If you accidentally installed sysutils/pf or security/pf from ports, it may have placed a newer pfctl in /usr/local/sbin. To resolve:
ls -l /boot/kernel/pf.ko
ident /boot/kernel/pf.ko
Compare the date with your userland pfctl binary:
ls -l /sbin/pfctl
Administrators should rewrite legacy rules to conform to modern standards.
“pf configuration incompatible with pf program version” pf configuration incompatible with pf program version
freebsd-version -kru
If pfctl -V shows a newer version than the kernel expects, the config syntax may have changed.
Solution A: Use the System’s Native pfctl
macOS ships with its own PF version. Avoid installing a separate pfctl via Homebrew. Check which you are using: Compare the date with your userland pfctl binary:
which pfctl
If it points to /usr/local/bin/pfctl, rename or remove it, and use the system one at /sbin/pfctl.
Solution B: After macOS Upgrade, Reboot A major macOS upgrade (e.g., Monterey to Ventura) changes the kernel. Always reboot after such updates. Then:
sudo pfctl -f /etc/pf.conf
sudo pfctl -e
Solution C: Disable SIP Temporarily (Not Recommended) In rare cases, mismatched PF binaries persist due to System Integrity Protection. Boot into Recovery, disable SIP, remove conflicting PF tools, then re-enable SIP. This is a last resort. Administrators should rewrite legacy rules to conform to
PF uses an internal DIOCX version number. Use pfctl -si (status info) and look for “Version”:
pfctl -si | grep Version
Expected output:
Version : 1.8.0
If this value differs from pfctl -V, you have a mismatch.