If you’re in the Networking Academy or working in networking, you might have heard of Cisco Packet Tracer. It’s a robust Cisco program that lets you set up network setups and try out how networks work.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up and using the Packet Tracer on macOS on a Mac PC. Whether you’re studying for a Cisco exam or want to practice networking, this guide will help you get going with it on your Mac macOS. Let’s get started!

Credit: Apple
Boost Your Networking Skills with Cisco’s Packet Tracer
Cisco’s Packet Tracer is a great tool if you’re getting ready for Cisco exams. You can easily download it for free on Windows, Linux, and macOS, especially if you’re a Networking Academy student. Once it’s installed, you can start making projects to practice and get better at LAN.
It comes with lots of free lessons to help you practice and learn networking, making it super helpful for anyone interested in LAN. Whether you’re already experienced or just starting, it is a fantastic way to boost your skills and get ready for Cisco exams.
Running Packet Tracer on a Mac PC
Before you install it on your Mac, you need to join the Netacad website. Once you’re a member, you can download the latest version of it as a DMG file to your computer. After downloading, you can either watch a video tutorial or follow the sections below to install the Cisco simulator program.
- To open a web browser on your Mac, you can use Safari, which comes with macOS. Or, if you prefer, you can use other browser tools like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox if you’ve installed them. Just click on the browser’s icon in your Applications folder or utilize Spotlight search to find and open it quickly.
- To get to the Cisco Networking Academy resources, go to the official Cisco Netacad. When you’re there, find and click on the Login area to sign in to your account.
- Please enter the email address details and password that you used when you signed up for Cisco Netacad.
- To get it, follow these steps after you log in: First, click on the “Resources” menu, which you should see on your screen. Then, choose the “Download Packet Tracer” option from the inventory of choices.
- To download the macOS version, please locate the Download button underneath it and click on it.
- Once you’ve downloaded the Packet Tracer.dmg file for your macOS system, you can find it on your computer by checking your “Downloads” folder or by using the search feature on your operating system. Once you find the file, you can start the installation process.
- To open the file and see what’s inside, you need to mount the dmg file to your system. Just double-click on the file, and it’ll show up as a separate volume on your system. Then, you can access the files inside dmg.
- To install this networking tool, find the setup file in the window that pops up after you mount the dmg file. Double-click on it, and this will start the installation process. Just follow the steps it gives you.
- When you open the Setup Wizard, a window will pop up with choices for you to set up. Find the button that says ‘Continue’ and click on it to keep going with the setup.
- To continue installing Packet Tracer, you have to read and agree to the license agreement that pops up during the installation. This agreement tells you the rules for using the software, so make sure to read it carefully before moving on. Once you’ve checked it out, you can accept the terms and continue with the installation.
- To start installing the simulator tool on your macOS PC, click on the “Install” button.
- While installing the Cisco simulator, you’ll need to enter your Root password when prompted. Just type it in to continue.
- Once the installation is done, a Setup Wizard will pop up. Click ‘Done’ to finish.
- To open Cisco Packet Tracer on your macOS PC, go to the Applications folder. Look for its folder, double-click it, and then run the program.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Cisco Packet Tracer for macOS is a usable tool for anyone who wants to learn about networking, whether you’re a student or already working in the field. It has free lessons and projects that can help you get better at LAN and prepare for Cisco exams.
By following the steps in this guide, you can quickly install and run Packet Tracer on your Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma. With this simulator software, you can set up networks and see how they work, which is super helpful for improving your PC network skills. So why not give the simulator tool a shot today?