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macOS Network Monitor: How to Check Your Network Activity

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macOS Network Monitor: How to Check Your Network Activity

Monitoring your network activity on a Mac can help you diagnose slow internet, check which apps are using data, or simply keep an eye on your connection. Luckily, macOS comes with built-in tools that make this process easy — no complicated software required.

Why Monitor Network Activity?

There are many reasons why you might want to monitor your network:

  • Identify apps using too much bandwidth.
  • Troubleshoot slow Wi-Fi or network drops.
  • Check for unusual or suspicious network activity.

Built-In macOS Network Monitoring Tools

1. Activity Monitor (Network Tab)

The Activity Monitor is like Task Manager for macOS and comes with a dedicated Network tab.

  • Open Activity Monitor (use Cmd + Space and search for it).
  • Click the Network tab to see which apps are sending or receiving data.
  • You’ll see information like data sent/received and number of packets.

This is perfect for quickly spotting which apps are eating up your bandwidth.

2. Network Utility (Terminal Tools)

Older macOS versions included Network Utility, but it’s now removed in newer releases. Instead, you can use Terminal commands:

  • netstat – Displays network connections and routing tables.
  • ping website – Tests the connection to a website or server.
  • lsof -i – Shows which processes are connected to the internet.

3. Control Center Wi-Fi Details

Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the top menu bar and select your network. You’ll see basic information like your IP address and connection speed.

Third-Party Network Monitoring Apps

If you want advanced monitoring, you can try tools like:

  • iStat Menus – Shows live network stats in the menu bar.
  • Little Snitch – Monitors outgoing and incoming connections with full control.
  • Wireshark – Advanced packet analysis (for power users).

Tips for Smooth Network Performance

  • Close apps you’re not using that consume data.
  • Restart your router occasionally to clear network congestion.
  • Use wired Ethernet for more stable connections when possible.

Conclusion

Monitoring network activity on macOS doesn’t have to be complicated. With built-in tools like Activity Monitor and a few simple Terminal commands, you can quickly find out what’s going on with your network. For more control, third-party apps offer detailed insights and alerts.