Connecting a 4G / 5G USB Dongle on macOS

This article explains how to connect a 4G/5G USB dongle to your Mac so you can use it as an internet connection.

What You'll Need

A 4G/5G USB dongle with an active cellular data plan

Note: macOS can be restrictive when it comes to adding new network connections. Some users may run into issues getting their dongle recognized. If your dongle does not appear as a network interface option, contact your network adapter manufacturer for further support.

Let's Get Started

Step 1

Plug your 4G/5G LTE dongle into a USB port on your Mac. Then, open System Preferences and select Network.

Click the + icon at the bottom of the connection list to create a new service. A New Service pop-up will appear. Under the Interface drop-down, select your 4G/5G/LTE dongle, then click Create.

Note: You can customize the Service Name to anything you like. The name of your dongle under the Interface menu may also look different from what is shown here, depending on your device and manufacturer. If you're not sure which interface to select, or if no mobile network adapter appears in the list, contact your dongle manufacturer or your cellular internet service provider.

Step 2

After creating the service, check the connection list on the left side of the Network window. Your 4G/5G dongle should show a Connected status. This confirms your Mac is set up to use the dongle as an internet connection.

Did you know - Speedify can combine your 4G/5G cellular connection with any other available connection, like Wi-Fi, for faster upload and download speeds on your Mac? Learn how Speedify works.