How to whitelist websites on nordvpn your guide to split tunneling

Yes, you can selectively route traffic through NordVPN and keep certain sites outside the VPN tunnel using split tunneling. This guide walks you through how to whitelist websites on NordVPN so you can access local services, streaming, and banking sites without the VPN, while everything else stays protected. Below you’ll find a practical, step-by-step approach, plus tips, screenshots-inspired descriptions, and real-world scenarios to help you set it up quickly.

Useful note: If you’re ready to try NordVPN now, you can click this link to get started and support the site at the same time:

Table of contents:

What split tunneling is and why you’d want to whitelist sites
Quick overview: supported platforms and limits
Step-by-step: how to whitelist websites on NordVPN by platform
- Windows
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
- Chrome OS and Linux
Common whitelisting scenarios and best practices
Troubleshooting tips
Security considerations
FAQ

What split tunneling is and why you’d want to whitelist sites
Split tunneling lets you decide which traffic goes through the NordVPN tunnel and which traffic uses your regular internet connection. This is useful when: The Ultimate Guide to The Best VPN for Vodafone Users in 2026: Fast, Secure, and Reliable Options for Vodafone Networks

You need access to local bank sites or home devices that block VPN IPs
You want to stream from a service that detects VPNs and blocks you
You want faster speeds for certain apps that don’t need VPN protection
You want to reduce VPN data usage on certain tasks

In short: whitelist specific websites and keep the rest on the VPN for a balance of speed, access, and security.

Quick overview: supported platforms and limits

Windows, macOS, Android, iOS all support split tunneling with NordVPN’s app.
Linux support varies by distribution and often requires manual configuration or VPN profiles.
Browser extensions like NordVPN for Chrome sometimes offer limited split tunneling-like features; for full control, use the desktop/mobile apps.
Note: The exact steps and terminology might differ across versions, but the underlying idea is the same: designate which traffic bypasses the VPN.

Step-by-step: how to whitelist websites on NordVPN by platform

Windows

Open NordVPN app and sign in.
Go to Settings gear icon > Split Tunneling.
Enable Split Tunneling if it’s off.
Choose how you want to configure:
- Applications: Whitelist by applications e.g., keep your browser outside VPN while other apps stay on VPN
- Websites: If available, select a “Bypass VPN” for specific websites. Some versions show a list of domains you can add.
To whitelist specific websites, add the domains you want to bypass the VPN, such as banking websites, streaming sites, or local services.
Save changes and test by visiting a whitelisted site in your browser to confirm it loads without VPN routing.

MacOS Najlepsze vpn do ogladania polskiej telewizji za granica w 2026 roku

Open NordVPN and navigate to Settings > Split Tunneling.
Turn on Split Tunneling.
Pick your mode:
- By application: Add your browser e.g., Chrome, Safari so only that app bypasses the VPN.
- By website: If the client supports direct website whitelisting, add the domains you want to bypass the VPN.
Enter the domains exactly as you’d type them include subdomains if needed, e.g., bank.example.com, or login.example.org.
Apply and test by visiting the domains in your browser.

Android

Launch the NordVPN app.
Open Settings > Split Tunneling.
Enable Split Tunneling.
Choose between:
- Only these apps use VPN you can invert this to bypass VPN for specific apps, including a browser
- Exclude apps from VPN leave browser excluded so it bypasses VPN while other apps stay on VPN
If the option exists for website-level control, add domains you want to bypass. If not, you’ll typically bypass by app e.g., browser instead.
Save and verify by loading the whitelisted site in the excluded browser.

IOS

Open the NordVPN app.
Go to Settings > Split Tunneling.
Enable Split Tunneling.
Choose your configuration:
- Allow VPN for all apps except specific ones
- Exclude specific apps e.g., Safari or Chrome from VPN
If iOS supports domain-based bypass in your version, add domains to bypass; otherwise, rely on app-based exclusions.
Test by visiting the whitelisted site in the browser you excluded.

Chrome OS and Linux

Chrome OS: Use the NordVPN app for Chrome OS, then configure split tunneling to bypass the browser app if domain-based site bypass isn’t available.
Linux: You may need to configure policy files or use the terminal with NetworkManager or OpenVPN/TAC profiles. Split tunneling on Linux is often more manual and may involve routing rules or custom scripts to bypass VPN for certain domains.

