Identify network settings on Mac
Help users identify common network settings on Mac when they’re new to macOS. Understanding these settings helps you resolve connectivity issues quickly and get users back to work.
Understand network connection status
When you view Network settings, status indicators appear below each service name to help you quickly identify connection issues:
Green: The service is active (turned on) and connected to the network.
Yellow: The service is active but not connected. This typically indicates the interface is enabled but cannot establish a connection.
Red: The service has not been set up properly or requires configuration.
Gray (dimmed): The service is turned off or unavailable.
These status indicators help you quickly identify where connectivity issues might be occurring and direct your support efforts accordingly.
Common network interfaces
Common network interfaces include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth Personal Hotspot, or Thunderbolt to connect Mac to a network that provides access to the internet:
Wi-Fi: Users can configure their Apple devices to join available Wi-Fi networks automatically. For Wi-Fi networks that require login credentials or other information, users can quickly access Wi-Fi settings and enter the credentials or use a configuration profile that contains the network name and login credentials.
Ethernet: To use a wired connection to the network, connect an Ethernet cable between the router or modem and the Ethernet port on a Mac. If a user’s Mac doesn’t have an Ethernet port, use a Thunderbolt or USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Bluetooth Personal Hotspot: Users can connect their Mac to the Personal Hotspot on their iPhone or iPad using Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi. Both devices must have Bluetooth turned on.
Common network types
Apple devices can connect to a range of Wi-Fi networks. Users can configure Apple devices to join available Wi-Fi networks automatically. For Wi-Fi networks that require login credentials or other information, users can quickly access Wi-Fi settings and enter the credentials or use a configuration profile that contains the network name and login credentials.
Here are the three common network types that users can encounter:
Public or open network: This type of Wi-Fi network is the most common. It often doesn’t require a password and is relatively easy to join. A VPN service can protect sensitive content if users need to access their organization’s network on a public network.
Private or secured network: This type of Wi-Fi network is common in homes or organizations where network access needs to be restricted. It usually requires a password to join.
Captive or subscription network: This type of Wi-Fi network is common in hotels and airports. It typically requires some form of authentication, payment, or access code to join. Users may need to enter credentials or acknowledge terms and conditions in a login screen that appears automatically.
About network locations on Mac
Network locations are profiles that store different network settings, like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, proxies, and DNS. Users switch between them for different environments. Locations are ideal for users who connect to different networks regularly and require specific configurations for each.
Switching between sets of network settings (locations) can be useful in circumstances like these:
A Mac is experiencing network connectivity issues, and you want to quickly reset network settings for testing purposes, without losing current network settings.
A user uses the same network service (like Wi-Fi or Ethernet) at work and at home, but the network settings at work don’t allow their Mac to automatically connect to the same type of network at home.
A user’s Mac connects to more than one network service (like both Wi-Fi and Ethernet) at work and at home. At work, the user wants their Mac to try connecting to the Ethernet network first. At home, they want it to try connecting to the Wi-Fi network first. In other words, they want a different service order for each location.
View network settings on a Mac
On the Mac, have the user choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar.
View Wi-Fi settings on a Mac
On the Mac, have the user choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Wi-Fi in the sidebar.
Add or remove a network location
On the Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar.
From the Action pop-up menu below the list of services, select Locations > Edit Locations.
Click the Add button below the list of locations, then type a name for the new location, like Work, Home, or Mobile. To remove a location, use the remove button.
Click Done.
Any changes made now make to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or other network settings will be saved to the new location. The network settings in the previous location remain unchanged and can be switched back to at any time.
To save the changes and complete the switch to the new location, exit Network settings or quit System Settings.
Switch between network locations
Do one of the following:
On the Mac, choose Apple menu > Location from the menu bar, then choose a location from the submenu. This option appears only when there is more than one location in Network settings.
Use the Location menu in Network settings, as described above.
Change network service order
If a user connects to the internet through different methods—like Wi-Fi and Ethernet—you can adjust the priority of these network services. macOS tries to use the network service at the top of the list first and then moves down the list if the higher-priority connection isn’t available. VPN connections always take precedence over regular connections, and their order can’t be changed manually.
Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar.
From the Action pop-up menu below the list of services, select Set Service Order.
Drag the services in the order the user wants them, then click Ok.
Make a network service inactive
This task ensures that the Mac doesn’t use a particular network service in a specific network location.
Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar.
Control-click the active network service, then choose Make Service Inactive.