Are you tired of your MacBook constantly trying to connect to a WiFi network that you no longer use or want to connect to? Do you want to remove a WiFi network from your MacBook’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 your MacBook in a few simple steps.
Why Forget a WiFi Network on Your MacBook?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about why you might want to forget a WiFi network on your MacBook. There are several reasons why you might want to do this:
- You’ve moved to a new location: If you’ve moved to a new home or office, you may no longer be able to connect to your old WiFi network. Forgetting the network will prevent your MacBook from trying to connect to it in the future.
- You’ve changed your WiFi network: If you’ve changed your WiFi network’s name or password, you may need to forget the old network on your MacBook to connect to the new one.
- You’re experiencing connectivity issues: If you’re experiencing connectivity issues with a particular WiFi network, forgetting the network and then reconnecting to it may resolve the issue.
How to Forget a WiFi Network on Your MacBook
Forgetting a WiFi network on your MacBook is a relatively simple process. Here are the steps:
Method 1: Forget a WiFi Network from the WiFi Menu
The easiest way to forget a WiFi network on your MacBook is to use the WiFi menu. Here’s how:
- Click on the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your MacBook’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 Terminal App
If you’re comfortable using the Terminal app, you can also forget a WiFi network using the command line. Here’s how:
- Open the Terminal app on your MacBook. You can find it in the Applications/Utilities folder.
- Type the following command:
sudo /usr/libexec/airportd -s - Press Enter to run the command.
- Find the WiFi network you want to forget in the list of available networks.
- Type the following command:
sudo /usr/libexec/airportd -r <network_name> - Replace
<network_name>with the name of the WiFi network you want to forget. - Press Enter to run the command.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having trouble forgetting a WiFi network on your MacBook, here are a few troubleshooting tips to try:
- Restart your MacBook: Sometimes, simply restarting your MacBook can resolve connectivity issues and allow you to forget a WiFi network.
- Check your WiFi network’s settings: Make sure your WiFi network’s settings are correct and that you’re using the correct password.
- Reset your MacBook’s System Management Controller (SMC): Resetting your MacBook’s SMC can sometimes resolve connectivity issues. To reset your SMC, press the power button, the Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + Shift (⇧) + Power buttons at the same time, and hold them for 10 seconds.
Preventing Your MacBook from Automatically Connecting to a WiFi Network
If you don’t want your MacBook to automatically connect to a particular WiFi network, you can prevent it from doing so by following these steps:
- Click on the WiFi icon in the top right corner of your MacBook’s screen.
- Click on “Open Network Preferences.”
- Click on “Advanced.”
- Select the WiFi network you want to prevent your MacBook from automatically connecting to.
- Uncheck the box next to “Auto Join.”
Conclusion
Forgetting a WiFi network on your MacBook is a relatively simple process that can help resolve connectivity issues and prevent your MacBook from automatically connecting to a network you no longer use or want to connect to. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to forget a WiFi network on your MacBook in no time. Remember to restart your MacBook and check your WiFi network’s settings if you’re having trouble forgetting a network.
What is the purpose of forgetting a WiFi network on my MacBook?
Forgetting a WiFi network on your MacBook 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 MacBook will no longer automatically connect to it, and you’ll need to manually enter the network’s password to connect again.
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 you to start fresh and reconfigure your network settings if you’re experiencing problems.
How do I know if I need to forget a WiFi network on my MacBook?
You may need to forget a WiFi network on your MacBook if you’re experiencing connectivity issues or if you want to remove a network that you no longer use. If you’re having trouble connecting to a network, or if you’re getting error messages when trying to connect, forgetting the network may help to resolve the issue. Additionally, if you’ve changed your network’s password or settings, you may need to forget the network and reconnect to it using the new credentials.
If you’re not sure whether you need to forget a network, you can try restarting your MacBook or disabling and re-enabling your WiFi connection. If you’re still having trouble, forgetting the network may be the next step to take.
Will forgetting a WiFi network delete my saved passwords?
Forgetting a WiFi network on your MacBook will not delete your saved passwords. When you forget a network, your MacBook will only remove the network from your list of saved networks, and you’ll need to manually enter the network’s password to connect again. Your saved passwords are stored in your Keychain, which is a secure password management system that stores your login credentials and other sensitive information.
If you want to delete a saved password, you’ll need to go to your Keychain and manually delete the password. Forgetting a network will not affect your saved passwords, and you’ll still be able to access them when you need to.
Can I forget a WiFi network on my MacBook using the WiFi menu?
No, you cannot forget a WiFi network on your MacBook using the WiFi menu. The WiFi menu allows you to connect to and disconnect from networks, but it does not provide an option to forget a network. To forget a network, you’ll need to go to your Network preferences and select the “Advanced” option.
From there, you can select the network you want to forget and click the “minus” button to remove it from your list of saved networks. This will prevent your MacBook from automatically connecting to the network in the future.
How do I forget a WiFi network on my MacBook if I’m using macOS High Sierra or earlier?
If you’re using macOS High Sierra or earlier, the process for forgetting a WiFi network is slightly different. To forget a network, you’ll need to go to your Network preferences and select the “Advanced” option. From there, you can select the network you want to forget and click the “minus” button to remove it from your list of saved networks.
However, in macOS High Sierra and earlier, you’ll also need to click the “Apply” button to save your changes. This will ensure that the network is removed from your list of saved networks and that your MacBook will no longer automatically connect to it.
Will forgetting a WiFi network affect my other devices?
Forgetting a WiFi network on your MacBook will not affect your other devices. When you forget a network, you’re only removing it from your MacBook’s list of saved networks, and it will not affect any other devices that may be connected to the same network.
If you want to forget a network on multiple devices, you’ll need to go through the process on each device individually. Forgetting a network on one device will not automatically forget it on other devices.
Can I forget a WiFi network on my MacBook if I’m connected to it?
Yes, you can forget a WiFi network on your MacBook even if you’re currently connected to it. To do this, you’ll need to go to your Network preferences and select the “Advanced” option. From there, you can select the network you’re currently connected to and click the “minus” button to remove it from your list of saved networks.
When you forget a network that you’re currently connected to, your MacBook will immediately disconnect from the network. You’ll then need to manually reconnect to the network using the network’s password.