Are you tired of your Mac constantly connecting to a WiFi network that you no longer use or want to connect to? Do you want to remove a WiFi network from your Mac’s memory to prevent it from automatically connecting to it in the future? If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll show you how to forget a WiFi network on Mac, as well as provide some additional tips and tricks to help you manage your WiFi connections.
Why Forget a WiFi Network on Mac?
Before we dive into the steps to forget a WiFi network on Mac, let’s first discuss why you might want to do so. There are several reasons why you might want to forget a WiFi network on your Mac:
- You no longer use the network: If you’ve moved to a new location or no longer use a particular WiFi network, you might want to remove it from your Mac’s memory to prevent it from automatically connecting to it in the future.
- The network is no longer available: If a WiFi network is no longer available or has been discontinued, you might want to remove it from your Mac’s memory to prevent it from trying to connect to it.
- You want to prevent automatic connections: If you have a Mac that automatically connects to a WiFi network that you don’t want it to connect to, you can forget the network to prevent this from happening.
- You want to improve your Mac’s WiFi performance: Forgetting unused WiFi networks can help improve your Mac’s WiFi performance by reducing the number of networks it tries to connect to.
How to Forget a WiFi Network on Mac
Forgetting a WiFi network on Mac is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps:
Method 1: Forget a WiFi Network from the WiFi Menu
- Click on the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your Mac’s screen.
- Click on “Open Network Preferences.”
- Click on “Advanced.”
- Select the WiFi network you want to forget from the list of available networks.
- Click on the minus (-) button at the bottom of the list.
- Click on “OK” to confirm.
Method 2: Forget a WiFi Network from the Network Preferences Pane
- Go to System Preferences > Network.
- Select the WiFi network you want to forget from the list of available networks.
- Click on the “Advanced” button.
- Select the WiFi network you want to forget from the list of available networks.
- Click on the minus (-) button at the bottom of the list.
- Click on “OK” to confirm.
Method 3: Forget a WiFi Network using the Terminal App
- Open the Terminal app on your Mac.
- Type the following command:
sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist - Press Enter to run the command.
- Type your administrator password to confirm.
- Restart your Mac.
Note: This method will remove all WiFi network settings, including the network you want to forget. You will need to re-enter the WiFi network settings for any networks you want to connect to.
Tips and Tricks for Managing WiFi Connections on Mac
In addition to forgetting WiFi networks, there are several other tips and tricks you can use to manage your WiFi connections on Mac:
Use the WiFi Menu to Quickly Connect to Networks
The WiFi menu is a convenient way to quickly connect to available WiFi networks. To access the WiFi menu, click on the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your Mac’s screen.
Use Network Preferences to Manage WiFi Settings
The Network Preferences pane is where you can manage your WiFi settings, including forgetting WiFi networks. To access the Network Preferences pane, go to System Preferences > Network.
Use the Terminal App to Manage WiFi Settings
The Terminal app is a powerful tool that allows you to manage your WiFi settings using commands. To access the Terminal app, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
Common Issues When Forgetting WiFi Networks on Mac
While forgetting WiFi networks on Mac is a relatively straightforward process, there are some common issues you might encounter:
WiFi Network Not Forgetting
If you’re having trouble forgetting a WiFi network on your Mac, try restarting your Mac or using the Terminal app method.
WiFi Network Reappearing
If a WiFi network you forgot is reappearing on your Mac, try checking your WiFi settings to make sure you didn’t accidentally re-add the network.
WiFi Performance Issues
If you’re experiencing WiFi performance issues after forgetting a WiFi network, try restarting your Mac or checking your WiFi settings to make sure everything is configured correctly.
Conclusion
Forgetting a WiFi network on Mac is a simple process that can help improve your Mac’s WiFi performance and prevent automatic connections to networks you no longer use. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily forget a WiFi network on your Mac and manage your WiFi connections with ease. Remember to also use the tips and tricks outlined in this article to get the most out of your Mac’s WiFi capabilities.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Method 1: Forget a WiFi Network from the WiFi Menu | 1. Click on the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your Mac’s screen. 2. Click on “Open Network Preferences.” 3. Click on “Advanced.” 4. Select the WiFi network you want to forget from the list of available networks. 5. Click on the minus (-) button at the bottom of the list. 6. Click on “OK” to confirm. |
| Method 2: Forget a WiFi Network from the Network Preferences Pane | 1. Go to System Preferences > Network. 2. Select the WiFi network you want to forget from the list of available networks. 3. Click on the “Advanced” button. 4. Select the WiFi network you want to forget from the list of available networks. 5. Click on the minus (-) button at the bottom of the list. 6. Click on “OK” to confirm. |
| Method 3: Forget a WiFi Network using the Terminal App | 1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac. 2. Type the following command: sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist 3. Press Enter to run the command. 4. Type your administrator password to confirm. 5. Restart your Mac. |
By following these methods and tips, you can easily forget a WiFi network on your Mac and manage your WiFi connections with ease.
