🖥️ How to Forget a Network on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide
Wi-Fi networks are super convenient — but sometimes you need to forget one. Whether you’re fixing a connection issue, decluttering your saved networks, or avoiding an unsecured hotspot, forgetting a Wi-Fi network on your Mac is simple and smart.
🔍 Why Should You Forget a Network?
Here are some common reasons:
- Security concerns – The network is public or untrusted.
- New password – You’re trying to connect to a network that has new credentials.
- Troubleshooting – Your Mac keeps trying to connect to a broken or low-signal network.
- Decluttering – You’ve connected to many networks and want to clean things up.
🛠️ How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Mac (Step-by-Step)
âś… Step 1: Open System Settings
- Click the Apple logo () in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Choose System Settings (on macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (for earlier versions).
âś… Step 2: Go to Network Settings
- Select Network from the left-hand sidebar.
- Then click on Wi-Fi.
âś… Step 3: View Saved Networks
- Scroll down and click Details… or Advanced…, depending on your macOS version.
- A list of previously connected networks will appear.
âś… Step 4: Forget the Network
- Find the Wi-Fi name you want to remove.
- Click the “…” next to it or select and hit the minus (–) button.
- Click Remove or Forget when prompted.
âś… Step 5: Done!
- Press Done or OK, then close the settings window.
- That network is now forgotten — your Mac won’t auto-connect to it anymore.
⚙️ Bonus: Use Terminal to Forget a Network (Advanced Users)
If you prefer using Terminal, here’s a command that does the same thing:
sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport --forget "Network_Name"
Replace "Network_Name" with the name (SSID) of the Wi-Fi. You’ll be asked to enter your Mac password.
🧠Pro Tips
- If you use iCloud Keychain, forgetting a network on one Apple device may remove it from others too.
- You can always reconnect by selecting the network and entering its password again.
- You cannot forget a network from the login screen — you must be logged in to your Mac.
âś… Final Thoughts
Knowing how to manage your Wi-Fi networks helps keep your Mac secure and efficient. Whether you’re removing a buggy connection or avoiding public hotspots, forgetting a network is a simple fix that puts you in control.
Let your Mac connect smarter — not harder. 🚀