[GH-ISSUE #5729] Kernel level wireguard support for MacOS #11697

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saavagebueno · 2026-08-05T01:30:32-04:00

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:30:32 -04:00

Originally created by @robvanvolt on GitHub (Mar 29, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5729

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Currently, it does seem that only userspace wireguard is established on netbird on macos, in contrast to tailscale that uses a faster, and more robust kernel level implementation.

Describe the solution you'd like
Add kernel level wireguard support like Tailscale clients do.

Additional context
In sleep mode, wireguard kernel implementations still keep working, whereas userspace wireguard are "disconnected". Thus, you either have to disable sleep mode on MacOS clients to stay connected, or live with interrupted netbird connections.

Originally created by @robvanvolt on GitHub (Mar 29, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5729 **Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.** Currently, it does seem that only userspace wireguard is established on netbird on macos, in contrast to tailscale that uses a faster, and more robust kernel level implementation. **Describe the solution you'd like** Add kernel level wireguard support like Tailscale clients do. **Additional context** In sleep mode, wireguard kernel implementations still keep working, whereas userspace wireguard are "disconnected". Thus, you either have to disable sleep mode on MacOS clients to stay connected, or live with interrupted netbird connections.

saavagebueno added the feature-request label 2026-08-05 01:30:32 -04:00

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:30:33 -04:00

@lixmal commented on GitHub (Apr 5, 2026):

A kernel wireguard module is not feasible at the moment.

How did you come to the conclusion that tailscale uses a kernel wireguard module? It doesn't

@lixmal commented on GitHub (Apr 5, 2026): A kernel wireguard module is not feasible at the moment. How did you come to the conclusion that tailscale uses a kernel wireguard module? It doesn't

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:30:33 -04:00

@robvanvolt commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

Ah I thought the reason for have disconnectes with netbird when my macos devices sleep are because of the deeper implementation of tailscale... For example, tailscale is listed in the settings under "VPN", whereas netbird is not (while still both are connected to the corresponding selfhosted servers).

@robvanvolt commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): Ah I thought the reason for have disconnectes with netbird when my macos devices sleep are because of the deeper implementation of tailscale... For example, tailscale is listed in the settings under "VPN", whereas netbird is not (while still both are connected to the corresponding selfhosted servers).

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:30:33 -04:00

@jnfrati commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

@robvanvolt are you referring to this one? https://developer.apple.com/documentation/NetworkExtension

@jnfrati commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): @robvanvolt are you referring to this one? https://developer.apple.com/documentation/NetworkExtension

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:30:33 -04:00

@robvanvolt commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026):

Yes! And I assume this is the reason why the Netbird is disconnected when the Mac is asleep while the Tailscale works flawlessly (showing "connected" in the headscale server and is able to "wake" the Mac / connect to it over ssh / screen sharing).

@robvanvolt commented on GitHub (Apr 7, 2026): Yes! And I assume this is the reason why the Netbird is disconnected when the Mac is asleep while the Tailscale works flawlessly (showing "connected" in the headscale server and is able to "wake" the Mac / connect to it over ssh / screen sharing).

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:30:33 -04:00

@lixmal commented on GitHub (Apr 20, 2026):

You might want to disable the sleep detector:

netbird service reconfigure --service-env "NB_DISABLE_SLEEP_DETECTOR=true"

once https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/pull/5926 is released

@lixmal commented on GitHub (Apr 20, 2026): You might want to disable the sleep detector: ``` netbird service reconfigure --service-env "NB_DISABLE_SLEEP_DETECTOR=true" ``` once https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/pull/5926 is released

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Reference: DYNR/netbird#11697