---
title: "macOS scanning requirements | Lansweeper Platform"
slug: "macos-scanning-requirements"
description: "Review the requirements to scan macOS computers with Lansweeper Network Discovery over SSH, including Remote Login, an SSH credential, and Spotlight."
status: "update"
updated: 2026-07-23T19:48:05Z
published: 2026-07-23T19:48:05Z
canonical: "docs.lansweeper.com/macos-scanning-requirements"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lansweeper.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# macOS scanning requirements

Network Discovery scans macOS computers over SSH. Enabling SSH lets the sensor run the `system_profiler` command, which reads hardware, operating system, and software data from the machine.

To scan a Mac, you need a user account with SSH access and Spotlight enabled for software inventory.

              Can't reach a Mac over the network?

              

For remote or off-network Macs that a sensor can't scan over SSH, use [IT Agent Discovery](/docs/what-is-it-agent-discovery) instead. The agent runs on the endpoint and sends its inventory back to your site.

## Requirements

Every Mac you scan must meet these requirements:

- **SSH**: Remote Login (SSH) must be enabled on the Mac. Network Discovery connects over TCP 22.
- **Credential**: An [SSH discovery credential](/docs/create-discovery-credentials) for a user account with SSH access to the Mac. The account must have logged in locally at least once, or have sudo privileges.
- **Spotlight**: Spotlight must be enabled. The `system_profiler` command Network Discovery uses to read installed software doesn't return results without it.

## Enable Remote Login on macOS

1. Open **System Settings** on the Mac. On macOS 12 and earlier, open **System Preferences**.
2. Go to **General** > **Sharing**.
3. Turn on **Remote Login**.
4. Set **Allow access for** to **Only these users**, then add the account Network Discovery will use to scan the Mac.
5. Verify that Spotlight is enabled so software data can be collected.

## Next steps

- [Create discovery credentials](/docs/create-discovery-credentials) for the Macs you want to scan.
- [Create a Network Discovery action](/docs/create-a-network-discovery-action) to define what to scan, when, and with which credentials.