Changing providers or moving to a new office often means having to forget about old access points. Deleting a Wi-Fi network On Apple laptops, this procedure is necessary to prevent the device from automatically attempting to connect to a broken or slow router. In macOS, wireless connection management is logically implemented, but has its own peculiarities depending on the version.
Users often encounter a situation where their laptop stubbornly clings to a weak signal instead of switching to a stable network with better coverage. This happens because the system stores a list of preferred networks in a specific order. macOS will always try to connect you to the first available network from the "Known Networks" list, ignoring others, even if their signal is stronger.
In this guide, we'll cover how to effectively clear the connection list, reset priorities, and fix errors that interfere with internet performance. You'll learn how to manage connections both through the graphical interface and the terminal, which is especially useful when diagnosing complex network issues.
Why you should delete old Wi-Fi networks
Accumulating dozens of saved connection profiles isn't just a cluttered mess, it's also a potential source of security and stability issues. When your MacBook It scans the airwaves and compares the signals it finds with its database. If a network with the same name as a public hotspot at a cafe or airport is on the priority list, the device may attempt to connect to it automatically, creating the risk of data interception.
Additionally, deleting old profiles can help resolve issues with constant connection drops. Sometimes the network configuration can become corrupted or outdated, especially if you've changed your router but kept the same network name (SSID). In this case, the laptop tries to apply old encryption settings or passwords, leading to an endless connection loop.
⚠️ Important: Before deleting a network, make sure you have the current password if you plan to connect to it again. Once deleted, the access key is permanently erased from your device's memory.
Another reason is privacy. Deleting networks you've used while visiting or in public places prevents you from automatically connecting to them in the future. This is especially important for open networks that can mimic legitimate access points.
Deleting a network in macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and later
In the latest versions of the operating system, Apple has radically changed the interface of the system settings, making it similar to the interface of the iPhone and iPad. To delete a network in macOS Ventura or newer versions, you must follow a new algorithm of actions.
Open the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select System PreferencesIn the sidebar, find the section Wi-FiHere you'll see the current connection status and a list of known networks. Find the desired network in the list or click the "More" button (or the three-dot icon) next to the active connection to see the full list.
Hover over the name of the network you want to delete. An icon with three dots in a circle will appear to the right of the name. Click it and select the option from the drop-down menu. "Forget this network"The system will ask you to confirm this action, as this will delete the saved password.
☑️ The deletion algorithm in the new macOS
If the network isn't in the active list, scroll down to the "Known Networks" section. You can manage all saved profiles there. Once you delete the network, it will disappear from memory, and your MacBook will no longer attempt to connect to it automatically when in range.
Managing Networks in macOS Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina
In versions of the operating system prior to Ventura, the network management interface looked different and was more detailed. Users macOS Monterey, Big Sur or Catalina You must use the classic preferences window.
Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Open Wi-Fi settings or go through System Preferences -> NetIn the left column, select the Wi-Fi interface, and then click the button Additionally... (Advanced) in the lower right corner of the window. A detailed configuration window will open.
Go to the tab Wi-FiHere you will see a list of all networks your computer has ever connected to. Select the network you don't need and click the minus button (-) below the list. To apply the changes, be sure to click the button OK, and then Apply in the main settings window.
⚠️ Note: In older versions of macOS, changes do not take effect immediately. If you forget to click "Apply," all removed networks will return to the list after a reboot.
This method also allows you to change the priority order. By dragging networks up or down in the list, you can tell the system which access point to connect to first if multiple known signals are available.
Using the terminal for advanced users
For those who prefer the command line or encounter graphical interface bugs, there is a powerful tool - networksetupThis method allows you to delete networks even if they are not displayed in the standard menu, or to automate the cleaning process.
Open the app Terminal (can be found via Spotlight by clicking Cmd + Space). First, it's helpful to know the exact name of your Wi-Fi adapter. Enter the command:
networksetup -listallhardwareportsIn the command output, look for the line containing "Wi-Fi." The device is usually simply called Wi-Fi, but on some models MacBook Pro or Mac Mini it may have a name en0 or en1. Remember or copy this name.
To delete a specific network, use the following construction, replacing "Network_Name" with the actual name of your Wi-Fi hotspot:
sudo networksetup -removenetworkpassword "NetworkName" Wi-FiThe system will request an administrator password to confirm the action. This method is especially effective when quickly clearing a list of dozens of test networks accumulated over the course of an IT specialist's work.
What to do if the command fails?
If the terminal reports "Network service not found," check the exact interface name with the listallhardwareports command. Sometimes the Wi-Fi adapter may be disabled at the system level, in which case it must first be enabled through the settings or the networksetup -setnetworkserviceenabled "Wi-Fi" on command.
Reset network settings and access keys
Sometimes simply deleting a network isn't enough, especially if authentication errors or problems obtaining an IP address are occurring. In these cases, it's recommended to perform a deeper cleanup or a full reset of network settings. This will restore the Wi-Fi configuration to factory defaults.
macOS doesn't have a single "Reset Network" button like iOS, but you can delete key configuration files manually. To do this, open Finder, click Cmd + Shift + G and enter the path:
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/In the folder that opens, find files with the following names com.apple.airport.preferences.plist, com.apple.network.identification.plist And com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plistDeleting these files will force the system to recreate them the next time you reboot, which often resolves issues with stuck networks.
| Configuration file | What is it responsible for? | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|
| com.apple.airport.preferences.plist | Stores a list of known networks and passwords | Low (networks will be removed) |
| com.apple.network.identification.plist | Network identification and proxy settings | Short |
| com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist | Connection error logs | Absent |
| preferences.plist | General network interface settings | Average (IP reset) |
After deleting the files, be sure to restart your computer. When you first start macOS, it will detect the missing configuration files and create new, clean versions. You'll need to re-enter the passwords for your home and work networks.
Troubleshooting connection priorities
A common problem for users MacBook — the device ignores the network with the best signal, clinging to the weaker one. This is solved not by deleting them, but by properly sorting them. In macOS, priority is determined by the order of networks in the "Known" list.
In older versions of macOS, this was done by dragging and dropping in the Advanced Preferences window. In newer versions, macOS The algorithm has become smarter: the system itself evaluates the signal quality, but if you frequently connect to a certain network, it may increase in priority.
To ensure your laptop forgets its priorities, you can delete all networks at once via the terminal or use a configuration profile. However, the easiest way is to delete the problematic network and reconnect to it when you're directly next to the router.
If you use the same network name (SSID) for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, your MacBook may get confused. Separating the network names on your router (e.g., "Home_24" and "Home_5") will help the system clearly understand which frequency to connect to and simplify priority management.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to delete the Wi-Fi network I'm currently connected to?
Yes, you can delete the current network. However, the connection will be lost immediately. If you don't have another internet source (such as Ethernet or phone tethering), you'll lose access to the network. To reconnect, you'll need to enter the password again.
Where are passwords for remote Wi-Fi networks stored?
Passwords are stored in iCloud Keychain. If you delete a network on one device and use the same Apple ID account, it may be deleted on other devices (iPhone, iPad) as well. You can check your saved passwords in the Keychain Access app.
Why does my MacBook connect to my neighbor's network with the same name?
This happens if your neighbors have a router with a factory name (e.g., "TP-LINK_2304") and you've ever connected to a similar device. To avoid this, always change the default network name (SSID) to a unique one when setting up your own router.
How to delete a hidden Wi-Fi network?
Hidden networks are not displayed in the list of available networks, but are saved in memory. They can only be deleted through the "Other..." menu when connecting (select "Forget") or through the terminal using the command networksetup, specifying the exact name of the hidden network.