Disable Mac Wi-Fi Adapter When Ethernet Cable Is Plugged In

I usually work on my wireless network at home, but I have a firewall set up to be administered by Ethernet only. I typically turn off my computer's wireless adapter when connecting to the firewall to prevent creating a network bridge, but I sometimes forget when in a hurry. Is there any way to automatically disable the wireless adapter on a Mac when an Ethernet cable is plugged in? Windows computers can do this in the registry or the BIOS, but I have not found a solution for the Mac. I understand the network adapter service order can be changed to prioritize the Ethernet connection over the wireless. Still, I do not want multiple simultaneous network connections active when operating on the firewall's administration network. I want to ensure that the firewall's administrative network is not compromised accidentally or intentionally. Thank you in advance for your technical responses.

Posted on Jun 23, 2023 11:22 AM

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Jun 23, 2023 12:50 PM in response to ku4hx

It's a matter of it being a problem, it's a security issue of creating an unmanaged bridge between networks with different security zones. This is not just an issue at home but also at the office. The wireless network is internet-only but allows guests and IoT devices. The corporate network is wired, so connecting the Ethernet cable in the office while connected to Wi-Fi can create an unmanaged bridge between the two.


There is an app in the App Store named BridgeChecker, but it costs almost $50. There is also a bash script on Github that does not work with macOS Ventura 13. There must be a simpler way to accomplish this task.

Jun 23, 2023 1:48 PM in response to JamesWix

packets going toward the Internet are always sent to the TOPMOST, Working interface shown is


system preferences > network.


if you have set service order to make Ethernet TOPMOST, then that is where Internet traffic is going, provided it is also Working. wi-fi will not be used for Internet traffic in that case. Wi-Fi can still provide [already-derived] location information, unless disabled.



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Disable Mac Wi-Fi Adapter When Ethernet Cable Is Plugged In

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