How to Forget a WiFi Network on a Mac: A Complete Guide

macOS is known for its stability and usability, but even it can experience issues with network connections. Users often encounter a situation where their laptop can't connect to the router, even though the internet works perfectly on other devices. In such cases, the most effective solution is to forcefully disconnect from the access point and delete any saved data about it from the system's memory.

The process of "forgetting" a network is necessary when the router's security settings have been changed, for example, by setting a new password or changing the encryption type. The computer continues to attempt to use the old credentials, resulting in endless login attempts and errors. Deleting the network profile forces macOS to re-request the latest credentials, which often resolves the issue immediately.

In this article, we'll cover all known methods for deleting Wi-Fi profiles on different operating system versions. We'll cover everything from standard interface settings to deep cleaning of system keys, which may be necessary in complex cases. Careful adherence to instructions will help restore stable internet access in minutes.

Removing a network through System Preferences in newer versions of macOS

Owners of modern Apple computers running macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or Sequoia will notice that the Settings interface has undergone significant changes. It now resembles the mobile version of iOS, making navigation easier but potentially confusing for those accustomed to the classic window interface. To delete a network, open the System Preferences menu via the apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen.

Go to the section Wi-Fi in the sidebar. Here you'll see a list of known networks. Find the desired access point in the list or click the "Details" button next to an active connection. In the list of known networks that opens, find the one you want to remove, click the three dots to the right of the name, and select "Forget this network."

If you want to delete multiple profiles at once or don't see the network you need in the quick access menu, you can use the advanced menu. Click the "Other Networks" button or find the "Advanced" button (if available in your interface version). In the window that opens, select a network from the list of known ones and click the delete button (minus).

• 📡 Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
• 🗑️ Find the Wi-Fi section and go to known networks.
• 🔘 Click on the information icon or three dots next to the name.
• ✅ Select "Forget this network" to confirm.

After completing these steps, the system will immediately forget the password and configuration settings for the selected access point. The next time you connect, you'll be prompted to re-enter the password. This ensures that old, possibly incorrect, settings don't conflict with the router's current settings.

The classic removal method for macOS Monterey and later

For users who haven't updated to the latest operating system versions or prefer the classic interface, the procedure is slightly different. In macOS Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, and earlier versions, network settings are located in a separate system module. This is a time-tested method that works reliably on millions of devices.

Open System Preferences and find the Network icon. Select Wi-Fi from the list on the left. At the bottom of the window or in the lower-right corner (depending on your macOS version), you'll find the Advanced button. This is where you'll find a complete list of all the networks your computer has ever connected to.

⚠️ Note: In older versions of macOS, the list of networks can be very long. Be careful when deleting to avoid accidentally deleting the profile of a corporate network or home hotspot you plan to use in the future.

In the window that opens, go to the Wi-Fi tab. You'll see a table with network names (SSIDs). Select the network you don't need and click the minus button below the list. Afterward, be sure to click "OK" in the lower-right corner to apply the changes and save the new configuration file.

System path: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Wi-Fi (tab)

This method allows you to not only delete but also prioritize networks. If you have two routers at home with the same name but different bands (2.4 and 5 GHz), you can drag the preferred network higher in the list. However, to completely resolve connection issues, it's best to completely delete the profile and create it again.

Why might the network not be deleted?

Sometimes the system blocks deleting an active network. In this case, first disable Wi-Fi completely, then try deleting the profile from the list of known networks. If this doesn't help, you'll need to reset the device via the terminal or keychain.

Resetting Settings via iCloud Keychain

Sometimes standard methods fail due to data desync between local storage and iCloud. In macOS, Wi-Fi passwords are stored in the secure Keychain vault. If a keychain entry is corrupted or locked, the system may ignore the delete command through the interface. In this case, you'll need to find and delete the keychain entry manually.

Open the Keychain Access app. You can find it using Spotlight search (Cmd + Space) and typing the app's name. In the left column, select the "Passwords" category. In the list on the right, find the name of your Wi-Fi network. It may appear multiple times if you connected to it with different security types.

