Mac OS – An application has no access to internet

Problem

A Mac user encounters a problem where a particular application does not have access to Internet.  Other applications do have Internet access. 

Applies to

Mac OS

Detail

Many modern applications rely on an active internet connection for some of their functionality, if the Mac OS firewall or a third party equivalent is active, their incoming connections may be blocked so they stop working as expected. 

Resolution

The problem may be due to active Mac OS firewall, you can add the application to the list of applications allowed through it.

1. Click Apple Symbol > System Settings.
2. In the new window click search and enter the word firewall, then click Network.
   
3. On the right hand pane of the window click the arrow to the right of Firewall entry.
4. The firewall should dhow its state as being turned on already.
5. Then click Options button, on the next window.  A list of applications that are allowed communication through the firewall are displayed.
   
6. Scroll down through the list to check if the installed app is listed.  if there is a green dot to the right and Allow Incoming Connection is displayed skip the rest of these instructions, you may need to check if a third party security tool is preventing the app communication.
   
7. If the application you need is not listed click the Plus sign button at the bottom left of the list, then scroll through the list of available apps to select it in the Applications folder and click Open.  The application  will be added with allowing incoming connections.
8. If the application is listed but there is a red dot click the arrows to the right of Block Incoming Connections and then select Allow Incoming Connections and then close the window.
9. Close and restart the application and check if it now works as expected.
   

Note

On some earlier versions of Mac OS System Settings may be replaced by System Preferences.

• Related Articles

• Check MacBook CPU task status on Mac OS

  Information Below steps for checking task status on Mac OS Application • Use these steps for when a MacBook is particularly slow • Use these steps if the MacBook is becoming excessively warm or fan noise is high. Preparation • Plug in your MacBook if ...

• Mac OS – Check if user can administer their Mac

  Problem A customer is unable to install or modify settings in Mac OS and needs to check if they have the correct permission. Resolution Users can generally be set up as able to administer their Mac os be set up with limited access. If the Mac in ...

• Mac OS - Trashed files do not empty

  Problem When A Mac user tries to empty their trash store. Either the trash fails to empty so there are always items left there or the operation produces error message. Applies to Macbook Mac Resolution You can force delete of trash files if there was ...

• Mac OS – Control update behaviour

  Problem A Mac user would like to be in control of how and when the Mac OS operating system is updated to preserve software compatibility. Resolution Under default settings Mac OS will push major updates and interim security updates. In some ...

• Macbook - Checking battery health

  Problem A Macbook laptop is experiencing reduced battery uptime or is draining abnormally quickly. Note The internal rechargeable Macbook battery is covered under Apple's warranty for the first year. Rechargeable batteries are subject to ageing ...