How to Turn Off Mac Firewall

Co-authored by Chiara Corsaro

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 Tested

Macintosh computers with OS X have built-in firewalls installed that provide security from potentially harming or malicious incoming connections. The main purpose of the firewall is to prevent or limit access to your computer from other computers and the Internet. In some cases, your Mac firewall will conflict with the firewalls in third-party hardware you may use, requiring you to disable the Mac firewall completely or to modify its settings. Continue reading to learn how to turn off or disable the firewall built into your Mac.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Disable the Firewall on Mac OS X Version 10.6 (Snow Leopard)

1
Click on the Apple menu from your toolbar.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Chiara Corsaro
Certified Apple Technician
Expert Interview. 18 October 2019.}
2
Select System Preferences.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Chiara Corsaro
Certified Apple Technician
Expert Interview. 18 October 2019.}

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3
Choose View, then select Security when the System Preferences window appears on your screen.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Chiara Corsaro
Certified Apple Technician
Expert Interview. 18 October 2019.}
4
Click on the Firewall tab.
5
Select the Stop button to disable your firewall. "Firewall Off" will now be displayed above the button.
6
Configure advanced firewall options if you want to customize your firewall without completely disabling it.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Chiara Corsaro
Certified Apple Technician
Expert Interview. 18 October 2019.}
- Click on the Advanced button under the Firewall tab.
- Place a check mark next to "Block all incoming connections" to block all connections except those that are mandatory for your computer to operate properly.
- The connections your computer will still run are crucial to network configuration services.
- This setting will block and prevent all sharing functions, such as screen sharing and file sharing, which are features built into your Mac's "Sharing System Preferences" pane.
- Place a check mark next to "Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections" if you want to give applications with valid certificates full access to your network at all times. This will eliminate any prompts you receive from these applications requesting permission or authorization.
- Place a check mark next to "Enable stealth mode" to have your computer ignore requests from unauthorized software that try to probe or discover your computer.
- Press the "plus" or "minus" buttons to add or remove specific applications to or from the firewall.
7
Click the "OK" button to save and apply your settings.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Disable the Firewall on Mac OS X Version 10.5 (Leopard)

1
Click on the Apple menu located in the upper left corner of your screen.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Chiara Corsaro
Certified Apple Technician
Expert Interview. 18 October 2019.}
2
Click on System Preferences.
3
Click View and select Security after the System Preferences window appears on the screen.
4
Click on the Firewall tab.
5
Select the radio button next to "Allow all incoming connections" to completely disable the firewall.
- Select the radio button next to "Set access for specific services and applications" to block all incoming connections with the exception of trusted services and applications.
- Select the radio button next to "Allow only essential services" to block all connections except those needed by your computer in order to function normally.
6
Click on "OK" to apply and save your settings.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Disable the Firewall on Mac OS X Version 10.4 (Tiger)

1
Open the Apple menu in the upper left of your screen by clicking on the Apple icon.
2
Choose System Preferences.
3
Click on View, then click on Security when System Preferences opens.
4
Select the Firewall tab.
5
Disable your firewall by clicking the Stop button. "Firewall Off" will now be displayed above the button.
- Add or remove specific applications in the firewall by clicking on the Services and Firewall tabs.
- Place check marks, or click to remove check marks, next to applications or services you want to enable or disable on the firewall.
- If a service or port is not available on the list, click on the "New" button, then click on the "Other" button to manually type in the exact port number.
6
Click on the "OK" button to save your preferences.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can I turn Mac Firewall on in the same menu?

Chiara Corsaro
Phone & Computer Repair Technician
Chiara Corsaro is the General Manager and Apple Certified Mac & iOS Technician for macVolks, Inc., an Apple Authorized Service Provider located in the San Francisco Bay Area. macVolks, Inc. was founded in 1990, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating, and is part of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).

Chiara Corsaro

Phone & Computer Repair Technician

Expert Answer

Yes, you turn the Firewall on and off in the same Security and Privacy menu.