How to manage saved Wi‑Fi networks on macOS

This guide will show you how to view, prioritize, forget, and troubleshoot saved Wi-Fi networks on your Mac. You'll learn to clean up your network list and resolve connectivity issues caused by outdated or conflicting network profiles.

By the end, you'll have full control over which networks your Mac automatically joins and how it handles connection attempts.

Note: Steps may vary by device and router model. This guide focuses on safe, general methods.

Quick Answer

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS) and go to Wi-Fi.
Click the three dots or "Advanced" button next to your network to see saved networks.
To forget a network, select it from the list and click the minus (-) button.
Drag networks up or down in the list to change automatic join priority.
After changes, turn Wi-Fi off and back on to refresh the connection.
If you have issues, delete the network profile and rejoin from scratch.

If this doesn't work, your issue might be related to broader network settings. Follow the diagnostic flow below.

What you need

Before you start

Your Mac must be running a relatively recent version of macOS.
You need administrator privileges on the Mac.
Know the password for your Wi-Fi network if you plan to rejoin.
Ensure you have a backup internet connection (like cellular tethering) in case you lose access.
Close any VPN or security software temporarily to avoid interference.

Good to know

Saved networks are stored per user account on macOS.
Forgetting a network deletes its password and any custom settings.
Network priority is based on the order in the list—top networks are tried first.
Some networks (like enterprise ones) may have certificates or profiles that need separate removal.
Changes take effect immediately, but a Wi-Fi restart may be needed.
You can manage networks via Terminal for advanced control.

Diagnose the issue in 2 minutes

Is it only your Mac or all devices?
- If all devices: problem is likely with the router or ISP.
- If only your Mac: focus on Mac's saved networks and settings.
Can you see the network in your list but not connect?
- Try forgetting the network and rejoining.
- Check if the network password has changed.
Does your Mac join the wrong network automatically?
- Reorder saved networks to prioritize the desired one.
- Disable "Auto-Join" for problematic networks.
Quick checks:

1. Wi-Fi is turned on (menu bar icon).

2. Network name appears in available networks.

3. No VPN is active.

4. Router is powered on and broadcasting.

5. Other devices can connect successfully.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1 — Open network settings

Go to the System Settings app (or System Preferences on older versions). Click on "Wi-Fi" in the sidebar.

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings".
In the left panel, choose "Wi-Fi". You should see your current connection status.

What you should see: A list of available Wi-Fi networks and your currently connected network.

Step 2 — Access advanced Wi-Fi options

Click the three dots (…) or "Advanced" button near your connected network. This opens the list of saved networks.

In newer macOS, click the three dots next to "Wi-Fi" title. In older versions, click "Advanced" at the bottom.
A new window will pop up with tabs like "Wi-Fi", "TCP/IP", and "DNS".

What you should see: A tabbed window with a list of preferred networks under the "Wi-Fi" tab.

Step 3 — View saved networks

In the "Preferred Networks" list, you'll see all networks your Mac has saved. You can scroll through them.

Networks are listed in order of priority for auto-joining.
Checkboxes indicate "Auto-Join" status for each network.

What you should see: A scrollable list with network names, priority order, and checkboxes.

Step 4 — Forget a network

To remove a network, select it and click the minus (-) button below the list. Confirm if prompted.

Select the network name you want to forget.
Click the minus (-) button. This deletes the password and settings for that network.
For enterprise networks, you may need to remove profiles separately in "Profiles" settings.

What you should see: The network disappears from the list immediately.

Step 5 — Reorder networks for priority

Drag and drop networks in the list to change the order. Your Mac will try to join higher networks first.

Click and hold a network name, then drag it up or down.
Place your most-used network at the top for faster auto-join.

What you should see: The list order updates as you drag. Changes are saved automatically.

Step 6 — Toggle Auto-Join for a network

Uncheck the "Auto-Join" box next to a network to prevent automatic connection, while keeping it saved.

