TFTP on macOS

Before entering tftp, change your directory in terminal where the file you want to push is sent.

tftp 192.168.x.x

Prompt switches to tftp>

 
bin
# sets tftp to binary mode
trace on
# gives you verbose output
put [firmware file]

The server is disabled by default.

Starting the tftp server

sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist

Stopping the tftp server

sudo launchctl unload -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist

Check the process to ensure the server is running. If there is a blank response, server is not running.

netstat -atp UDP | grep tftp

The tftp server uses /private/tftpboot as its default folder. You can use command+shift+g to enter the path directly. Any files you wish for the client to receive, you must move the files there.

cp filename /private/tftpboot

Since the folder is restricted, you need to set the correct permissions on the file.

chmod -R 766 /private/tftpboot

There is a gotcha with the TFTP daemon, which is you cant copy a file to the TFTP daemon if that file does not already exist there. To work around it you can just create a file and set the permission for it. Then your devices will just send data into the pre-created file.

### Create the file touch /private/tftpboot/FILENAME ### Set permissions chmod -R 766 /private/tftpboot