Make your Mac prefer Ethernet over Wi-Fi (service order) — via Apple Support

Hidden settinglow riskmacOS 14 Sonoma and later

When both Ethernet and Wi-Fi are connected, macOS uses whichever is at the top of its service order. If your Mac keeps sending traffic over Wi-Fi while plugged in, change the order so the faster wired link always wins.

Takes effect right away

How to do it

Open System Settings > Network.
Click the … (Action) pop-up menu at the bottom of the list and choose Set Service Order.
Drag the services into the order you want (for example Ethernet or a USB/Thunderbolt adapter above Wi-Fi), then click OK.

VPN connections can't be reordered; they always take priority over non-VPN connections.

Sources

Change the order of network services on Mac — by Apple Support

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every macOS version, so keep the undo handy.

ethernetwi-fiservice ordernetwork prioritywired

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