---
title: "Set the network service order on a Mac (Wi-Fi vs Ethernet) · Kilobat Guides"
url: "https://kilobat.app/guides/network-service-order"
description: "Your Mac uses Wi-Fi when Ethernet is connected, or a phone over USB. Set the service order so the Mac uses the connection you want."
---

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

1. Show the service order.

   ```
   networksetup -listnetworkserviceorder
   ```
2. Show the interface that the default route uses now.

   ```
   route -n get default
   ```

   Output The `gateway` and the `interface`, for example `en0`.
3. Find the device name of each network port, for example `en0` for Wi-Fi.

   ```
   networksetup -listallhardwareports
   ```

## How to fix it

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network.
2. Click the Action pop-up menu, then choose Set Service Order.
3. Drag the services into the order that you want. Click OK.
4. 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.
5. Run `route -n get default` again to see the new interface.

## With Kilobat

1. `why` names the interface that a connection uses, such as Wi-Fi or a VPN. It tries each interface.

   ```
   kilobat why example.com
   ```
2. 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](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-order-network-services-mac-mchlp2711/mac)
- 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.

## Related guides

- [See Mac network settings in Terminal](https://kilobat.app/guides/network-settings-terminal): macOS includes command-line tools that show the same network settings as System Settings, and more.
- [Connect a Mac to an iPhone hotspot with a USB cable](https://kilobat.app/guides/usb-tethering-iphone-mac): A USB cable gives a Mac the iPhone's internet connection and charges the iPhone.
- [Mac does not detect a USB or Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter](https://kilobat.app/guides/ethernet-adapter-not-detected): A USB or Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter must appear as a hardware port and as a network service.
- [VPN connected but no internet on a Mac](https://kilobat.app/guides/vpn-connected-no-internet): A VPN sends traffic through a tunnel.