Wireless / WiFi packet capture (pcap / pcapng) on macOS

Wireless / WiFi packet capture (pcap / pcapng) on macOS

1. Hold down the Option key, click the Wi-Fi icon in the Mac menu bar, then choose “Open Wireless Diagnostics.”

2. In the Mac menu bar, click the “Window” menu and select “Sniffer.”

3. The Sniffer opens with the channel and channel width automatically set based on your current connection, or defaults to Channel 1 and 20 MHz if unavailable. You can adjust these settings as desired.

4. macOS will ask for your password; admin rights are required to run the sniffer. You’ll see the Wi-Fi icon change to one with an eye, indicating the Wireless NIC is in monitor mode and capturing packets.