Home Interests Mac

How to Prioritize Ethernet Over Wi-Fi in macOS

howchoo
howchoo   (436)
September 12, 2023
3 minutes

Share

Interests
Posted in these interests:

Mac

mac • 22 guides
macos • 18 guides
networking • 8 guides

If your Mac is connected to both an Ethernet cable and Wi-Fi, you probably want to use Ethernet by default since it’s generally faster. This short guide will teach you how to prioritize the wired (Ethernet) connection when your Mac is connected to both Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

This approach is better than toggling Wi-Fi off when you connect your Ethernet cable since Wi-Fi is needed for things like unlocking your Mac using your Apple Watch.

1 – Open Network Settings

Open the Network system preferences pane by navigating to Apple Icon > System Preferences > Network.

2 – Access the Service Order pane

Click on the settings “gear” icon and select Set Service Order… from the dropdown menu.

3 – Reorder macOS network services

You’ll see several network devices listed. I use a USB hub with tons of features, so your Ethernet connection might be aliased as “Thunderbolt Ethernet Slot 1” or “Thunderbolt Bridge”.

Either way, drag the Wi-Fi item to the bottom of the list to prioritize it lower than whichever Ethernet device your computer is using.

When you’re done, click OK and then the Apply button.

NEXT UP

How to Disable Local Time Machine Backups in macOS

howchoo   (436)
November 27, 2023

Your Mac has a “feature” that will put time machine backups on your local disk if your primary Time Machine drive isn’t available. I’m not sure the details about how often it writes to your local drive, but I don’t know that you can’t delete it easily. This short guide will show you how to

Continue Reading

howchoo

 436 guides

Introducing Howchoo, an enigmatic author whose unique pen name reflects their boundless curiosity and limitless creativity. Mysterious and multifaceted, Howchoo has emerged as a captivating storyteller, leaving readers mesmerized by the uncharted realms they craft with their words. With an insatiable appetite for knowledge and a love for exploration, Howchoo's writing transcends conventional genres, blurring the lines between fantasy, science fiction, and the surreal. Their narratives are a kaleidoscope of ideas, weaving together intricate plots, unforgettable characters, and thought-provoking themes that challenge the boundaries of imagination.

Discover interesting things!

Explore Howchoo's most popular interests.

Explore