Useful macOS defaults: Network Browser

com.apple.NetworkBrowser controls how your Mac discovers and displays network devices in Finder and other apps.

AirDrop over Ethernet

AirDrop normally works only over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. On older macOS versions, you could force AirDrop to work over wired Ethernet too:

defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces -bool true

This made AirDrop visible on Macs connected by Ethernet even without Wi-Fi. On modern macOS, AirDrop handles this better on its own, but the setting can still help in some setups.

To turn it off:

defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces -bool false

After changing this, restart Finder:

killall Finder

Read current Network Browser settings

defaults read com.apple.NetworkBrowser

Notes

Network discovery on macOS relies on mDNSResponder (Bonjour) for finding printers, file shares, and other services. The Network Browser settings control the user-facing discovery interface, not the underlying Bonjour system.

If network devices are not showing up in Finder's sidebar under Locations, check that the devices are on the same network and that your firewall is not blocking Bonjour traffic (port 5353).

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