll save you a ton of time and frustration.

Finally, as we dive into AppleScript, you’ll get a taste of how versatile macOS really is, with tools that range from accessible commands to more advanced scripting. For those new to AppleScript, don’t worry—it’s user-friendly once you understand a few basics, and we’ll break down each piece of code so it’s easy to follow. Using AppleScript’s “whose clause” in particular, we’ll unlock the specific VPN connections that are active, offering a customizable solution for VPN users. By the end, you’ll not only be able to find your VPN name in an instant, but you’ll also have a better appreciation for the depths of macOS’s scripting capabilities. Let’s get started!

Simple Wi-Fi SSID Command

For those who have worked with Wi-Fi settings in macOS, you might be familiar with a quick command that lets you find your Wi-Fi SSID. This command is:

/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -I | sed -e "s/^  *SSID: //p" -e d

This command provides the name of the Wi-Fi network, or SSID, that you’re currently connected to. While we can’t use it directly for VPNs, it’s a nice comparison for what we’re about to do with AppleScript.

AppleScript

So, how do you find your VPN’s name on macOS? Turns out, you can use AppleScript! Here’s a nifty bit of code:

tell application "System Events"
    tell current location of network preferences
        get name of every service whose (kind is greater than 11 and kind is less than 16) and connected of current configuration is true
    end tell
end tell

Shell Commands for Mac VPN

You may wonder, “Can I run this script from the command line?” Absolutely! Using osascript can save you from manually navigating AppleScript each time you want to check the VPN’s name.

Here’s the command-line version:

osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to tell current location of network preferences to get name of every service whose (kind is greater than 11 and kind is less than 16) and connected of current configuration is true'

Troubleshooting

If you’re having issues with the above script, here are a few common culprits:

• Permissions: Sometimes, System Events needs permission to access network preferences. Head to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and check that Automation permissions are enabled.
• Syntax Errors: AppleScript is finicky with syntax. Make sure you’ve copied the code exactly or pasted it correctly in your script editor.

Why the AppleScript “Whose Clause” Matters

AppleScript has a particular syntax called the “whose clause” — it allows us to specify certain properties or ranges when pulling information. For VPNs, the whose clause lets us filter services by type and connection status.

The command kind is greater than 11 and kind is less than 16 specifically targets VPN services in macOS. This is because:

• Types 12–15 are reserved for various VPN types (L2TP, IPSec, etc.)

When combined with connected of current configuration is true, we ensure that only connected VPNs are listed.

System Events and AppleScript

For curious souls who want to learn more about AppleScript, exploring AppleScript dictionaries can be eye-opening. You can find dictionaries for different apps in the AppleScript Editor (go to File > Open Dictionary).

The AppleScript dictionary contains “verbs” or “commands” that apps understand, plus properties you can call on. For network preferences, look for terms like current configuration or every service.

FAQ

Q1: Why isn’t the script showing my VPN name?

Check that the VPN is actively connected and within the type range 12–15. Also, verify permissions in Security & Privacy > Automation for System Events.

Q2: Why the specific range (greater than 11 and less than 16)?

Apple assigns integer values to network types, with values between 12 and 15 identifying VPNs on macOS.

Q3: Can I automate this further?

Definitely! Consider making it a recurring command through Automator or a small background task.

Conclusion

Finding your VPN’s name on macOS can be a fun little exercise in exploring AppleScript and command-line tools. Armed with these commands, you’re ready to connect, detect, and inspect your VPN with ease. Whether you’re a command-line enthusiast or an AppleScript adventurer, these tools are great for customizing your macOS experience.