Docked laptop uses network adapter 'Thunderbolt Bridge' - Can I force 'Wi-Fi'

[Trevor]

If I plug my laptop into my iMac to use the screen, the network adapter switches to  'Thunderbolt Bridge' and I stop capturing HTTP traffic.

Is it possible to configure Fiddler to always use 'Wi Fi' (which does capture HTTP traffic), so when I plug my laptop in, Fiddler continues to see traffic on the laptops internet connection?

 

(I created the shell file you suggested in your article 'Troubleshooting macOS Proxy Settings and Network Access' to determine the network adapter)

 

 

[Nick Iliev]

Hello Trevor,

 

Fiddler Everywhere can't explicitly select a network adapter (we are planning on adding this functionality in the future) and, by design, will try to use the first active network adapter. However, as macOS can show several active and connected network adapters at the exact moment, that might cause an issue where Fiddler Everywhere is not set up as an HTTP/HTTPS proxy on the network adapter that is actually in use.

To resolve the above, do the following:

- Stop Fiddler Everywhere's system capturing (Live traffic toggle) and close the application.

- Change the order of the connected adapters through the macOS network settings (through drag and drop). Ensure your WiFi adapter is on top of the list of active network adapters. Learn how to do that here...

 

Instructions for changing the adapter priority on macOS 13 Ventura

1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Network in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
2. Click the Action pop-up menu  on the right, then choose Set Service Order.
3. Drag services into the order you want.
4. Click OK.


Instructions on changing the adapter priority on macOS 12 Monterey

1.On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Network .
2. Click the Action pop-up menu , then choose Set Service Order.
3. Drag services into the order you want.
4. Click OK, then click Apply to make the new settings active.

 

- Restart the Fiddler Everywhere application and enable the system capturing (Live traffic toggle).

If the above steps do not solve your issue, disconnect the Thunderbolt adapter and leave only your WiFi adapter connected. Note that if you would like to use your Thunderbolt adapter later, you will need to add it again.

I hope the above will help you solve your issue, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have more questions or need additional information.

 

 

Regards,
Nick Iliev
Progress Telerik

[Trevor]

Hello Nick

That has fixed the problem. 

Thank you very much for your swift reply!

Trevor