CocoaPacketAnalyzer
CocoaPacketAnalyzer is a native macOS network packet analyzer for capturing traffic, inspecting protocols, and working with PCAP and pcapng trace files.
What is CocoaPacketAnalyzer?
CocoaPacketAnalyzer is a native macOS packet analyzer built for capturing network traffic and examining packet trace files in detail. It helps network engineers, developers, and technical users inspect Ethernet and Wi-Fi traffic, apply capture and display filters, and read or write PCAP and pcapng files during troubleshooting and analysis work. The app includes live capture tools, protocol dissection, byte-level packet views, and Finder Quick Look support for trace previews. It also provides TCP stream reconstruction, TLS inspection and decryption workflows, protocol statistics, and printing for reports or review. A plugin system lets users extend protocol analysis with additional analyzers. CocoaPacketAnalyzer is published by Daubit & Francke GmbH for macOS.
Key features
- Capture traffic from Ethernet and Wi-Fi interfaces
- Open, inspect, filter, and save PCAP and pcapng trace files
- Preview packet traces in Finder with the included Quick Look extension
- Follow TCP streams and reconstruct conversations for analysis
- Inspect TLS handshakes, certificates, and decrypted traffic workflows
- Use built-in protocol analyzers to view packet details and statistics
- Print packet traces and protocol summaries for reporting
- Extend analysis with plugin-based protocol analyzers
Review app leftovers with diCleaner
Inspect caches, support files, containers, and login items before cleaning.
Safety overview
Status: Use with caution
CocoaPacketAnalyzer is a legitimate network analysis tool, but it works with sensitive network traffic and may request elevated access for packet capture. Features such as promiscuous capture, Wi-Fi monitor mode, TLS decryption, and the built-in HTTPS proxy can expose private data if used carelessly. If you enable HTTPS interception, check the root certificate it installs in your login keychain and remove it when you no longer need that workflow. Keep the app only if you use packet analysis and understand the traffic visibility and certificate changes it can introduce.
Recommendation: Keep CocoaPacketAnalyzer if you actively capture or analyze network traffic on your Mac. If you do not use packet inspection, TLS decryption, or proxy features, you can remove it to reduce unnecessary access to network data and simplify your system setup.
Common paths
/Applications/CocoaPacketAnalyzer.app
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