<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 8.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 8.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 -",
    "macOS: 10.11.0 -",
    "tvOS: 17.0.0 -",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "NetworkExtension",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Enumeration",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Enumeration",
    "modules" : [
      "Network Extension"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:@E@NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod"
  },
  "title" : "NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod"
}
-->

# NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod

Internet Key Exchange (IKE) authentication methods used to authenticate with the IPSec server.

```
enum NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod
```

## Topics

### Authentication methods

[`NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethodNone`](/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod/none)

Do not authenticate with the IPSec server. Note that extended authentication may still be performed if the [`useExtendedAuthentication`](/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNProtocolIPSec/useExtendedAuthentication) property is set. This value is only valid for IKE version 2 (IKEv2)

[`NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethodCertificate`](/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod/certificate)

Use a certificate and private key as the authentication credential. The certificate and private key set in the [`identityReference`](/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNProtocol/identityReference) or [`identityData`](/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNProtocol/identityData) property will be used.

[`NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethodSharedSecret`](/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNIKEAuthenticationMethod/sharedSecret)

Use a shared secret as the authentication credential. The shared secret set in the [`sharedSecretReference`](/documentation/NetworkExtension/NEVPNProtocolIPSec/sharedSecretReference) property will be used.

## Relationships

### Conforms To

[`BitwiseCopyable`](/documentation/Swift/BitwiseCopyable)

[`Hashable`](/documentation/Swift/Hashable)

[`Equatable`](/documentation/Swift/Equatable)

[`Sendable`](/documentation/Swift/Sendable)

[`SendableMetatype`](/documentation/Swift/SendableMetatype)

[`RawRepresentable`](/documentation/Swift/RawRepresentable)

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)