This guide shows how to diagnose and resolve the error message: "pf configuration incompatible with pf program version" on systems using pf (Packet Filter) such as OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, or macOS. Follow the steps in order; copy/paste commands as needed. Assumes you have root/administrator access.
On macOS, the built-in PF is part of the system kernel. Upgrading macOS (e.g., 12.x to 13.x) updates the kernel’s PF API. However, if you later install a newer pfctl via Homebrew or MacPorts, that userland tool may demand a kernel API version your macOS does not yet support. pf configuration incompatible with pf program version
For OpenBSD (which is a unified system): However, if you later install a newer pfctl
Fix: "PF Configuration Incompatible with PF Program Version" pf configuration incompatible with pf program version
On FreeBSD:
: In OpenBSD 4.7, the syntax for NAT (Network Address Translation) and redirection changed significantly. Older "NAT-on" rules were replaced by a more unified syntax within the filtering rules themselves. OS Divergence
man -s 5 pf.conf # on the target system