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Lab Mode · Setup guide

macOS Laptop Agent

We're going to install a small app on your Mac that turns it into an EZLINK node. Paying roamers near you will be able to use your Wi-Fi, and you get paid.

Start here

Sign in, accept the short Host Agreement, and we'll generate your Node ID + Token (and the installer, if there is one) on the spot.

Download this guide as PDF

Before you start, you need:

  • A Mac running macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer (Intel or Apple Silicon).
  • The Mac must be plugged into power (it stays on while hosting).
  • An internet connection you're allowed to share.
  • You'll need to turn on Internet Sharing yourself in System Settings — macOS won't let an app toggle it for you.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Sign in & accept the Host Agreement

    Click the green Get installer & credentials button below. If you're not signed in, we'll take you to the sign-in page first. After signing in, tick the agreement checkbox and click Accept.

    Tip: The agreement is one short page, in plain English. It just says you're allowed to share this internet connection and that we'll pay you fairly.

  2. 2

    Download the installer

    After you accept, a Download installer button appears. Click it. A file called EZLINK-Agent.dmg will save to your Downloads folder.

    Tip: If the download doesn't start, click the small 'Download not starting? Use direct link' line and copy the address into your browser.

  3. 3

    Open the .dmg and drag the app to Applications

    Double-click EZLINK-Agent.dmg in your Downloads folder. A window opens with the EZLINK Agent app on one side and an Applications folder shortcut on the other. Drag EZLINK Agent onto the Applications folder. When the copy finishes, eject the disk image (right-click the EZLINK Agent volume on your desktop → Eject).

  4. 4

    Launch the agent (first-run unlock)

    Open Launchpad or Applications and click EZLINK Agent. The first time, macOS will block it with 'EZLINK Agent cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software.' Click Done, then open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to the Security section, and click Open Anyway next to the EZLINK Agent entry. Confirm with your Mac password. The app will launch.

    Tip: On macOS 12, the same control is in System Preferences → Security & Privacy → General → Open Anyway. We'll ship a notarized build soon so this step goes away.

  5. 5

    Turn on Internet Sharing

    Open System Settings → General → Sharing (on macOS 12 it's System Preferences → Sharing). Turn on Internet Sharing. Choose your wired internet under 'Share your connection from' and tick Wi-Fi under 'To computers using'. Click Wi-Fi Options to set a network name and password if prompted.

    Tip: macOS asks for admin confirmation the first time you enable Internet Sharing. EZLINK can't toggle this for you — Apple reserves it for the user.

  6. 6

    Pair this device using your code

    Back in the EZLINK Agent window, a 'Pair this device' overlay appears. Return to this page, click the copy button next to your 8-character pairing code, paste it into the agent, and click Pair.

    Tip: The code is valid for 24 hours and works only once. If you closed this page, go to Owner → My Nodes, find your Mac node, and click Generate new pairing code.

  7. 7

    Click Run Self-Test

    Once paired, the agent pulls your Node ID and Token automatically. Click Run Self-Test. It checks internet, hotspot, and metering, and shows a green tick when ready.

How you'll know it worked

  • Agent window shows a green 'Connected to EZLINK' badge.
  • Self-test shows all green ticks.
  • Your node appears in Owner → My Nodes on this website.

If something goes wrong

'EZLINK Agent cannot be opened' and right-click → Open does nothing

On recent macOS, right-click → Open no longer bypasses Gatekeeper for un-notarized apps. Use System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to the Security section → Open Anyway. Enter your Mac password to confirm.

Self-test says 'Cannot start hotspot'

Internet Sharing isn't on. Open System Settings → General → Sharing → Internet Sharing and toggle it on, sharing from your wired connection to Wi-Fi. Company-managed Macs (MDM) sometimes block this — check with IT.

Pairing code says 'invalid or expired'

Codes expire after 24 hours and work only once. Go to Owner → My Nodes, find your Mac node, and click Generate new pairing code. Paste the fresh code into the agent.

I closed the agent before pairing and the overlay is gone

Click the EZLINK icon in your menu bar (top-right of the screen) and choose Enter pairing code… The overlay will reappear.

Ready to go?

Click below to get your credentials and the installer.