How to Install Fing Desktop on Windows and macOS

Fing Desktop is the desktop version of Fing for Windows and macOS. It scans your network, discovers and recognizes connected devices, runs automated security and connectivity checks, and syncs with your Fing Mobile and Web apps. Fing Desktop includes an onboard (activated) Agent, so you do not need to install a separate agent.

This article explains the minimum supported requirements and how to download and install Fing Desktop on Windows and macOS.

Before you begin

• A free Fing Account is required. Fing Desktop signs in to Fing's cloud services for device recognition and to sync your network data across Mobile, Web, and Desktop. You can create a free Fing account if you don't have one.
• An active internet connection is required for sign-in, device recognition, and syncing.
• Always download from the official source: get.fing.com.

Minimum supported requirements and versions

Note for Intel Mac users: Starting with version 4.0, Fing Desktop runs only on Apple Silicon (M1 or later). If you use an Intel-based Mac, download the latest compatible earlier version from get.fing.com.

Install Fing Desktop on Windows

1. Go to get.fing.com. The Fing download screen appears with options for Windows and macOS.
2. Click Get it for Windows. The installer (.exe) downloads to your Downloads folder.
3. Open your Downloads folder in File Explorer and double-click the Fing executable to launch the installer.
4. Follow the on-screen steps and accept the license agreement.
5. If you are prompted to install the packet-capture library (Npcap), accept it — Fing needs it to scan your network.
6. Click Finish to complete the installation.
7. Launch Fing Desktop and sign in with your Fing Account.

Fing then runs its first network scan and displays the devices connected to your network.

Install Fing Desktop on macOS

1. Go to get.fing.com. The Fing download screen appears with options for Windows and macOS.
2. Click Get it for macOS. The disk image (.dmg) downloads to your Downloads folder.
3. Open the downloaded .dmg file. When prompted, click Install.
4. Drag and drop the Fing icon into the Applications folder.
5. Open the Applications folder and launch Fing.
6. Sign in with your Fing Account.

Important: Install Fing Desktop into the Applications folder only. If it is run from another location, it cannot connect to its services and devices may appear as "Unidentified" or "Undefined."

Automatic updates

By default, Fing Desktop automatically updates to the latest stable release. When a new version is published, simply open Fing Desktop and it will update on its own. Automatic updates may take up to 8 hours after release. For most users, we recommend leaving automatic updates on so you always have the latest features, security checks, and fixes.

Disabling automatic updates

You can turn automatic updates off in the app's Preferences. With the setting disabled, Fing Desktop will no longer download or install new versions, and you will not be prompted to upgrade.

This is particularly useful if your device can no longer run the latest release because of a change in the minimum OS or hardware requirements — for example, an Intel-based Mac that cannot run Fing Desktop 4.0, or an older macOS version. In that case you can:

1. Re-download the last version that worked on your device from get.fing.com (or the appropriate legacy package — see Compatibility Information below).
2. Install that version.
3. Open Fing Desktop → Preferences and disable automatic updates.
4. Restart the app.

Fing Desktop will then stay on the version you installed and won't force an upgrade to a release your device cannot support.

Tip: If you intend to stay on a legacy version, disable automatic updates before the next release is fetched, so the older build isn't replaced automatically.

Troubleshooting tips

• "Fing Service Not Found" error: Make sure you are on the latest version, that Fing is installed in the Applications folder (macOS), and restart your computer. On Windows, a conflict with Wireshark/Npcap can cause this — see the related article below.
• App won't load or open: Confirm your OS meets the minimum supported version above, then reinstall the latest version from get.fing.com.
• Older/unsupported macOS: Legacy versions (Catalina, Big Sur, Mojave, High Sierra) are supported on a best-effort basis only and may require a manual workaround.