Is it possible to force two computers to use Thunderbolt, not Wifi

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380 points

Is it possible to force two computers to use Thunderbolt, not Wifi

I have a late 2103 iMac connected via a Thunderbolt cable to a 2014 Mac Mini. Under System Preferences > Network on both computers I have set the service order with Thunderbolt Bridge on top. But, every time I connect the two computers, the connection defaults to Wifi. If I turn Wifi off first, the connection is via Thunderbolt.

The iMac is running Mavericks; the MacMini Catalina.

How do I force the connection to be Thunderbolt?

Inside Network, amongst all those DHPC, DNS Servers, Subnet Masks, and about 35 other complicated looking names, is there something easy I can do that tells my iMac: "Hey, I only want to connect to the Mac Mini via Thunderbolt. I'd rather not connect if it's with Wifi !"

Mac mini

Posted on Nov 5, 2024 9:15 PM

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Answer 1

Guy Burns Author

Level 2

380 points

Nov 5, 2024 9:41 PM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks for the link, but I'd already been there.

Is there a simple answer to this question: can I force the use of Thunderbolt, even if I have to delve into all those DNS-type things, and maybe giving the Mac Mini a name, or a setting, or something, so that when I connect to it, my iMac uses Thunderbolt and not Wifi.

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Answer 2

Nov 5, 2024 10:59 PM in response to Guy Burns

That article is how this is supposed to work, though IP routing, DNS, mDNS, and DHCP will need to be correct.

But… You’re not going to avoid delving.

Try both DHCP and manual settings for the IP addresses used for the Thunderbolt link, and probably those from a private subnet different from the private subnet the rest of your network is using.

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Answer 3

Nov 5, 2024 9:26 PM in response to Guy Burns

Start here, if you’ve not already skimmed it: Use IP over Thunderbolt to connect Mac computers - Apple Support

You’ll need other network connections for other necessary services.

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