What is the purpose of forgetting a WiFi network on a Mac?
Forgetting a WiFi network on a Mac is a useful feature that allows you to remove a network from your list of saved networks. This can be helpful if you’re having trouble connecting to a network, or if you want to remove a network that you no longer use. When you forget a network, your Mac will no longer automatically connect to it, and you’ll need to enter the network’s password again if you want to connect to it in the future.
By forgetting a network, you can also resolve issues related to network connectivity, such as dropped connections or slow speeds. Additionally, forgetting a network can help to improve your Mac’s overall WiFi performance by removing any unnecessary network configurations.
How do I forget a WiFi network on a Mac using the WiFi menu?
To forget a WiFi network on a Mac using the WiFi menu, click on the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your screen and select “Open Network Preferences.” Then, click on “Advanced” and select the network you want to forget from the list of saved networks. Click the minus sign (-) button at the bottom of the list to remove the network.
Once you’ve removed the network, click “OK” to save your changes. Your Mac will no longer automatically connect to the network, and you’ll need to enter the network’s password again if you want to connect to it in the future. Note that forgetting a network using the WiFi menu will only remove the network from your list of saved networks, but it won’t delete any other network settings or configurations.
How do I forget a WiFi network on a Mac using the Terminal app?
To forget a WiFi network on a Mac using the Terminal app, you’ll need to use a command-line interface. First, open the Terminal app on your Mac and type the command “sudo /usr/libexec/airportd prefs DeletePreferredNetworks” followed by the name of the network you want to forget. For example, if the network name is “MyNetwork,” you would type “sudo /usr/libexec/airportd prefs DeletePreferredNetworks MyNetwork.”
Once you’ve entered the command, press Enter to execute it. You’ll be prompted to enter your administrator password to confirm the action. After you’ve entered your password, the network will be removed from your list of saved networks, and your Mac will no longer automatically connect to it. Note that using the Terminal app to forget a network requires some technical knowledge, so it’s recommended for advanced users only.
What happens when I forget a WiFi network on a Mac?
When you forget a WiFi network on a Mac, the network is removed from your list of saved networks. This means that your Mac will no longer automatically connect to the network, and you’ll need to enter the network’s password again if you want to connect to it in the future. Forgetting a network also removes any other network settings or configurations associated with that network.
However, forgetting a network doesn’t delete any data or files associated with that network. Any files or data you’ve saved while connected to the network will still be available on your Mac. Additionally, forgetting a network doesn’t affect any other networks or internet connections on your Mac. You can still connect to other networks and access the internet as usual.
Can I forget multiple WiFi networks at once on a Mac?
Yes, you can forget multiple WiFi networks at once on a Mac using the WiFi menu or the Terminal app. To forget multiple networks using the WiFi menu, select the “Advanced” option in the Network Preferences window and select multiple networks from the list of saved networks. Then, click the minus sign (-) button at the bottom of the list to remove the selected networks.
To forget multiple networks using the Terminal app, you can use the same command as before, but separate the network names with a comma. For example, if you want to forget two networks named “MyNetwork” and “WorkNetwork,” you would type “sudo /usr/libexec/airportd prefs DeletePreferredNetworks MyNetwork,WorkNetwork.” Note that forgetting multiple networks at once can be convenient, but it’s also important to make sure you’re removing the correct networks to avoid any connectivity issues.
How do I know if I’ve successfully forgotten a WiFi network on a Mac?
To confirm that you’ve successfully forgotten a WiFi network on a Mac, you can check the WiFi menu or the Network Preferences window. If you’ve forgotten a network using the WiFi menu, the network should no longer appear in the list of saved networks. If you’ve forgotten a network using the Terminal app, you can check the Network Preferences window to confirm that the network is no longer listed.
Additionally, you can try connecting to the network again to see if your Mac prompts you to enter the network’s password. If your Mac prompts you to enter the password, it means that the network has been successfully forgotten, and you’ll need to enter the password again to connect to the network.
Can I recover a forgotten WiFi network on a Mac?
Yes, you can recover a forgotten WiFi network on a Mac by reconnecting to the network and entering the network’s password again. When you reconnect to the network, your Mac will prompt you to enter the password, and once you’ve entered the password, the network will be added back to your list of saved networks.
Note that recovering a forgotten network doesn’t restore any previous network settings or configurations. You’ll need to reconfigure any network settings or preferences that you had set up before forgetting the network. Additionally, if you’ve forgotten a network due to connectivity issues, you may need to troubleshoot the issue again before reconnecting to the network.