Macos Network Utility: All You Need To Know

The macOS network utility is a tool that allows you to improve the speed of your MacBook’s internet connection. It is a powerful tool with the ability to properly configure your network settings, resolve network issues, and help you enhance your internet experience.

However, this tool has undergone some changes in recent macOS updates and many have been left wondering whether or not it’s still functional. We’ll be answering your questions on Network Utility macOS Monterey, Ventura, and other recent macOS versions as well as how to use it on versions where it still works.

Why Should You Care About MacOS Network Utility?

You should care about MacOS network utility because it is an excellent tool that can enhance your system’s performance. While it has been deprecated on recent macOS versions, such as Monterey and Ventura, it’s still a great tool for performing networking operations.

The app allows you to enjoy a wide range of networking tools, including a graphical user interface that provides you with a port scanner, ping tool, netstat, traceroute, nslookup, finger, and whois tools. You also get general network information as well as data transfer statistics, MAC hardware address, IP address, link speeds, and more information related to your network interface card.

It stayed in the “Applications/Utilities/ folder for a long time before Apple decided to move it to the System folder, where many people found it difficult to access, which in turn made it less popular. However, once you’re able to move it into your Applications folder, you can let it sit on your Launchpad or Dock, search for it using Spotlight, or launch it directly from the Applications folder.

– Usability of Macos Network Utility After the Recent Updates

MacOS network utility Ventura, Big Sur, and Monterey do not work.

If you try to launch the tool on any of these operating systems, you’ll get an error message that says, “Network Utility has been deprecated” then the dialog will suggest that you use the command line or network utility mac terminal equivalent.

– Availability of Network Utility on Mac Big Sur

The deprecated tool still remains in the “System/Library/CoreServices/Applications” folder, but it simply won’t work. Even if you run the default installation of the Network Utility.app on macOS Ventura, Big Sur, and Monterey, you won’t be able to utilize the tool. However, you can try copying the Network Utility.app from a MacBook running an earlier OS, such as Catalina, then install it on your computer and check to see if it’ll work.

If you don’t have an older version of macOS to copy from, such as Mojave and Catalina, the next best thing you can do is to look for a friend, trusted online service, or colleague that has any of these earlier operating systems and download from them. Once you have it on your computer, you’ll need to utilize the codesign command as we’ve described below.

Mac OS Network Utility Replacement

Installing Network Utility on recent macOS is a workaround, and it may not work for you. Also, if you have a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with an M1 or M2 processor, then you’ll need to install Rosetta before being able to use Network Utility on your computer. So as long as you have a Mac that’s powered by Apple Silicon, make sure to first install Rosetta. 

With that said, here’s how to perform Network Utility mac download and codesign it on recent macOS:

1. If you have an Apple Silicon device, first install Rosetta by opening your Terminal and copying and pasting the following command: /usr/sbin/softwareupdate -install-rosetta -agree-to-license.
2. Rosetta will be automatically installed once you hit the enter button.
3. After installing Rosetta, copy the Network Utility tool from any earlier version of Mac, such as Catalina, to your current MacBook.
4. You’ll find Network Utility in the following file directory: /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/.
5. Once you’ve copied the “Network Utility.app” tool, paste it into the Applications folder of your new macOS Big Sur, Ventura, or Monterey.
6. Now, open your Terminal and type in or copy and paste the following command: codesign -f -s – –deep “Applications/Network Utility.app”
7. Once that’s done, launch the Network Utility and check to see if it’s now working properly on your Big Sur, Ventura, or Monterey OS.
8. If this workaround doesn’t work, then you may have to use Mac network utility terminal commands as a replacement.

Getting the Most Out of the MacOS Network Utility

Network Utility can be used to conduct a wide variety of network configurations. You can launch the app in different ways, depending on how it was installed and the macOS version you have on your device. If you have an older macOS version, such as Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion, etc., then you want to search for the app in the “Applications/Utilities/” folder. For newer versions, the app should be in the “/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications /” folder.

You can use Finder to search for the app by entering the file paths mentioned above in Finder. You can also search for the app via Spotlight by pressing the space and command buttons at the same time and entering “Network Utility” in the search box. 

Once you’ve launched the app, you’ll have access to a wide range of tools, including:

– Ping

The ping tool or command allows you to test for the accessibility of a specific IP address. It allows you to test whether you can connect to a second TCP/IP device. You can use the ping feature by clicking on the “Ping” tab in the Network Utility tool and entering the domain name or IP address you want to test.

– Netstat

The netstat command allows you to check for active network connections as well as their statuses. This option is quite useful when you’re troubleshooting connection issues. All you have to do is click on the “Netstat” tab, select the “Options” button, and choose the option you want to check.

– Traceroute

The traceroute command allows you to see the route that packets use to travel from your computer to a specific host. You can use this feature by choosing the “Traceroute” tab in Network Utility and entering the domain name or IP address you’re looking to test.

– Lookup

The lookup command helps you determine the IP address that belongs to a domain name. It can also do this step in reverse, i.e., look for a domain or host through its IP address. You can use this feature by selecting the “Lookup” tab and entering the hostname or IP address you’re looking to resolve.

– Port Scan

If you’re looking for open spots on a specific host, the port scan feature is the tool you want to work with.

You can utilize this tool by choosing the “Port Scan” tab and entering the domain name or IP address you intend to scan.

– Whois

The whois tool is a command that allows you to see the necessary information about an IP address or a domain name. The information you can get includes the domain name, the date it was registered, the name of the registrar, and other important information. You can use the whois tool by choosing the “Whois” tab in Network Utility. Then you enter the IP address or domain name and tap the enter key or select the lookup button.

Conclusion

That’s all on the macOS Network Utility, how to install it on recent macOS versions, and how to use some of its features.

Below is a quick summary to keep in mind when using Network Utility:

• Network Utility is deprecated on newer versions of macOS, including Big Sur, Ventura, and Monterey.
• You may have to install Rosetta if you have an M1 or M2-powered MacBook.
• Apple officially recommends that you use the Terminal for commands that are in Network Utility in recent macOS versions.
• You’ll need to copy the Network Utility.app from an older macOS version to get it working on a newer macOS version.

Note that even after copying the Network Utility app from an older macOS version, installing it on a recent macOS version, and installing Rosetta, you may still be unable to utilize the app. In that case, using the Terminal would be your best bet.