privacy-guides/how-to-disable-ipv6-on-ios-cellular-only-and-macos-and-why-it-s-a-big-deal-for-privacy/README.md

<!--
Title: How to disable IPv6 on iOS (cellular-only) and macOS and why it’s a big deal for privacy
Description: Learn how to disable IPv6 on iOS (cellular-only) and macOS and why it’s a big deal for privacy.
Author: Sun Knudsen <https://github.com/sunknudsen>
Contributors: Sun Knudsen <https://github.com/sunknudsen>
Reviewers:
Publication date: 2020-07-18T10:28:23.605Z
-->

# How to disable IPv6 on iOS (cellular-only) and macOS and why it’s a big deal for privacy

[![How to disable IPv6 on iOS (cellular only) and macOS and why it’s a big deal for privacy - YouTube](how-to-disable-ipv6-on-ios-cellular-only-and-macos-and-why-it-s-a-big-deal-for-privacy.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzx9T7GtmT4 "How to disable IPv6 on iOS (cellular only) and macOS and why it’s a big deal for privacy - YouTube")

> Heads up: unfortunately this guide will not work on carriers or ISPs that have migrated their networks to IPv6-only.

## iOS guide

### Step 1 (on Mac): download and open [Apple Configurator 2](https://support.apple.com/apple-configurator)

### Step 2 (on Mac): create new profile using <kbd>cmd + n</kbd>

### Step 3 (on Mac): configure "General" settings

![apple-configurator-general](./apple-configurator-general.png?shadow=1)

### Step 4 (on iPhone): find APN settings

Open "Settings", then "Cellular", then "Cellular Data Network".

![ios-cellular-data-network](./ios-cellular-data-network.png?shadow=1&width=240)

### Step 5 (on Mac): configure "Cellular" settings

![apple-configurator-cellular](./apple-configurator-cellular.png?shadow=1)

### Step 6 (on Mac): save provisioning profile

### Step 7 (on Mac): connect iPhone to Mac

### Step 8 (on Mac): double-click on iPhone

![apple-configurator-iphone](./apple-configurator-iphone.png?shadow=1)

### Step 9 (on Mac): click on "Profile" tab, then "Add Profiles...", select saved provisioning profile and click "Add"

![apple-configurator-add-profile](./apple-configurator-add-profile.png?shadow=1)

### Step 10 (on iPhone): review profile

Open "Settings", then "Profile Downloaded" and tap "Install"

![ios-install-profile](./ios-install-profile.png?shadow=1&width=240)

## macOS guide

### Step 1: list network interfaces

```console
$ networksetup -listallnetworkservices
An asterisk (*) denotes that a network service is disabled.
Wi-Fi
iPhone USB
Thunderbolt Ethernet
```

### Step 2: disable IPv6

> Heads up: use network interfaces found in [step 1](#step-1-list-network-interfaces) (most computers only have `Wi-Fi` interface)

```shell
networksetup -setv6off "Wi-Fi"
networksetup -setv6off "iPhone USB"
networksetup -setv6off "Thunderbolt Ethernet"
```

---

## Want things back the way they were before following this guide? No problem!

### Step 1 (on iPhone): remove provisioning profile

Open "Settings", then "General", then "Profile", and tap provisioning profile, then "Remove Profile".

![ios-remove-profile](./ios-remove-profile.png?shadow=1&width=240)

### Step 2 (on Mac): set network interfaces to automatic

```shell
networksetup -setv6automatic "Wi-Fi"
networksetup -setv6automatic "iPhone USB"
networksetup -setv6automatic "Thunderbolt Ethernet"
```