Venn secures work and protects your privacy by isolating business activity from any personal use on the same device.
In order to access your work-related data in Venn’s Blue Border™ on your Mac computer, you will need to install and set up the Venn app, Workplace.
Learn how to set up Venn on a Windows computer.
Review System and Software Requirements
Before you set up Venn on your computer, you must ensure that the device meets the System and Software requirements necessary to run Venn’s Blue Border™.
You may be able to install Venn on a device that doesn’t meet Venn’s system and software requirements, but these devices (very old devices, devices with outdated operating systems, devices with limited RAM available, etc.) will struggle to run Venn and the apps you need to complete your work.
If you used a VDI solution or virtual machine to securely access work apps on your computer in the past, the loading speed for your work applications was determined by the virtual computer where they were hosted.
Venn opens your work applications in an encrypted Secure Enclave on your device, which means that your work applications must be downloaded on your device and the loading speed for your work applications will be determined by your device. Performance issues may be experienced if your device does not meet Venn’s system and software requirements.
Get Your Enrollment Link and Login Information
In order to set up Venn on your Mac computer, your company will provide you with a link that you can use to enroll in Venn. The URL will be in this format: https://[COMPANY_ID].venn.com
.
Your login information will be determined depending on how your company manages your user information:
- Login through Single Sign On (most common): If your company manages your user information through Okta, Azure/Entra, or JumpCloud, you will use that login for Venn.
- Login with a Venn username and create a password: If your company manages your user information directly in Venn, they will provide you with a username that you will use to log in to Venn (typically your work email address). Venn will confirm your identity by sending a six-digit verification code to the mobile number associated with your account.
If you have already enrolled in Venn on another device and need to install the app on a new Mac computer, you will use your existing Venn login information to sign in.
Log In
- Go to the enrollment link provided by your company in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. The URL will be in this format:
https://[COMPANY_ID].venn.com
. - Enter your work email address and click Next.
- Verify your identity. You will see one of the options in the table below depending on how your company manages your user information and whether or not you have logged in to Venn before. Click to expand for detailed instructions:
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If you are prompted to log in using Single Sign On:
- Click Continue.
- Log in using your typical Okta, Azure/Entra, or JumpCloud credentials. You may need to complete multifactor authentication.
- Click Continue.
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If you are prompted to check your mobile phone:
- Venn will send a six-digit verification code to the mobile number associated with your account. Input the code and click Next.
- Input and verify a password that you will use to log in to Venn going forward and click Set Password.
- Venn will send a six-digit verification code to the mobile number associated with your account. Input the code and click Next.
- If prompted to enter a password, enter your existing Venn password and click Sign In. You may need to complete multifactor authentication.
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Download and Run the Installer
- On the welcome screen, click Install.
- Click to open the installer in the top right of your browser window or click the Finder icon
in the Dock, go to Downloads, and double-click to open the installer. - Click Install in the utility that opens.
- Click Allow in the window that opens to grant permission to test the device health.
The app will not be installed if your device is running an Operating System that doesn’t meet Venn’s Operating System requirements. - Follow the onscreen prompts to install the Venn app, Workplace.
- Click Continue.
- Click Continue, then Install to use the default installation destination and type.
- We recommend that you use the default settings, but you can change the default installation destination and type if needed.
- If you would like to change the installation destination, click Change Install Location to select a different disk for installation.
- If you would like to change the installation type, click Change Install Type.
- If a password is required to install software on your device, a password dialog will appear. If prompted, enter your device password.
- Input your Mac password, not your Venn password.
- Click Install Software.
- The installation may take a few minutes to complete.
- When installation has completed, click Close, then click Move to trash in the dialog that appears.
- Additional components will be set up automatically. The list of components may vary depending on how your company uses Venn. This process may take several minutes to complete. Once all components have been set up, click Done.
- You will be notified that Workplace has added features that can run in the background.
When the setup is complete, click to open the Workplace app from your Dock, Launchpad, or under Applications in the Finder. Learn how to open apps on a Mac.
When you open the app, you will either be prompted to set up multifactor authentication (if required by your organization) or to enable Mac permissions.
Set Up Multifactor Authentication on Your Mobile Device (If Prompted)
If your company requires multifactor authentication, you will be prompted to download the Workplace app on your mobile device.
- Open the camera application on your mobile device and scan the QR code that appears on your screen. Learn how to scan a QR code using an Android or Apple device.
- If you are unable to scan the QR code, you can also find the app by searching for "Workplace - work_connected" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your mobile device.
- If you are unable to scan the QR code, you can also find the app by searching for "Workplace - work_connected" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your mobile device.
- Click Install to install the mobile app
- Once installed, open the app.
- Enter the username and password that you used to log in to Venn.
- Click Create PIN to set a 6-digit Personal Identification Number that lets you quickly log into your mobile app.
- Enter a six-digit PIN and confirm it on the next screen.
Once you complete these steps, you can use multifactor authentication to sign into Venn. After you log in to the Workplace app on your computer, an approval request will be sent to your phone.
- Open Workplace on your smartphone.
- Enter your 6-digit pin.
- Click Allow in the Verify sign-in dialog.
Next, you will be prompted to enable Mac permissions.
Enable Mac Permissions
Due to Apple's focus on security, you must enable special permissions to run Venn on a Mac.
Venn’s Mac Permissions Guide will open automatically once you have finished installing Workplace on your Mac computer. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of enabling Venn’s required security and privacy permissions. The guide will explain why each specific permission is needed, and how to access and grant the permission.
Watch the video below for an overview of this process.
The Mac Permissions Guide will cover the following steps:
- Allow Disk Access for Work Files
- Enable Work VPN
- Add Work VPN Configuration
- Enable Blue Border for Work Applications
- Enable Blue Border for Work Applications (2)
- Enable the Work Browser
- Enable Work File System
- Add Work Clipboard
The guide will walk you through exactly what to do in each step. As you complete each step, the guide will automatically move to the next.
Click the corresponding link above or scroll to the appropriate section if you need additional support with any of the steps.
Once you have completed step 8, you can start using Venn’s Blue Border on your Mac Computer.
Step 1: Allow Disk Access for Work Files
In this step, you will allow Venn to access an encrypted storage location to save and store work-related data.
- Click the link in the guide.
- Click to toggle the permission on for Workplace and Workplace Container.
- Once you toggle the permission on, you may be notified that the selected application will not have full disk access until it is quit. Rather than clicking Quit and Reopen, click Later to avoid logging out of Workplace.
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- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
- Click the System Settings icon
in the Dock or go to the Apple menu
and select System Settings.
- Scroll to find and click Privacy and Security.
- Scroll to find and click Full Disk Access.
- Click to toggle the permission on for Workplace and Workplace Container.
- Once you toggle the permission on, you may be notified that the selected application will not have full disk access until it is quit. Rather than clicking Quit and Reopen, click Later to avoid logging out of Workplace.
- Click the System Settings icon
- If you are unable to make changes on the Full Disk Access page, you may need to locate and click the lock icon
in the lower left corner of the window and enter your device password.
- Once you click to toggle each permission on, you may be prompted to enter your device password and click Modify Settings or Unlock or to authenticate using Touch ID.
- If you do not see either Workplace or Workplace container on the list of applications that you can grant full disk access to, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume. Try clicking the link in the guide for this step again to enable the permission.
- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
Step 2: Enable Work VPN
In this step, you will allow Venn to set up a VPN so that your work-related network traffic can use a separate connection from your personal one.
- Click the link in the guide.
- You will see a popup that indicates that the Workplace Gateway system extension was blocked. Click Open System Settings to open the Login Items & Extensions page in System Settings where you can enable the permission.
- Toggle on the Workplace Gateway network extension and click Done.
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- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
- Click the System Settings icon
in the Dock or go to the Apple menu
and select System Settings.
- Scroll to find and click General.
- Scroll to find and click Login Items & Extensions.
- Toggle on the Workplace Gateway network extension.
- Click the System Settings icon
- If you are unable to make changes on the Privacy and Security page, you may need to locate and click the lock icon
in the lower left corner of the window and enter your device password.
- Once you click to Allow, you may be prompted to enter your device password and click Modify Settings or Unlock or to authenticate using Touch ID.
- If you do not see System software application from “Workplace Gateway” was blocked from loading under Security, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume. Try clicking the link in the guide for this step again to enable the permission.
- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
Step 3: Add Work VPN Configuration
In this step, you will allow Venn to create a secure connection for work-related traffic.
- Click the link in the guide.
- You will see a popup that asks you if you would like to allow “Workplace Gateway” to add VPN configurations. Click Allow to enable the permission.
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- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
- Click the System Settings icon
in the Dock or go to the Apple menu
and select System Settings.
- Scroll to find and click VPN.
- Toggle on the Workplace Gateway VPN.
- Click the System Settings icon
- If you are unable to make changes on the VPN page, you may need to locate and click the lock icon
in the lower left corner of the window and enter your device password.
- Once you click Allow or toggle the permission on, you may be prompted to enter your device password and click Modify Settings or Unlock or to authenticate using Touch ID.
- If you do not see Workplace Gateway when you navigate to the VPN page, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume. Try clicking the link in the guide for this step again to enable the permission.
- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
Step 4: Enable Blue Border for Work Applications
In this step, you will allow Venn to display a Badge on the side of applications when they are being used for work to help you easily identify them.
- Click the link in the guide.
- You will see a popup that indicates that the Workplace Badge would like to control this computer using accessibility features. Click Open System Settings to open the Accessibility page in System Settings where you can enable the permission.
- Click to toggle the permission on for Workplace Badge.
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- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
- Click the System Settings icon
in the Dock or go to the Apple menu
and select System Settings.
- Scroll to find and click Privacy and Security.
- Scroll to find and click Accessibility.
- Click to toggle the permission on for Workplace Badge.
- Click the System Settings icon
- If you are unable to make changes on the Accessibility page, you may need to locate and click the lock icon
in the lower left corner of the window and enter your device password.
- Once you click to toggle the permission on, you may be prompted to enter your device password and click Modify Settings or Unlock or to authenticate using Touch ID.
- If you do not see Workplace Badge on the list of applications that you can grant access to control your computer, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume.
- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
Step 5: Enable Blue Border for Work Applications (2)
In this step, you will allow Venn to display a blue border around applications when they are being used for work to help you easily identify them.
- Click the link in the guide.
- You will see a popup that indicates that the Workplace Badge would like to control this computer using accessibility features. Click Open System Settings to open the Screen Recording or Screen & System Audio Recording page in System Settings where you can enable the permission.
- Click to toggle the permission on for Workplace Container.
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- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
- Click the System Settings icon
in the Dock or go to the Apple menu
and select System Settings.
- Scroll to find and click Privacy and Security.
- Scroll to find and click Screen Recording or Screen & System Audio Recording.
- Click to toggle the permission on for Workplace Container.
- Click the System Settings icon
- If you are unable to make changes on the Screen Recording or Screen & System Audio Recording page, you may need to locate and click the lock icon
in the lower left corner of the window and enter your device password.
- Once you click to toggle the permission on, you may be prompted to enter your device password and click Modify Settings or Unlock or to authenticate using Touch ID.
- If you do not see Workplace Container on the list of applications that you can grant access to record the contents of your screen, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume.
- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
Step 6: Enable the Work Browser
In this step, you will allow Venn to direct work-related links to the correct browser.
- Click the link in the guide.
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You will see a popup that asks you if you would like to change your default web browser to the Workplace Launcher for work links if you click the link in the guide. Click Use “Workplace Web Launcher” to enable the permission.
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- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
- Click the System Settings icon
in the Dock or go to the Apple menu
and select System Settings.
- Scroll to find and click Desktop & Dock.
- Scroll down to Widgets.
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Click the Default web browser dropdown and change the browser to Workplace Web Launcher to enable the permission.
- Click the System Settings icon
- If you are unable to make changes on the Desktop & Dock page, you may need to locate and click the lock icon
in the lower left corner of the window and enter your device password.
- Once you change the default web browser, you may be prompted to enter your device password and click Modify Settings or Unlock or to authenticate using Touch ID.
- If you do not see Workplace Web Launcher in the list of possible default web browsers, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume.
- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
Step 7: Enable Work File System
In this step, you will allow Venn to create an encrypted storage location where you can access work files when using Venn.
- Click the link in the guide.
- Click Enable next to “workplace_” is not enabled. To access “workplace_” click Enable in the Finder.
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- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
- Click the Finder icon
in the Dock.
- Click workplace_ under Locations in the Finder.
- Click Enable next to “workplace_” is not enabled. To access “workplace_” click Enable in the Finder.
- Click the Finder icon
- If you do not see workplace_ under locations in the Finder or the option to enable it when you click on it, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume.
- If needed, you can follow these steps to access and enable the permission instead of clicking the link in the guide:
Step 8: Add Work Clipboard
In this step, you will allow Venn to create a clipboard so that it can apply policies that restrict the movement of work-related data outside of the work environment.
- Click the Logout link in the guide to log out and apply the permission.
Start Using Venn
The Workplace app will open automatically upon restart of your computer.
A badge will appear to notify you that Workplace can send you notifications.
A popup will appear asking you to allow Workplace to access your music, video, and media library. Click to Allow.
Once you have completed the steps above, you can start using Venn’s Blue Border on your Mac Computer.