How can I combine Ethernet and 4G / 5G dongle on a Mac?

This article explains how to use Speedify on your Mac to combine a wired Ethernet connection with a 4G/5G cellular dongle for faster upload and download speeds and a more reliable internet connection.

What You'll Need

  • A Mac with a built-in Ethernet port, or a USB to Ethernet adapter, or a Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet adapter
  • A 4G/5G cellular USB dongle with an active data plan
  • An Ethernet cable
  • Speedify installed on your Mac

Let's Get Started

Step 1: Connect Your Mac to Ethernet

Connect an Ethernet cable between your router or modem and the Ethernet port on your Mac. In most cases, your Mac will connect to the internet automatically.

If your Mac doesn't have a built-in Ethernet port, you can use a USB to Ethernet adapter or a Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet adapter instead.

To confirm the connection is active, open System Settings, click Network, and look for your Ethernet connection listed on the left with a green status indicator.

Need help with this step? Visit Apple's knowledge base to learn more.

Step 2: Connect Your 4G / 5G Cellular Dongle

Note: Before purchasing or connecting a cellular USB dongle, verify that it is compatible with macOS and that your data plan supports it. Some dongles require additional drivers or proprietary dialer software from the carrier or manufacturer before your Mac can use them to connect to the internet.

Plug your 4G/5G cellular USB dongle into an available USB port on your Mac. If the dongle requires dialer software, launch it and follow the on-screen instructions to establish a cellular connection. If the dongle connects automatically, macOS will recognize it as a new network interface.

To confirm the dongle is connected, open System Settings, click Network, and look for your dongle listed as a second active connection alongside your Ethernet connection.

Step 3: Download and Install Speedify

Download and install Speedify on your Mac if you haven't already. Once Speedify is running, it will automatically detect both your Ethernet connection and your 4G/5G cellular dongle and begin combining them. No manual configuration is needed.

Did you know - Speedify's Pair & Share feature lets you share your internet connections with other Speedify users on the same local network. Learn more about Pair & Share.