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Freedom Troubleshooting for Mac

This article provides in-depth troubleshooting steps for the Freedom Mac app.

Freedom avatar
Written by Freedom
Updated over a month ago

Having issues getting Freedom to work on your Mac? We've created this document to provide some troubleshooting tips to get Freedom up and running on your computer.

1. Ensure Freedom is Installed and Logged In

Steps:

  • Install Freedom:
    ​    Make sure the Freedom app is installed on your computer. If it's not installed, you can download it from our Freedom downloads page.
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  • Log In:
    ​    Open the app and log in using your Freedom account email address and password.
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  • Check Device on the Dashboard:
    ​    Visit freedom.to/dashboard and log in. You should see your device listed under My Devices with a green circle next to it. If this appears, you’re all set!
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Need Help?

For detailed installation and login instructions, refer to this guide: How to Install Freedom for Mac.

Tip: if Freedom is still not working, try quitting and restarting the app or restarting your computer to resolve any temporary issues.

2. Make sure the app is running

Steps:

  • Check for the Butterfly Icon:
    ​    Look for the butterfly icon in your Mac menu bar to confirm the app is running.
    ​

  • Relaunch the App:
    ​    If you don’t see the icon, double-click the Freedom app icon in your Applications folder to relaunch it.

Note: The Mac menu bar can only display a limited number of app icons. If you don’t see the Freedom butterfly, try unpinning other apps to make room.

3. Ensure you are running the latest version

Steps:

  • Go to the Freedom app menu
    ​

  • Select Check for Updates to ensure you are using the latest version.

4. Make sure your security software isn't blocking Freedom

Some antivirus or security software may block Freedom from running.

Solution:

  • Add Freedom to the Allowed List:
    ​    Search online for instructions on how to add apps to the "allowed list" in your security software.
    ​

5. Check for VPN interference

VPNs can sometimes conflict with Freedom’s proxy, preventing blocks from working correctly. Some VPNs that may cause issues include:

  • NordVPN
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  • ExpressVPN
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  • Proton VPN
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  • Surfshark
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  • TunnelBear
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  • CyberGhost
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  • Private Internet Access
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  • Corporate/Work VPN (e.g., Cisco)
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    ​

Solution:

If you need to use Freedom alongside a VPN, consider running Freedom in Non-Proxy Mode. Learn how to enable Non-Proxy Mode for Mac here.

To ensure compatibility with browser-based VPNs, consider using our browser extensions.


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6. Ensure Freedom is active on the device

If your scheduled sessions aren’t starting automatically, make sure that Freedom is active on your Mac.

For more help, see: Ensuring Freedom is Active on Mac.



7. Check your session details

If Freedom isn’t blocking websites or apps as expected, verify your session settings.
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What to Check:

  • Session is Active: Ensure your block session is currently active.
    ​

  • Correct Devices: Verify that the correct device(s) are included in the session.
    ​

  • Correct Blocklist: Ensure your blocklist includes the websites, domains, and/or category filters you want to block.
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    ​

Tip:

If you add a new device (e.g., a new Mac, phone, or tablet), you’ll need to update your recurring sessions. To do this:

  1. Log in to freedom.to/dashboard.
    ​

  2. Edit the running session by clicking "edit schedule" or "edit session."
    ​

  3. Add the new device and save the session.
    ​

  4. Sync Freedom on your Mac by selecting Sync Freedom in the Mac menu.
    ​

Important: Make sure your blocklist contains the appropriate websites and category filters for your Mac. If you created the blocklist on iOS and only included iOS apps, it will not affect your Mac.


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8. Browser-Specific Troubleshooting

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Non-Proxy Mode or Website Exceptions:

Some browsers are not supported in Non-Proxy Mode or Website Exceptions. For more details, see: Supported Browsers for Website Exceptions and Non-Proxy Mode on Mac.


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9. Still having trouble?

If none of the troubleshooting steps above help, please contact us for further assistance.

How to Contact Us:

  • Include the following in your message:
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    • Your Freedom account email address
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    • A detailed description of the issue
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    • The device you're using
      ​

    • A video demonstration of the problem (if possible). Use your device’s built-in screen recording tool or a free service like Loom.
      ​
      ​

  • Tell us the steps you've taken to resolve the issue and when the problem started.
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    For more instructions on how to get in touch with us, see How to Contact Support.

Related Articles
Syncing Freedom on Mac
How to block apps on Mac
Freedom for Mac Desktop Menu Options Explained
Ensuring Freedom is active on your Mac
Freedom Troubleshooting for Windows
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