IP, routing and IPv6

Mac uses the wrong network connection

When more than one connection is active, the Mac tries the service at the top of the list first. You can change this order.

Applies to: macOS 13 Ventura and later for the System Settings steps. The Terminal commands work on all current macOS versions.Checked: 29 October 2026

Symptoms

The Mac uses Wi-Fi when an Ethernet cable is connected.
Traffic goes through a phone connected by USB, not through the home network.
Speed changes when you connect or disconnect a dock.

Likely causes

The service order. Apple says that the Mac tries the service at the top of the list first, then the others in order.
A new service at the top. A dock, adapter or phone adds a new service, and it can go above the one you want.
A VPN. VPN connections take priority over other connections. You cannot change their order.

How to check

Show the service order.
```
networksetup -listnetworkserviceorder
```
Show the interface that the default route uses now.
```
route -n get default
```
Output The gateway and the interface, for example en0.
Find the device name of each network port, for example en0 for Wi-Fi.
```
networksetup -listallhardwareports
```

How to fix it

Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network.
Click the Action pop-up menu, then choose Set Service Order.
Drag the services into the order that you want. Click OK.
In Terminal, give every service name in the new order. Get the names with networksetup -listallnetworkservices.
```
networksetup -ordernetworkservices "Ethernet" "Wi-Fi" "Thunderbolt Bridge"
```
Needs an administrator password.
Run route -n get default again to see the new interface.

With Kilobat

why names the interface that a connection uses, such as Wi-Fi or a VPN. It tries each interface.
```
kilobat why example.com
```
Show the counters of each interface, with VPN interfaces marked.
```
kilobat interfaces
```

Questions

Can I put a VPN lower in the list?

No. Apple says that VPN connections already take priority over other connections.

Does the Mac use two connections at once?

Most traffic uses the default route of the first active service. Other services stay ready.

Sources

Apple Support: Change the order of the network services your Mac uses
networksetup(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2
route(8), man page installed with macOS 27.2

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. Man pages are the ones installed with macOS; open one with man <name> in Terminal.