SwitchHosts 5.0.3 for Mac

Mac Utilities

Updated Aug 8, 2026

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SwitchHosts is a free open source app for managing the hosts file on your Mac. Instead of editing a plain text system file by hand, you keep several named hosts profiles and switch between them with a click. It suits web developers, testers and support staff who move between live, staging and local environments.

Key Features

• Create and edit multiple hosts profiles in one tidy window
• Switch the active profile instantly without reopening system files
• Organise profiles into groups and folders for different projects
• Import entries from a remote hosts address and keep them updated
• Back up and restore your hosts data before making big changes

How to Download

1. Use the download button on this page to get the Mac build.
2. Download from the official site if you prefer the latest release from the project repository.
3. Open the downloaded file, move SwitchHosts into Applications, and approve the admin prompt when you first apply a profile.

System Requirements

SwitchHosts runs on modern Macs with either Apple silicon or Intel chips. Check your macOS version under About This Mac, and note that changing the hosts file always needs your admin password.

FAQs

Why does SwitchHosts ask for my password?

The hosts file belongs to the system, so macOS requires admin approval before any app can change it. The prompt appears when a profile is applied.

Will switching profiles break my internet?

Normal browsing keeps working. Entries you add only affect the names you list, and you can switch back to the default profile at any time.

Is SwitchHosts free?

Yes. It is open source software, and the Mac version can be downloaded and used at no cost.