> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.hak5.org/wifi-coconut/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.hak5.org/wifi-coconut/software-and-drivers/installing-on-macos.md). # Installing on macOS ## Installing Homebrew for macOS The simplest way to install the WiFi Coconut tools for macOS is to install the Homebrew package manager. The Homebrew package manager is available at If you are not already using Homebrew, follow the install directions on the [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) site. If prompted to install the Xcode Command Line tools, do so. They will be required! ## Install the WiFi Coconut tools Once Brew and the Xcode command line tools are installed, installing the WiFi Coconut tools for macOS is as simple as: ``` brew tap hak5/wifi-coconut brew install wifi-coconut ``` This will download and install the WiFi Coconut tools, compile them automatically, and install them. If prompted to install other tools such as the xcode command-line tools, do so. #### Example installation ``` hak5 ~ % brew install wifi-coconut ==> Downloading https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core/pkg-config/manifests/0.29.2_3 ######################################################################## 100.0% ==> Downloading https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core/pkg-config/blobs/sha256:2af9bce ==> Downloading from https://pkg-containers.githubusercontent.com/ghcr1/blobs/sh ######################################################################## 100.0% ==> Downloading https://github.com/hak5/hak5-wifi-coconut/archive/refs/tags/v1.0 Already downloaded: /Users/hak5/Library/Caches/Homebrew/downloads/401dc2d1ee3da1d0831be9a6783966a7b6eb3944daf8db1c660a36aed086ea5c--hak5-wifi-coconut-1.0.0.tar.gz ==> Installing wifi-coconut from hak5/wifi-coconut ==> Installing dependencies for hak5/wifi-coconut/wifi-coconut: pkg-config ==> Installing hak5/wifi-coconut/wifi-coconut dependency: pkg-config ==> Pouring pkg-config--0.29.2_3.arm64_monterey.bottle.tar.gz 🍺 /opt/homebrew/Cellar/pkg-config/0.29.2_3: 11 files, 676.4KB ==> Installing hak5/wifi-coconut/wifi-coconut ==> echo $(pwd) ==> cmake -S ../ ==> make ==> make install 🍺 /opt/homebrew/Cellar/wifi-coconut/1.0.0: 9 files, 349.0KB, built in 4 seconds ==> Running `brew cleanup wifi-coconut`... Disable this behaviour by setting HOMEBREW_NO_INSTALL_CLEANUP. Hide these hints with HOMEBREW_NO_ENV_HINTS (see `man brew`). hak5 ~ % ``` ## Running The `wifi_coconut` tool is the main interface for the WiFi Coconut, run it from a terminal with: ``` wifi_coconut ``` ![WiFi Coconut on macOS](/files/OGrsd4wZCjvTHH8v5Jo4) Additionally, the `wifi_coconut` tool takes several options to automate behavior: ``` Usage: wifi_coconut [options] By default, the wifi_coconut tool opens in interactive mode. Universal options: --disable-leds Go fully dark; don't enable any LEDs --invert-leds Normally a Wi-Fi Coconut enables all the LEDs and blinks during traffic; Invert only lights when there is traffic. --disable-blinking Disable blinking the LEDs on traffic Non-interactive modes: --no-display Don't display channel UI while logging --wait Wait for a coconut to be found --pcap=[fname] Log packets to a pcap file. If file is '-', a pcap file will be echoed to stdout so that it can be piped to other tools. --wait-for-coconut Wait for a coconut to be connected and identified --list-coconuts List Wi-Fi Coconut devices and exit --coconut-device=X If you have multiple Wi-Fi Coconuts, specify which one to use --enable-partial Enable a Wi-Fi Coconut even if not all the radios have been identified. --plain-dot11 Log plain 802.11 packets instead of radiotap formatted packets with signal and channel --quiet Disable most output ``` Warning - if you are using an older macOS (Catalina or Big Sur), there is a known bug in the macOS kernel for handling USB. You will need to exit **all** other applications that may interact with the USB system, **including** **browsers** such as Chrome. {% hint style="danger" %} This has been fixed in more recent macOS releases and is no longer a problem with Monterrey and newer! It is also not a problem on macOS versions earlier than Catalina. {% endhint %} ## Integrating with other tools Output from the `wifi_coconut` tool can be directly piped to other tools like `tcpdump` or `tshark`: ``` sudo wifi_coconut --no-display --pcap=- | tcpdump -r - ``` or ``` sudo wifi_coconut --no-display --pcap=- | tshark -r - ``` ## Compiling from source You can, of course, compile the WiFi Coconut tools manually. ### Install dependencies To compile from source on macOS you will need: * The Xcode command line tools from Apple * The CMake build system * Git * LibUSB 1.0.0 In the Homebrew package manager, these can be installed by installing Homebrew, then installing dependencies: ``` brew install cmake brew install libusb ``` For other package managers, you will need to install the equivalent packages. ### Check out the code ``` git checkout https://github.com/hak5/hak5-wifi-coconut ``` ### Configure ``` cd hak5-wifi-coconut mkdir build cd build cmake ../ ``` `cmake` will confirm that the required dependencies are available. ### Compile ``` make ``` ### Install ``` make install ``` This will install the wifi-coconut tool to the default path (`/usr/local/bin` by default), and the rt2800usb firmware to `/usr/local/share/`.