Set Service Order to Use Ethernet & Wi-Fi in macOSįor our example, we’re using a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt 3 Dock that has wired gigabit Ethernet. By setting the correct service order, you can ensure that your Mac will always connect to the network via the appropriate method. You might connect to a wired Ethernet connection at work, a Bluetooth-enabled iPhone tether while on the road, and a Wi-Fi network at home. This is useful because network conditions change, especially for mobile devices like MacBooks. When you set the service order and your Mac tries to make a network connection, it will start at the top of the list and automatically work its way down until it makes a successful connection. It’s an ordered list of all currently available connections regardless of status.

The Service Order (also known as port priority) in macOS tells your Mac how to prioritize these network connections. For example, an iMac could have a Wi-Fi connection, a wired Ethernet connection, a Bluetooth connection paired with an iPhone, and an additional Ethernet connection via a Thunderbolt adapter. Your Mac can connect to various types of network connections, often connecting via multiple connections simultaneously. Understanding Network Service Order in macOS The steps here will tell your Mac to prioritize the Ethernet connection for your normal network activities, but this won’t help if you’re in an environment that simply doesn’t have Wi-Fi. First, we should note that you still need to have a Wi-Fi network for your Mac, iOS devices, and Apple Watch to connect to.

Mac ethernet connection