How to start/stop Internet Sharing using AppleScript - applescript

Question

I don't have a Wi-Fi router, so when at home I need to turn my laptop into a Wi-Fi source so that both myself and my partner can access the internet.
However during the days I work at a coffee shop and require the use of their Wi-Fi.
I'm running Snow Leopard and I find it stupidly cumbersome to constantly be turning off and on, first Internet Sharing and then my Wi-Fi.
Any ideas for a quick 'n' dirty AppleScript solution?

Answer 1

You can use launchctl to programmatically start or stop the Internet Sharing service.
The following AppleScript will start Internet Sharing:
do shell script "/bin/launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.InternetSharing.plist" with administrator privileges
The following AppleScript will stop Internet Sharing:
do shell script "/bin/launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.InternetSharing.plist" with administrator privileges

Answer 2

I'm using this AppleScript from Automator so that I can easily use it as a service and give it a keyboard shortcut.
Toggle Internet Sharing:
register_growl()
try
if isRunning("InternetSharing") then
do shell script "launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.InternetSharing.plist" with administrator privileges
if isRunning("InternetSharing") then
error "Internet Connection Sharing was Not Disabled"
else
my growlnote("Success", "Internet Connection Sharing Disabled")
end if
else
do shell script "launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.InternetSharing.plist" with administrator privileges
if isRunning("InternetSharing") then
my growlnote("Success", "Internet Connection Sharing Enabled")
else
error "Internet Connection Sharing was Not Enabled"
end if
end if
on error errMsg
my growlnote("Error", errMsg)
end try
on isRunning(processName)
try
return 0 < length of (do shell script "ps ax | grep -v grep | grep " & processName)
on error
return false
end try
end isRunning
on register_growl()
try
tell application "GrowlHelperApp"
set the notificationsList to {"Success", "Warning", "Error"}
register as application "Toggle Internet Connection Sharing" all notifications notificationsList default notifications notificationsList icon of application "Sharing"
end tell
end try
end register_growl
on growlnote(growltype, str)
try
tell application "GrowlHelperApp"
notify with name growltype title growltype description str application name "Toggle Internet Connection Sharing"
end tell
end try
end growlnote
I am cross-posting this on the Apple stack exchange because the question was asked in both places.

Answer 3

Not sure if you are still looking for a solution but... here is an apple script to enable or disable internet sharing
tell application "System Preferences"
activate
reveal (pane id "com.apple.preferences.sharing")
end tell
tell application "System Events"
tell process "System Preferences"
try
click checkbox of row 11 of table 1 of scroll area of group 1 of window "Sharing"
if checkbox of row 11 of table 1 of scroll area of group 1 of window "Sharing" is equal to 1 then
repeat until sheet of window 1 exists
delay 0.5
end repeat
end if
if (sheet of window 1 exists) then
click button "Start" of sheet of window 1
end if
tell application "System Preferences" to quit
activate (display dialog "Internet Sharing preferences sucessfully flipped")
on error
activate
display dialog "something went wrong in automation but you are probably in the right menu..."
return false
end try
end tell
end tell
I also will post this on the apple stack exchange post.

Answer 4

Here's what I came up with for Mojave to toggle Internet Sharing using (mostly) accessibility — unfortunately none of the solutions involving using launchctl and/or editing com.apple.nat.plist worked for me.
open location "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preferences.sharing?Internet"
tell application "System Events"
tell process "System Preferences"
repeat until window "Sharing" exists
delay 0.1
end repeat
tell window "Sharing"
set _row to group 1's scroll area 1's table 1's first row whose selected is true
set _wasSharing to _row's checkbox's value as number
if _wasSharing is 1 then
click _row's checkbox
set _wasSharing to _row's checkbox's value as number
repeat until _wasSharing is 0
delay 0.1
end repeat
end if
if _wasSharing is 0 then
click _row's checkbox
repeat until sheet 1 exists
delay 0.1
end repeat
click sheet 1's button "Start"
end if
end tell
end tell
end tell
tell application "System Preferences" to quit