How to unblock Firewall on Mac

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu

   
    > System Settings, click Network
   in the sidebar, then click Firewall. (You may need to scroll down.)
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   • Why can't I turn off firewall on Mac?
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   • Is it good to turn on firewall on Mac?

   Open Network settings for me

2. Click Options.

   If the Options button is disabled, first turn on Firewall.

3. Click the Add button

   under the list of services, then select the services or apps you want to add. After an app is added, click its up and down arrows
   and choose whether to allow or block connections through the firewall.

   Blocking an app’s access through the firewall could interfere with or affect the performance of the app or other software that may depend on it.

   Important: Certain apps that don’t appear in the list may have access through the firewall. These can include system apps, services and processes, as well as digitally signed apps that are opened automatically by other apps. To block access for these programs, add them to the list.

   When your Mac detects an attempt to connect to an app you haven’t added to the list and given access to, an alert message appears asking if you want to allow or deny the connection over the network or internet. Turn on the firewall on your Mac to prevent unwanted connections from the internet or other networks.

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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.

1. 

   1

   Click on the Apple menu from your toolbar.[1]

2. 2

   Select System Preferences.[2]

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3. 3

   Choose View, then select Security when the System Preferences window appears on your screen.[3]

4. 4

   Click on the Firewall tab.

5. 5

   Select the Stop button to disable your firewall. "Firewall Off" will now be displayed above the button.

6. 6

   Configure advanced firewall options if you want to customize your firewall without completely disabling it.[4]

   • 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. 7

   Click the "OK" button to save and apply your settings.

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1. 1

   Click on the Apple menu located in the upper left corner of your screen.[5]

2. 2

   Click on System Preferences.

3. 3

   Click View and select Security after the System Preferences window appears on the screen.

4. 4

   Click on the Firewall tab.

5. 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. 6

   Click on "OK" to apply and save your settings.

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1. 1

   Open the Apple menu in the upper left of your screen by clicking on the Apple icon.

2. 2

   Choose System Preferences.

3. 3

   Click on View, then click on Security when System Preferences opens.

4. 4

   Select the Firewall tab.

5. 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. 6

   Click on the "OK" button to save your preferences.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Can I turn Mac Firewall on in the same menu?

  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).

  Phone & Computer Repair Technician

  Expert Answer

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

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 312,198 times.

Is this article up to date?

Why can't I turn off firewall on Mac?

Why is firewall turned off on Mac?

Does clean my Mac have a firewall?

Is it good to turn on firewall on Mac?