How to completely forget a Wi-Fi network on a MacBook: all the methods

Interesting fact: In macOS Ventura and later, Apple added a "Private Wi-Fi Address" feature (private MAC address), which can conflict with older router settings, causing the device to become stuck on one network.If you encounter this problem, try disabling this option in your network settings.

Method 1: Deleting a network via System Preferences (the easiest)

This method works on all versions macOS from Catalina (10.15) to Sonoma (14.x) and is suitable for most users. Here's how to forget a Wi-Fi network in 3 steps:

1. Open System Preferences (gear icon in Dock or through the menu Apple → System Preferences).

2. Go to the section Net → Wi-Fi (in the side menu). Click the button Additionally… in the lower right corner.

3. In the window that opens, find the tab Wi-Fi (or Net in older versions). In the list Preferred networks select the desired network, click – (minus) and confirm deletion.

After this the network will disappear from the list, but the password may remain in Keychain — we will talk about this in the next section.

⚠️ Attention: If the network still appears in the list after a reboot, it may mean that it is saved in Keychain or its settings are cached in a file /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plistSolutions are in methods 3 and 4.

Method 2: Removing the password from Keychain Access (if the network is not forgotten)

Keychain Access - is a system password storage in macOS, where the data for automatic Wi-Fi connections is saved. Even if you've deleted the network through System Preferences, her password can stay here, which will lead to automatic connection.

To completely erase your network trace:

1. Open the app Keychain Access (find through Spotlight by searching for "Keychain" or in the folder Utilities).

2. In the left column, select System (or Local elements), and in the category - Passwords.

3. In the search bar, enter the name of the Wi-Fi network. Look for an entry with the type AirPort network password (or Wi-Fi password in new versions).

4. Right-click on the entry and select DeleteConfirm the action by entering the administrator password.

If the entry is not deleted or an error appears "The element cannot be modified.", try:

• 🔓 Unlock your keychain (lock icon in the upper left corner).
• 🔄 Reboot MacBook and try again.
• 🛠️ Use Terminal (method 4).

security dump-keychain -d login.keychain

Method 3: Reset network settings (if nothing helps)

If MacBook stubbornly "remembers" the network despite all manipulations, you will have to reset the network settings completelyThis is a radical method that will remove all saved Wi-Fi networks, VPNs, proxies, and individual settings (for example, static IP or DNS).

Instructions:

1. Close all applications that use the Internet (browsers, instant messengers, cloud services).

2. Open Terminal (through Spotlight or folder Utilities).

3. Enter the command one by one (press after each one) Enter):

   sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist
   sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
   sudo rm /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist

4. Reboot MacBookAfter turning on, the network settings will be reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Important: After the reset you will have to do it again:

• 🌐 Connect to all Wi-Fi networks (including your home network).
• ⚙️ Set up a VPN or proxy (if used).
• 🔧 Enter static IP/DNS (if they were set manually).

⚠️ Attention: On some corporate or educational networks (e.g. with 802.1X (Authentication) After the reset, you may need to reinstall security certificates. Check with your network administrator for details.

Method 4: Deleting a network via Terminal (for advanced users)

If the GUI doesn't work, You can delete a Wi-Fi network using the command TerminalThis method is suitable for macOS Monterey and newer ones, where standard methods sometimes fail.

Open Terminal and run:

1. View a list of all saved networks:

   networksetup -listpreferredwirelessnetworks en0

   (Where en0 - Wi-Fi interface; if it doesn't work, try en1).

2. Delete the desired network (replace NAZVANIE_SETI in her name):

   sudo networksetup -removepreferredwirelessnetwork en0 "NAZVANIE_SETI"

3. Remove the password from Keychain (if any remain):

   security delete-generic-password -a "$(whoami)" -s "NAZVANIE_SETI" -D "AirPort network password"

If the command returns an error Could not find network, check:

• 🔤 Correctness of the network name (case is important!).
• 🔌 Is the Wi-Fi adapter connected? (en0 or en1).
• 🛡️ Administrator rights (commands with sudo require a password).

Method 5: Manually editing settings files (expert level)

In rare cases (for example, after a crash macOS or data migration from another Mac) Wi-Fi settings may be stuck in configuration filesThey can be edited manually, but this requires care.

Files responsible for Wi-Fi settings:

To clear settings:

1. Make a backup copy of your files (copy them to another folder).

2. Delete the files com.apple.airport.preferences.plist And NetworkInterfaces.plist (requires administrator rights).

3. Reboot MacBookThe files will be recreated with factory settings.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of these files may result in loss of all network connections or errors in work macOSIf you are not sure, use method 3 (reset via Terminal).

Common problems and their solutions

Even after deleting the network, users still encounter common errors. Let's look at the most common ones:

1. The network appears in the list again after a reboot

Cause: Cache macOS or data in Keychain.

Solution:

• 🔄 Repeat deletion after Keychain Access (method 2).
• 🧹 Clear the network cache with the command:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

2. MacBook won't connect to a new network with the same name

Cause: Conflict MAC addresses or old settings DHCP.

Solution:

• 🔧 Reboot your router.
• 📱 On MacBook execute:

sudo ifconfig en0 down && sudo ifconfig en0 up

• 🔄 Disable the option Private Wi-Fi Address in the network settings.

3. Error "Unable to connect to the network" after uninstallation

Cause: Corrupted settings DNS or IP.

Solution:

• 🔄 Reset DNS cache:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

• 📡 Switch to DHCP in the Wi-Fi settings (if static was set IP).

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions