Set Up Venn on a Mac Computer

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.

Additionally, your company will provide you with a username and may provide you with a password that you will use to log in to Venn.

  • Username: Your username will typically be your work email address. 
  • Password: If your company manages your Venn access through a third-party Identity Provider such as Okta or Entra, your company will provide you with a password that you will be prompted to use to log in to Venn. If your company manages identities through Venn, you will not need a password to log in; 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, you will use your existing Venn credentials to sign in.

If you don’t have an enrollment link or login information, reach out to your IT team for support.

Log In

  1. 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.
  2. Enter the username provided by your company and click Next.
    • This will typically be your work email address.

      Venn Login_Venn IDP.png

  3. Verify your identity.
    • If prompted to enter a password, enter the password provided by your company or your existing Venn password (if you’ve already enrolled in Venn) and click Sign In.

      Venn Login_3rd Party IDP.png

    • If Venn sends a six-digit verification code to the mobile number associated with your account, input the code and click Next. Then, input and verify a password that you will use to log in to Venn going forward and click Set Password.

      new_check_for_SMS.pngnew_initial_create_PWD.png

Download and Run the Installer

  1. On the welcome screen, click Install.

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  2. 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.
  3. Click Install in the utility that opens.
  4. Click Allow in the window that opens to grant permission to test the device health.

    5_workplace_onboarding_downloading_installer_allow_package_installer.png

    The app will not be installed if your device is running an Operating System that doesn’t meet Venn’s Operating System requirements.
  5. Follow the onscreen prompts to install the Venn app, Workplace.
    1. Click Continue.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Click Install Software.

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  6. The installation may take a few minutes to complete.
  7. When installation has completed, click Close, then click Move to trash in the dialog that appears.

When the installation 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.

Workplace App.png

If you installed the Venn app without logging in with your Venn login credentials, you may need to log in when you access the app for the first time.

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.

You can skip this step the first time you access the Workplace app, but you will be required to complete this step upon your next login.
  1. 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.

      venn_smartphone_qr_code.png

  2. Click Install to install the mobile app
  3. Once installed, open the app.
  4. Enter the username and password that you used to log in to Venn.
  5. Click Create PIN to set a 6-digit Personal Identification Number that lets you quickly log into your mobile app.
  6.  Enter a six-digit PIN and confirm it on the next screen.

    Mobile_Create Pin-portrait.png

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.

  1. Open Workplace on your smartphone.
  2. Enter your 6-digit pin.
  3. Click Allow in the Verify sign-in dialog.

    Mobile_Verify Sign-in.png

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:

  1. Allow Disk Access for Work Files
  2. Enable Work VPN
  3. Add Work VPN Configuration
  4. Enable Blue Border for Work Applications
  5. Enable Blue Border for Work Applications (2)
  6. Enable the Work Browser
  7. Enable Work File System
  8. 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.

If the guide doesn’t launch or the options described in the guide aren’t available at any point in the process, restart your computer, log back into the Workplace app, and the guide will resume.

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.

Access the Permission

Option A: Click the link in the guide.

Option B: Follow these navigation steps:

  1. Click the System Settings icon in the Dock or go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Scroll to find and click Privacy and Security.
  3. Scroll to find and click Full Disk Access.

Enable the Permission

To enable the permission, 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.

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • 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.

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.

Access the Permission

Option A: Click the link in the guide.

You will see a popup that indicates that the Workplace Gateway system extension was blocked. Click Open Security Preferences to open the Security page in System Settings where you can enable the permission.

Option B: Follow these navigation steps:

  1. Click the System Settings icon in the Dock or go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Scroll to find and click Privacy and Security.
  3. Scroll down to Security.

Enable the Permission

To enable the permission, click Allow next to System software application from “Workplace Gateway” was blocked from loading under Security on the Privacy and Security page.

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • 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.

Step 3: Add Work VPN Configuration

In this step, you will allow Venn to create a secure connection for work-related traffic.

Access the Permission

Option A: Click the link in the guide.

Option B: Follow these navigation steps:

  1. Click the System Settings icon in the Dock or go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Scroll to find and click VPN.

Enable the Permission

If you 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.

If you follow the navigation steps in Option B above, toggle on the Workplace Gateway VPN to enable the permission. 

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • 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.

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.

Access the Permission

Option A: 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.

Option B: Follow these navigation steps:

  1. Click the System Settings icon in the Dock or go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Scroll to find and click Privacy and Security.
  3. Scroll to find and click Accessibility.

Enable the Permission

To enable the permission, click to toggle the permission on for Workplace Badge.

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • 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.

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.

Access the Permission

Option A: 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.

Option B: Follow these navigation steps:

  1. Click the System Settings icon in the Dock or go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Scroll to find and click Privacy and Security.
  3. Scroll to find and click Screen Recording or Screen & System Audio Recording.

Enable the Permission

To enable the permission, click to toggle the permission on for Workplace Container.

Mac Permissions_Enable Blue Border Container for Work Applications.png

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • 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.

Step 6: Enable the Work Browser

In this step, you will allow Venn to direct work-related links to the correct browser.

Access the Permission

Option A: Click the link in the guide.

Option B: Follow these navigation steps:

  1. Click the System Settings icon in the Dock or go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Scroll to find and click Desktop & Dock.
  3. Scroll down to Widgets.

Enable the Permission

Although the system permission language indicates that Workplace will be set as a “default browser,” this permission will not change what web browser links will open in on your device. This permission simply ensures that links that you click from within Blue Border will open in a Blue Border window.

If you click the link in the guide, 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.

If you follow the navigation steps in Option B above, click the Default web browser dropdown and change the browser to Workplace Web Launcher to enable the permission. 

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • If you are unable to make changes on the PAGE NAME 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.

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. 

Access the Permission

Option A: Click the link in the guide.

Option B: Follow these navigation steps:

  1. Click the Finder icon Finder in the Dock.
  2. Click workplace_ under Locations in the Finder.

Enable the Permission

Click Enable next to “workplace_” is not enabled. To access “workplace_” click Enable in the Finder.

Tips and Troubleshooting

  • 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. 

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.

Enable the Permission

Click the Logout link in the guide to log out and apply the permission.

Clicking this link will log you out of Workplace and your computer. Save any work you have in progress and close other applications before proceeding.

Start Using Venn

Once you have completed the steps above, you can log back in to the Workplace app and start using Venn’s Blue Border on your Mac Computer.

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