Topics Map > Networking > Virtual private networking (VPN)

VPN, CISCO AnyConnect, Mac OS Version compatibility

Is the Cisco AnyConnect VPN compatible with Mac OS?

The current version of the Cisco AnyConnect client available through the VPN server upgrades and on the WebStore ( as of 11/20/2023 this is 5.0.02075) is officially supported and compatible with Mac OS versions including Mac OS 11 (Big Sur), 12 (Monterey), 13 (Ventura), and 14 (Sonoma).  As a 64-bit application, with updates for the security changes in Mac OS 10.15, this version should be compatible with future operating systems Apple releases. Mac OS 10.12 users can use version 4.7 if version 4.8 does not work. Mac OS 10.14 and 10.15 users can use version 4.10 if version 5.0 does not work.

Mac OS versions older than 11 (Big Sur) are not officially supported but may work.  The Cisco Secure Connect - AnyConnect software versions needed to use Mac OS 10.8 or earlier have known security issues and are no longer being updated by Cisco. 
Additionally, when you connect to campus with the VPN it is the same as if your computer is attached to the wired or WiFi network on campus. The campus acceptable use policy applies to any computer connected to campus, and requires the computer to be running an OS currently supported by the vendor.  Apple normally only provides security patches for the three most recent versions of their OS. For example when Mac OS 13 (Ventura) came out, Apple stopped patching Mac OS 10.15, and only provides security patches for Mac OS 11, 12 and 13 so no computer with older software should connect to campus via the VPN.


Keywords:
VPN Cisco AnyConnect Mac OS X compatibility Sierra 10.13 Catalina 10.15 11 Big Sur Monterey Universal 12 14 13 
Doc ID:
47208
Owned by:
Network E. in University of Illinois Technology Services
Created:
2015-02-15
Updated:
2023-11-20
Sites:
University of Illinois Technology Services