Mac Wi-Fi Diagnostics That
Show You What to Fix

Slow Wi-Fi on MacBook or desktop Macs is usually caused by weak signal, Wi-Fi interference from nearby networks, router issues, or ISP problems. WiFYI helps you identify exactly which layer is causing Mac Wi-Fi problems so you can fix them quickly.

Start by identifying the cause—WiFYI shows whether the problem is signal strength, router, DNS, or ISP. For weak signal, move closer to your router or use Radar Mode to find a better spot. For channel congestion, run a scan and switch to a less crowded channel in your router settings. For a step-by-step breakdown, see our guide to fixing slow Wi-Fi on Mac.

When Wi-Fi keeps dropping on Mac, it's usually due to router instability, channel congestion, or weak signal. WiFYI monitors your connection continuously and pinpoints whether it's your Wi-Fi signal, router, or ISP causing the drops—so you can fix the actual problem. If that is your main symptom, start with our page on Mac Wi-Fi disconnects.

A Wi-Fi connection only means your Mac can reach the router. The problem might be with your router's internet connection, DNS settings, or your ISP. WiFYI separates these layers so you can see exactly where the issue is. See our guide on Mac connected but no internet.

If your Mac Wi-Fi is not working, the issue could be at several layers: your Mac's Wi-Fi adapter, the router, DNS, or your ISP. WiFYI separates these layers in real time, showing you exactly where the connection breaks down—whether it's a signal problem, router issue, or internet outage.

Video calls are sensitive to latency and jitter—even small delays cause choppy audio and frozen video. WiFYI monitors both in real time. If your latency spikes during calls, it's often bufferbloat (your router overwhelmed during uploads). WiFYI's speed test grades your bufferbloat from A to F so you know if that's the issue.

You can hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar to see basic info. For continuous, real-time monitoring with actionable recommendations, WiFYI lives in your menu bar and watches your connection around the clock.

WiFYI includes a built-in Cloudflare-powered speed test that measures download, upload, and baseline latency, then checks how latency changes under both download and upload load. That helps you understand not just how fast your Mac is, but how stable it stays when the connection is busy.

WiFYI scans all nearby networks and shows which channels have the most interference. It recommends the least congested channel for your frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) so you can update your router settings for better performance. For a more focused walkthrough, see how to find the best Wi-Fi channel on Mac.

Bufferbloat is when your router's buffers fill up during heavy traffic, causing massive latency spikes that ruin Zoom calls, gaming, and streaming. WiFYI measures a baseline latency first, samples latency again during download and upload load, and grades each result separately so you can see where the connection starts to fall apart. If you want to dig into the signs and what to test next, read our bufferbloat test guide for Mac.

macOS Wireless Diagnostics (Option-click Wi-Fi icon) gives you a one-time snapshot. WiFYI provides continuous monitoring, tracks history over time, diagnoses problems across network layers (Wi-Fi, router, DNS, ISP), and gives you actionable recommendations.

WiFYI requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel Macs.

Yes. WiFYI supports all modern Wi-Fi standards including Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and works with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It uses your Mac's built-in Wi-Fi adapter.

If your Mac connects to 2.4GHz but ignores 5GHz, the router may not be broadcasting 5GHz, the signal may be too weak, or macOS is choosing 2.4GHz because it seems more stable. WiFYI scans both bands so you can see what's available. Learn more in our 5GHz troubleshooting guide.

No. WiFYI is a one-time purchase of €19. You get the app and all future updates. No subscription, no recurring fees.

macOS location permission lets WiFYI read your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and access point ID (BSSID) locally for diagnostics. WiFYI does not use, store, or send your device location.