VPNs are designed to route all your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, protecting your data and hiding your IP address. While that’s great for privacy, it can sometimes cause inconveniences—like slowing down local services or blocking access to certain apps that need your real location.

That’s where Split Tunneling comes in. Surfshark offers this feature to give you more control over your VPN connection, letting you decide which apps or websites use the VPN and which connect directly to the internet.

In this guide, we’ll explore what Surfshark Split Tunneling is, how it works, and the scenarios where using it makes sense.

What Is Split Tunneling in Surfshark?

Split Tunneling is a VPN feature that allows you to divide your internet traffic into two streams:

1. Through the VPN tunnel – Encrypted, private, and masked with your VPN IP address.

2. Outside the VPN tunnel – Direct connection to the internet with your real IP address.
   
   

Instead of applying the VPN to everything, you can choose specific apps to route through the VPN (or exclude from it), depending on your needs.

How Surfshark Split Tunneling Works

When you enable Split Tunneling in Surfshark:

• You select which applications should use the VPN and which should bypass it.

• Surfshark encrypts and routes only the selected traffic through its servers.

• Non-VPN traffic flows normally through your ISP without encryption.
  
  

This setup helps balance security, speed, and functionality by giving you fine-grained control over your connections.

Example:

• You stream Netflix through the VPN to access another region’s library.

• At the same time, your banking app connects outside the VPN to avoid triggering security flags.
  
  

Benefits of Using Split Tunneling

Split Tunneling isn’t just about convenience—it can genuinely improve your online experience.

1. Faster Speeds for Non-VPN Activities

VPN encryption adds a small amount of overhead, which can slow down certain activities. By excluding non-sensitive apps from the VPN, you free up bandwidth for them.

2. Access to Local Services

Some apps, like online banking or government portals, block VPN connections for security reasons. Split Tunneling lets you access these services without disconnecting the VPN entirely.

3. Better Streaming Control

You can stream content from different regions using the VPN while keeping your local apps running outside it. For example, watch US Netflix through the VPN while browsing local news directly.

4. Reduced Data Load

If you have limited bandwidth or data caps, routing only essential apps through the VPN can save resources.

5. Seamless Gaming & Workflows

Gamers can keep their game traffic outside the VPN for minimal latency while protecting browser or chat apps with encryption.

When to Use Surfshark Split Tunneling

Split Tunneling can be a game-changer in specific scenarios:

• Online Banking – Many banking apps block VPN IPs; bypassing the VPN ensures smooth logins.

• Local Device Access – If you need to print or share files over your home network, some devices won’t respond when your traffic is tunneled through a VPN.

• Streaming Services – Avoid logging out of local streaming accounts while accessing foreign libraries.

• Work-From-Home Setups – Keep sensitive work apps on the VPN while letting personal apps run directly.

• Gaming – Minimize lag by keeping game traffic outside the VPN while encrypting background apps.
  
  

How to Enable Split Tunneling in Surfshark

Setting up Split Tunneling in Surfshark is straightforward:

1. Open the Surfshark App – Available on Windows and Android (feature may not be available on iOS or macOS yet).

2. Go to Settings – Look for “VPN Settings” or “Features.”

3. Select Split Tunneling – It may appear as “Bypasser” in Surfshark’s interface.

4. Choose Apps or Websites – Decide which ones will use the VPN and which won’t.

5. Save & Connect – Your settings take effect immediately once you connect to the VPN.

Potential Downsides of Split Tunneling

While Split Tunneling offers flexibility, it also comes with considerations:

• Reduced Privacy for Excluded Apps – Any app outside the VPN tunnel exposes your real IP and data to your ISP.

• Configuration Errors – Accidentally excluding the wrong app can expose sensitive activity.

• Limited Platform Availability – Currently, Surfshark’s Split Tunneling isn’t available on all devices.
  
  

Best Practices for Using Surfshark Split Tunneling

To get the most out of Split Tunneling without compromising security:

• Use it selectively – Only exclude apps that truly need to bypass the VPN.

• Double-check sensitive apps – Ensure email, messaging, and file-sharing apps remain inside the VPN unless necessary.

• Combine with Kill Switch – This ensures excluded apps don’t leak data if the VPN drops unexpectedly.

• Update regularly – Keep your Surfshark app updated to access new Split Tunneling improvements.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Surfshark’s Split Tunneling (or “Bypasser”) feature is a smart solution for users who need flexibility. It allows you to enjoy the security of a VPN where it matters most while keeping other apps fast, functional, and unaffected.

If you often find yourself switching the VPN on and off just to use certain services, Split Tunneling can save you the hassle and streamline your online activities.

Used wisely, it’s one of the most practical Surfshark features—offering a balance between privacy, performance, and convenience.