Click the checkbox to enable or disable auto-join for that network.
Useful for public networks you don't want to join automatically.

What you should see: The checkbox becomes unchecked, and the network remains in the list.

Step 7 — Add a new network manually

Click the plus (+) button to add a network by name. You'll need to enter the password when connecting.

Click the plus (+) button below the list.
Type the exact network name (SSID) and choose security type.
Click "OK", then join the network when it appears.

What you should see: The network appears in your list. You may be prompted for a password.

Step 8 — Apply changes and restart Wi-Fi

Click "OK" to save all changes. Then turn Wi-Fi off and on from the menu bar to refresh the connection.

In the advanced window, click "OK" to close it.
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select "Turn Wi-Fi Off", wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
Your Mac will now use the updated network list.

What you should see: Wi-Fi disconnects and reconnects, potentially to a different network based on priority.

Windows: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.

macOS: As described above in System Settings > Wi-Fi > Advanced.

Linux: Depends on desktop environment; often in network manager settings or via terminal commands like nmcli.

Common fixes by symptom

Symptom: Mac won't connect to a saved network

Likely causes:

Outdated network password saved.
Corrupted network profile on Mac.
Router security settings changed (e.g., from WPA2 to WPA3).

Safe fixes:

Forget the network and rejoin with the correct password.
Restart your Mac and router.
Check for macOS updates that include Wi-Fi drivers.

When to stop and escalate: If multiple networks fail or hardware diagnostics show Wi-Fi card issues.

Symptom: Mac auto-joins a weak or unwanted network

Likely causes:

Network priority list has unwanted network higher.
Auto-Join is enabled for all saved networks.
Nearby network with stronger signal but poor performance.

Safe fixes:

Reorder networks to prioritize your preferred one.
Disable Auto-Join for problematic networks.
Forget the unwanted network entirely.

When to stop and escalate: If reordering doesn't work and network selection logic seems buggy.

Symptom: Saved network list is empty or not saving

Likely causes:

System preferences file corruption.
Permission issues on user account.
macOS software glitch.

Safe fixes:

Reset network settings via Terminal (using commands like sudo networksetup -setv4off Wi-Fi).
Create a new user account to test if the issue is profile-specific.
Safe boot Mac to clear caches.

When to stop and escalate: If resetting network settings doesn't help, consider professional repair or OS reinstall.

Symptom: Connection drops frequently only on Mac

Likely causes:

Interference from other saved networks causing switches.
Power saving settings on Wi-Fi card.
Outdated network driver or firmware.

Safe fixes:

Remove unused saved networks to reduce confusion.
Adjust energy saver settings to prevent Wi-Fi sleep.
Update macOS to the latest version.

When to stop and escalate: If drops persist across different networks and locations.

Quick reference

Metric	What it means	Good range for Wi-Fi
Latency (Ping)	Time for data to travel to server and back. Lower is better.	< 50 ms
Jitter	Variation in latency. Causes audio/video glitches.	< 30 ms
Packet Loss	Percentage of data packets that fail to arrive. Should be near zero.	0%
Throughput	Actual speed of data transfer. Depends on plan and conditions.	Close to your plan's advertised speed.
Signal Strength	Power of Wi-Fi signal received. Higher (less negative) is better.	-50 dBm to -70 dBm

Setting	Safe baseline	Notes
Wi-Fi Security	WPA2/WPA3 Personal	Avoid WEP or open networks. Use strong passwords.
DNS	Automatic (router) or 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8	Public DNS can improve speed and privacy.
Router Admin	Change default login, enable updates	Prevents unauthorized access.
Guest Network	Enable for visitors, separate from main network	Isolates IoT devices for security.
Updates	Automatic for router and devices	Patches security vulnerabilities.

