How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on a MacBook (Step-by-Step Guide)
If your MacBook keeps connecting to the wrong Wi-Fi network, or you just want to clean up saved networks you no longer use, the solution is simple: forget the network.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- 🔍 Why you might want to forget a Wi-Fi network
- 💡 How to forget a network on macOS (Ventura, Monterey & earlier)
- 🛠️ Troubleshooting tips
- 🧼 How to manage saved networks effectively
Why Forget a Wi-Fi Network?
Your Mac automatically saves Wi-Fi networks you’ve connected to before. That can be convenient, but also problematic when:
- You switch to a better or faster network
- A saved network has changed passwords and now causes errors
- You’re on public Wi-Fi you don’t want to reconnect to again
- You’re troubleshooting network issues
In those cases, forgetting a network is the best way to reset or declutter your list of saved Wi-Fi connections.
How to Forget a Network on macOS Ventura (macOS 13) or Later
✅ Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Click the Apple Menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings.
- In the left-hand sidebar, choose Wi-Fi.
- Click “Known Networks” on the right side.
- You’ll see a list of saved networks. Find the one you want to remove.
- Click the three-dot icon (…) next to the network name.
- Select “Forget This Network…”
- Confirm when prompted.
That network is now removed from your Mac’s memory.
How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on macOS Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina
- Click the Apple menu and go to System Preferences.
- Select Network.
- Choose Wi-Fi in the left-hand list, then click “Advanced…” in the bottom-right corner.
- You’ll see a list of saved Wi-Fi networks.
- Select the one you want to forget and click the minus (-) button.
- Click OK, then Apply.
Done! The network will no longer auto-connect.
Forgot Network But It Still Shows Up?
Here’s what to check:
- You may still be in range of that Wi-Fi. Forgetting it means your Mac won’t auto-join, but it will still see it under available networks.
- If you’re signed into iCloud and have iCloud Keychain enabled, your saved Wi-Fi networks sync across devices. You might need to forget it on all your Apple devices.
What Happens After You Forget a Network?
- Your Mac won’t auto-connect to that network again.
- You’ll need to re-enter the password if you ever want to reconnect.
- It’s helpful when switching to a better connection or removing old networks.
Bonus: How to Manage Saved Wi-Fi Networks
You can reorganize and clean up your saved networks by:
- Reordering them so your Mac prioritizes the strongest ones
- Removing outdated public Wi-Fi networks you no longer visit
- Making sure your home or work Wi-Fi is at the top of the priority list
To reorder networks (pre-Ventura):
- Go to System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced
- Drag networks into your preferred order
Final Thoughts
Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on a MacBook is a simple yet powerful way to take control of your connectivity. Whether you’re fixing connection issues or decluttering old networks, now you know how to manage your Mac’s Wi-Fi memory like a pro.
✅ Quick.
✅ Secure.
✅ Totally under your control