Seeking a tested Thunderbolt/USB-C Wi-Fi adapter for macOS Ventura on MacBook Pro

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Seeking a tested Thunderbolt/USB-C Wi-Fi adapter for macOS Ventura on MacBook Pro

Hi,

Recently had my mid-2017 Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch repaired after damage to the machine, but due to the considerable expense of repair I elected not to get the built-in Wi-Fi repaired and have no plans to (already spent more than I want to relative to how much the machine is worth); i.e., the built-in Wi-Fi is physically damaged, no longer operable, and the Wi-Fi PHY device no longer even shows up at all in _ifconfig_(1) (so please no replies to the effect of “Have you tried following Apple’s troubleshooting procedure for configuring your Wi-Fi network in System Settings,” etc.).

Been using a USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter and connecting to the Internet via a wired Ethernet connection which is blazingly fast, but will soon need to use the machine at work where all I have access to is the warehouse’s Wi-Fi network.

Does anyone know of a Thunderbolt or USB-C Wi-Fi adapter/dongle that has been tested and confirmed to work with macOS Ventura? And yes I am aware of the numerous other posts on here to the effect of “use a portable Wi-Fi range extender/bridge with an Ethernet port and then connect an Ethernet cable from that to your USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter,” etc., which I am trying to avoid due to the bulk of carrying all those extra three components around with me as I walk around the floor carrying my MacBook Pro in hand, not stationary at a fixed desk, so please spare me replies to that effect lol.

Was wondering if anyone has gotten a Thunderbolt or USB-C Wi-Fi adapter to work with macOS Ventura before I resort to going the route of https://github.com/chris1111/Wireless-USB-Big-Sur-Adapter

Thanks so much in advance and really ’preciate it

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Apr 5, 2025 9:14 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

143,683 points

Apr 6, 2025 6:16 AM in response to powerpcg5

there was a Mass Extinction event when Catalina required all Driver software to be 64 bit. Readers here have not identified ANY Wi-Fi adapters whose software has continued to work across that boundary.

We did identify one very compact Ethernet WiFi adapter that would not be very bulky with a very short Ethernet cable, and a USB cable for power. (it can run off USB power if you like, -- it does not require the power brick.)

https://iogear.com/products/gwu637

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Answer 2

powerpcg5 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 20, 2025 7:28 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Well, since I had no other choice I finally got the IOGEAR GWU637 Ethernet-to-Wi-Fi adapter; not very happy with the physical setup as now whenever I have to walk around with my MacBook Pro at work (and don’t have access to a wired Ethernet connection) I also have to carry around a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adapter, an Ethernet RJ45 patch cable, this IOGEAR GWU637 Ethernet-to-Wi-Fi adapter, and a USB-C cable to power it (the IOGEAR GWU637) off a second Thunderbolt port on my MacBook Pro, _i.e._, four bulky, discrete components dangling off my MacBook Pro that, due to their basically forming a loop between the two Thunderbolt ports they have to be plugged into at the same time, frustratingly get caught and snag on stuff while walking around carrying it that on a Windows laptop could all be replaced with a single compact 3/4"×1/2" USB-C Wi-Fi dongle for $14.99 off Amazon. But props to ATEN because their IOGEAR GWU637 works (though it runs hot making me a little concerned about its MTBF not to mention its power drain on my MacBook Pro’s battery).

’preciate it, Grant

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Answer 3

Apr 20, 2025 7:58 AM in response to powerpcg5

look at this photo for ideas about attaching all that dangly stuff to the back cover. the photo is of an external drive.

Also, really short Ethernet patch cables and really short USB cables can be found it you shop for them.

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Seeking a tested Thunderbolt/USB-C Wi-Fi adapter for macOS Ventura on MacBook Pro

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