Common whitelisting scenarios and best practices

Banking and financial sites: Always verify you can access them with VPN off. Add domains like bank.example.com and payments.example.org to the whitelist.
Local network devices: If you have a home media server or router with a local IP range, bypass VPN for the local network to avoid cuts in your LAN access.
Streaming while not blocking: Some streaming services block VPNs. If you must access a service without VPN, whitelist the streaming site domain and test with a fresh session to ensure it works.
Frequent cross-region work: If you’re traveling and need local content or services, create a separate split tunneling profile for that region, toggling domains or apps accordingly.

Tips for reliable whitelisting Hoe je een gratis proefversie van expressvpn krijgt de eenvoudigste hack

Use explicit domain names example: bank.example.com rather than short names.
Include both the root domain and the subdomain if necessary example: example.com and login.example.com.
Periodically re-check whitelisted domains after app updates; some apps change endpoints.
Keep a small, focused list to minimize misrouting and potential leaks.

Troubleshooting tips

If a whitelisted site still loads through VPN: confirm you’re using the latest NordVPN app version. Update if not.
If protection drops or you see the VPN disconnect: recheck split tunneling rules; a reboot can help apply new settings.
DNS leaks: Ensure DNS requests for whitelisted sites go through the normal DNS resolver, not through the VPN tunnel. If you suspect leaks, toggle DNS settings in NordVPN or use a trusted DNS service.
WebRTC leaks: Some browsers leak IPs via WebRTC. Disable WebRTC for browsers you use to access sensitive sites, or use browser settings/extensions to mitigate.
Test with multiple browsers: Occasionally a browser extension or setting overrides split tunneling rules. Test with a clean browser profile.

Security considerations

Whitelisting reduces VPN protection for the specified sites. Make sure those sites are trusted, use HTTPS, and implement two-factor authentication where possible.
Regularly audit your whitelist list. Remove sites you no longer need to bypass the VPN to minimize risk.
If you’re on shared networks, consider whether certain apps or services should remain behind the VPN for added protection.

FAQ

Table of Contents

How does split tunneling work with NordVPN?

Split tunneling lets you choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which traffic uses your regular internet connection. You can bypass VPN for specific websites or apps, depending on the platform, to balance privacy and performance.

Can I whitelist specific websites on all devices?

Most platforms support some form of split tunneling, but the exact steps vary by device. Desktop apps Windows/macOS typically offer more granular control than mobile apps. Самые быстрые vpn сервисы 2026 полный гайд п

Is split tunneling safe?

Split tunneling is convenient but can introduce exposure if not used carefully. Only bypass sites you trust and ensure you use HTTPS, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication where available.

Will I still get NordVPN’s protection for other apps?

Yes, as long as those apps are configured to route through the VPN, they’ll be protected. Bypassed sites don’t benefit from the VPN’s encryption.

How do I know if a site is bypassing the VPN?

Visit a site and check your IP via a site like “what is my ip” or NordVPN’s own IP check. If the IP corresponds to your real location, the site is bypassing the VPN.

Can I bypass VPN for my entire browser?

Yes, many platforms let you exclude the browser app from VPN, effectively allowing all browser traffic to bypass the VPN while the rest of your devices stay protected.

Do I need to restart my device after changing split tunneling settings?

Often, a simple reconnect of the VPN is enough, but some devices benefit from a quick restart to ensure rules take effect. Hoe je in china veilig gmail kunt gebruiken in 2026: complete gids met VPN, privacytips en betrouwbare opties

Will split tunneling affect streaming quality?

It can improve streaming if your streaming service blocks VPN IPs because the traffic isn’t going through the VPN. However, if the VPN is needed for a stable connection to the service, you may still experience variability.

Can I switch profiles quickly for different tasks?

Yes. Many users create separate profiles or switch the split tunneling mode depending on whether they want certain sites/apps bypassed.

Additional resources and reference

NordVPN official split tunneling guide
nordvpn support pages for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
General VPN safety and privacy best practices
DNS leak testing resources
Two-factor authentication guides for popular services
Online privacy and security news updates

This guide aimed to give you a clear, practical path to whitelist websites on NordVPN using split tunneling. By configuring the right domains or apps to bypass the VPN, you can keep access to local services and streaming while maintaining protection for everything else. If you want more tailored instructions for your exact device and NordVPN version, drop a comment with your OS and app version and I’ll walk you through it step by step.