Mind map summary

Manage Saved Wi-Fi Networks on macOS
├── Access
│   ├── System Settings > Wi-Fi
│   ├── Advanced/Three dots button
│   └── Preferred Networks list
├── Actions
│   ├── View: See all saved networks with priority
│   ├── Forget: Select network, click minus (-)
│   ├── Reorder: Drag networks up/down
│   ├── Auto-Join: Toggle checkbox per network
│   └── Add: Click plus (+) and enter SSID
├── Troubleshooting
│   ├── Can't connect? Forget and rejoin.
│   ├── Wrong auto-join? Reorder or disable Auto-Join.
│   ├── List empty? Reset network settings.
│   └── Drops? Remove unused networks, update macOS.
└── Pro Tips
    ├── Use Terminal for batch operations
    ├── Enterprise networks may need profile removal
    ├── Changes per user account
    └── Always restart Wi-Fi after changes

Troubleshooting checklist

Device (Mac)

Wi-Fi is turned on in menu bar.
Saved network list is correct and prioritized.
No VPN or firewall blocking connection.
macOS is up to date.
Network settings reset if needed.

Router

Router is powered on and broadcasting SSID.
Network password hasn't changed.
MAC filtering not blocking your Mac.
Firmware is updated.
Channel selection is optimal (avoid congestion).

ISP & Environment

Internet service is active (check other devices).
No physical obstructions or interference.
Signal strength is adequate (-70 dBm or better).
DNS settings are correct (auto or public).
No widespread outage reported.

When to escalate

If you've tried all steps and still have issues, consider these triggers for seeking help:

Hardware failure: Wi-Fi card not detected, constant disconnections across all networks.
Persistent software bugs: Network list resets after every reboot, settings won't save.
Enterprise network complexity: Certificate-based authentication failures, profile installation errors.
Security concerns: Unauthorized networks appearing in saved list, suspected malware.

What to collect before escalating:

macOS version number (About This Mac).
List of saved networks (screenshot or text).
Router model and firmware version.
Steps you've already tried.
Error messages from console logs (if available).

FAQ

How do I see saved Wi-Fi passwords on macOS?

Go to System Settings > Passwords. Use Touch ID or your password to authenticate, then search for the network name. The password will be shown there.

Does forgetting a network on Mac forget it on other Apple devices?

No, saved networks are per device unless you use iCloud Keychain sync. With iCloud Keychain enabled, networks may sync across your Apple ID devices.

Why can't I remove a network from the saved list?

You might need administrator privileges. Also, some enterprise networks are managed by profiles; remove them in System Settings > Profiles.

How do I reset all network settings on Mac?

Delete these files in Terminal (use sudo): /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ files like com.apple.airport.preferences.plist. Backup first, as this removes all networks.

What is the priority order for auto-joining?

Networks are tried from top to bottom in the Preferred Networks list. The first available network with Auto-Join enabled will be connected.

Can I manage saved networks from the Terminal?

Yes, use networksetup commands. For example, networksetup -listpreferredwirelessnetworks Wi-Fi lists saved networks.

Why does my Mac keep joining a neighbor's network?

That network is likely in your saved list with Auto-Join enabled, and its signal is strong. Forget that network or disable Auto-Join for it.

How many networks can Mac save?

There's no strict limit, but a very long list can slow down connection attempts. Keep it under 20-30 for best performance.

Will forgetting a network affect other users on the same Mac?

Yes, if done from an admin account it may affect all users. Network settings can be system-wide or per user depending on how they were added.

How do I prevent Mac from saving new networks automatically?

Uncheck "Ask to join new networks" in Wi-Fi settings. This will prevent automatic saving when you join open networks.

Sources and references

Apple Support documentation on macOS network management.
IEEE standards for Wi-Fi security (WPA2/WPA3).
Network setup command-line guide for macOS (networksetup man pages).
General networking troubleshooting guides from reputable tech forums.
Wi-Fi Alliance best practices for home network security.
macOS user guides from authorized training materials.
Articles on iCloud Keychain and network syncing across devices.
Router manufacturer guidelines for optimal Wi-Fi settings.

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How to manage saved Wi‑Fi networks on macOS

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