Select all entries related to the problematic network and press Delete on your keyboard or select Delete from the menu. The system will ask you to confirm the action; you may need to enter your administrator password or use Touch ID. After deleting the entries, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

This method is the most thorough and effective for resolving authorization issues. It removes not only the connection settings but also the password itself, ensuring a complete reset. Use this method if other methods have failed.

Using the terminal for advanced users

For those who prefer the command line or don't have access to a graphical interface, macOS provides powerful network management tools via Terminal. Commands allow you to delete network profiles, reset services, and update configurations without rebooting. This method requires precision in command entry.

Open the Terminal app. To remove a preferred network (the one you are currently connected to or the one with the highest priority), use the command networksetupHowever, deleting a specific network by name will require more complex syntax or deleting all preferred networks.

To delete a specific network, you can use the following command, replacing "Network_Name" with the actual name of your Wi-Fi:

networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 "NetworkName"

Here en0 — This is the standard designation for a wireless interface on a Mac. If you have multiple interfaces (for example, if you're using an external adapter), the number may differ (en1). You can find the exact interface name using the command networksetup -listallhardwareports.

• 💻 Open Terminal via Search or Programs.
• ⌨️ Enter the delete command with the exact network name.
• 🔍 Check the interface name if the command does not work.
• 🔄 Restart the network service with the command sudo ifconfig en0 down And up.

⚠️ Warning: Use caution when using the terminal. Entering commands incorrectly may reset other network settings. Copy commands carefully and check network names.

After executing the command, the system will confirm the deletion or report an error if the network is not found in the preferred list. This method is especially useful for system administrators managing a fleet of Mac computers remotely.

Completely reset network settings and create a new location

In the most extreme cases, when nothing else helps, you can take a radical approach: create a new "Location" in the network settings. This essentially creates a new network environment configuration from scratch, ignoring old, possibly corrupted, configuration files.

Go to System Preferences → Network. At the top of the window (or in the Edit menu on older macOS versions), find Locations and select Edit Locations. Create a new location, naming it something like NewConfig.

After creating and switching to the new location, all old Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and DNS settings will be reset for this profile. You'll have to reconfigure your internet connection, but this is guaranteed to resolve any software conflicts in your network stack.

This method often helps when connection issues are system-related and aren't resolved by simply removing the password. It returns the macOS network module to its "as is" state after the system was installed.

Common problems and solutions after deleting a network

After you've forgotten a network, your computer may behave differently. Sometimes it immediately begins searching for available networks and prompts you to reconnect. In other cases, manual intervention is required. It's important to understand that deleting a profile is only the first step.

If the network doesn't appear in the list of available networks after deleting it, check that the Wi-Fi module is enabled. Sometimes, simply toggling the Wi-Fi switch from "Off" and back helps. It's also worth making sure the router is broadcasting a signal and hasn't hidden the SSID.

If your Mac sees the network but won't connect even after entering the correct password, the issue may be with your router's security settings. Make sure you're using a supported standard (WPA2/WPA3) and frequency. Changing the router's broadcast channel can sometimes help.

Please note that after deleting a network, macOS will no longer automatically connect to it. If you are within range of this access point, you will need to manually select it from the list and enter the password. This is normal system behavior after a reset.

Why doesn't my Mac forget the network after deleting it?

This may be due to iCloud syncing. If the network is saved on another device (iPhone or iPad), it may automatically reappear in the list. To avoid this, remove the network on all devices associated with the same Apple ID or temporarily disable Keychain syncing.

Will the network be removed from my other Apple devices?

Yes, if iCloud Keychain is enabled. Deleting a network on one device may delete it on others, as Wi-Fi passwords are synced between devices using the same Apple ID. Be careful if you want to maintain access to your network on other devices.

How to find the network name (SSID) if it is hidden?

If a network is hidden, it won't appear in the general list. However, if you've previously connected to it, it will appear in the list of known networks. You can view your connection history in Terminal, but to reconnect to a hidden network, you need to know the exact name and select "Other..." in the Wi-Fi menu.

Is it possible to restore a deleted network without entering a password?

No, if you forget the network, the password is deleted from memory. To reconnect, you'll need to re-enter the password. If you don't remember the password, you can find it in Keychain (if it was previously synced and you haven't deleted it) or look on the router's sticker.