How to use Apple’s secret internet speed check on Mac & iOS

Searching for a speed test? You already have one…

Your Apple device has a hidden internet speed checking tool that’s available to you in two ways: through Terminal on macOS Monterey or later 0r through a specific developer-only web page on iPhone/iPad.

What Apple Network Responsiveness does

The tool is called Apple Network Responsiveness. It looks at your network and tests your internet connection.

The results let you assess upload and download speeds and provide you with some idea as to how responsive your network is. A more responsive network is what everyone needs, of course. The data is presented as Low, Medium, and High.

This information may help you figure out what the problems are when you are attempting to improve a poor connection.

The idea is that the test measures the responsiveness of a network and shows you how well it can multitask when multiple devices and apps are sharing the network all at once.

Apple primarily designed this test for developers, but it should be of use to anyone attempting to optimize their network connection.

How to use Apple Network Responsiveness on your Mac

On your Mac, the test is available in Terminal, which you’ll find in the Utilities folder in Applications. The fastest way to open Terminal is to type Command-Space and begin typing Terminal. Eventually the application icon will appear underneath the search field and just tap Return to open Terminal up.

[Also read: How to translate text everywhere with iPhones, iPads, Macs]

With Terminal open, just type the following:

• networkQuality
• Press Enter
• The test will begin.

After around 15-seconds you’ll be presented with a summary of test results. These will detail both the upload and download speeds you are getting with your Mac on the network, and will also provide an assessment of network responsiveness.

How to use Apple Network Responsiveness on iPhone or iPad

You will need an Apple Developer account to use this tool on an iOS device. The device must be running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 or later and you must be on the network you wish to test. Now follow these steps:

• Visit the Wi-Fi Profiles page on Apple’s website.
• Tap Profile to download the “WiFi Performance Diagnostics” profile.
• Open Settings, tap Profile Downloaded and follow the instructions to download and install this.
• Once installed, open Settings>Wi-Fi and tap the Info (i) icon next to your network name.
• Tap Diagnostics and then tap the Test tool beside Responsiveness to run the test.

What do the assessments mean?

Apple explains the difference between the three available assessment rankings as follows:

• Low: If any device on the same network is, for example, downloading a movie or backing up photos to iCloud, the connection in some apps or services might be unreliable, like during FaceTime video calls or gaming.
• Medium: When multiple devices or apps are sharing the network, you might see momentary pauses or freezes, like during FaceTime audio or video calls.
• High: Regardless of the number of devices and apps sharing the network, apps and services should maintain good connection.

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Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash