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McAfee Safe Connect is discontinued. McAfee says the VPN stopped being accessible after August 15, 2026, so the cutoff has passed. McAfee identifies McAfee Secure VPN as its successor, but the newer service is a separate product; its current features should not be treated as features or test results of Safe Connect.
Is McAfee Safe Connect still available?
No. McAfee’s end-of-life FAQ says Safe Connect would no longer be accessible after August 15, 2026. That date has passed, so McAfee Safe Connect is discontinued as of October 2026. See McAfee’s end-of-life FAQ.
This is a statement about access to the former app, not a finding about how well it performed before discontinuation. No sufficiently documented independent Safe Connect speed, streaming, leak-test, or historical privacy results are established here.
What replaced McAfee Safe Connect?
McAfee identifies McAfee Secure VPN as the successor. The current U.S. product page presents Secure VPN as part of McAfee consumer protection plans. It is not simply a renamed Safe Connect: the available information does not establish that the former app’s features, settings, or performance carried over.
#1 Best Overall
- MCAFEE TOTAL PROTECTION IS ALL-IN-ONE PROTECTION — delivering award-winning antivirus for 3 devices, with identity monitoring and VPN
- ID MONITORING — we'll monitor everything from email addresses to IDs and phone numbers for signs of breaches. If your info is found, we'll notify you so you can take action
- BANK, SHOP, AND BROWSE ANYWHERE SECURELY WITH UNLIMITED VPN — protect your online privacy automatically when connecting to public Wi-Fi
- SECURE YOUR ACCOUNTS — generate and store complex passwords with a password manager
- AWARD-WINNING ANTIVIRUS — rest easy knowing McAfee will notify you of risky websites and protect you from the latest threats
What McAfee currently says Secure VPN offers
- Support for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS.
- Automatic activation on unprotected networks, along with an option to keep the VPN on.
- VPN locations in almost 50 countries.
- AES 256-bit encryption.
These are current vendor statements, not independent verification or test results. McAfee also says its VPN technology is independently reviewed and audited; the scope of that audit is not detailed here, so that claim should not be read as a blanket privacy guarantee.
Is McAfee Secure VPN the same as Safe Connect?
No. McAfee names Secure VPN as Safe Connect’s replacement, but they are distinct products. Secure VPN’s current feature descriptions and terms do not establish what Safe Connect offered or how the older app performed. In particular, there are no substantiated Safe Connect performance findings here for speed, streaming access, or leak protection.
Rank #2
- PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY WHEREVER, WHENEVER with Secure VPN. Bank, shop, and browse confidently knowing your personal info and online activity are protected from prying eyes and cybercriminals
- GET AUTOMATIC VPN PROTECTION - Secure VPN turns on automatically when you connect to public Wi-Fi so you don’t have to think twice about staying safe online
- CHOOSE A SECURE CONNECTION - Select from three VPN protocols (IKEv2, OpenVPN, and IPSec) and a list of almost 50 countries to connect to a VPN server in that location
- STAY PRIVATE WITH SPLIT TUNNELING - Choose which apps will use VPN for better performance and compatibility with streaming apps and better compatibility with apps that don't work as well with VPN
- TOTAL PROTECTION - McAfee VPN with Total Protection provides basic protection for your personal information, devices, and online activities for up to 10 personal devices.
McAfee says of Secure VPN, “We don’t log or track what you do online, so your online activity remains private.” That is the company’s privacy claim, not an independently verified conclusion in this article. Anyone comparing VPNs should examine the relevant privacy policy and audit scope, as well as independent testing that identifies the product version and methodology.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat devices does McAfee Secure VPN support?
McAfee’s current U.S. VPN page lists Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS. This is a statement about Secure VPN, not proof of Safe Connect compatibility or continued access to the discontinued app. Confirm current availability for your device and plan on McAfee’s product page before subscribing.
Rank #3
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few clicks, and your info stays protected on public Wi-Fi every time you connect.
- PERSONAL DATA SCANS – Take your info off the market. We’ll find your personal information on sites selling it, then guide you on how to remove it.
- SOCIAL PRIVACY MANAGER – Decide what you share. McAfee finds the privacy settings buried in your social accounts and fixes them.
When should you use a VPN on public Wi-Fi?
McAfee recommends using a VPN on untrusted public Wi-Fi, including networks in airports, cafés, and hotels. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN service, but it does not make every online activity anonymous or protect against every security threat. Keep your device and apps updated, use secure connections, and avoid entering sensitive information on pages you cannot verify.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before moving to Secure VPN
- Confirm that the service fits your device. Check McAfee’s current supported-platform list and whether Secure VPN is included in the plan offered in your region.
- Review the privacy terms. Read the current policy and look for what data is collected, how long it is retained, and what an audit covers.
- Check the full subscription terms. McAfee says annual subscriptions renew automatically and renewal prices may change. Introductory pricing may differ from the renewal price.
- Review the refund conditions. McAfee says a full refund may be requested within 30 days of an initial purchase or 60 days of a renewal charge, subject to exceptions that include monthly subscriptions. Check the live terms for the offer and region before buying.
McAfee’s recommendation for public Wi-Fi and Secure VPN’s stated features describe the current successor only. They do not provide a basis for rating Safe Connect’s past performance or for assuming that an old Safe Connect subscription, installation, or setting transfers automatically.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Rank #4
- Mcafee Internet Security 2015 - Box Pack ( 1 Year ) - 3 Pcs - Win - English - United States
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
