Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Mac: Step-by-Step

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on a Mac removes its saved password and settings, so your Mac will no longer automatically join that network. This is useful when you want to stop connecting to a public or old network, or when you need to re-enter the password to fix a connection issue. You only need your Mac’s administrator password if you’re using the Keychain Access method; the standard System Settings method requires no special credentials.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Ventura (13) or later for the System Settings method, or macOS Monterey (12) or earlier for System Preferences.
• Your Mac’s login password (only if you use the Keychain Access method to delete the saved password).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using System Settings (macOS Ventura and later)

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. In the left sidebar, click Wi-Fi.
4. Scroll down to the section labeled Known Networks. This lists all the Wi-Fi networks your Mac has saved.
5. Find the network you want to forget. You can hover over it and click the ⋯ (ellipsis) button that appears on the right, or simply click the network name once to select it.
6. Click Forget This Network in the pop-up menu or the button that appears.
7. Confirm by clicking Forget in the dialog box. The network is now removed from your saved networks.

Method 2: Using System Preferences (macOS Monterey and earlier)

1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
2. Click Network.
3. In the left panel, select Wi-Fi (it may be listed as “AirPort� on older systems).
4. Click the Advanced button in the lower-right corner.
5. A window titled “Wi-Fi� opens, listing your preferred networks. Find the network you want to remove.
6. Select the network by clicking on it once.
7. Click the minus (−) button below the list.
8. Click Remove to confirm, then click OK and Apply to save your changes.

Method 3: Directly from the Wi-Fi Menu (Quick Way)

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar (top-right of your screen).
2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
3. Look for the network you want to forget in the list of available networks. If it’s not currently in range, you won’t see it here – this method only works for networks that are currently visible.
4. Hold down the Option (⌥) key on your keyboard. The Wi-Fi menu will change, and you’ll see a “Forget� option appear next to the network name.
5. Click Forget next to the network. Confirm if prompted.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking the network instead of the ellipsis: In System Settings, simply clicking the network name may just expand details. You need to click the ⋯ button or right-click the network to see the “Forget� option.
• Forgetting the wrong network: With many saved networks, it’s easy to pick a similarly named one (e.g., “Home_5G� vs. “Home�). Double-check the network name before confirming.
• Turning off Wi-Fi instead: Toggling Wi-Fi off does not forget the network; it only disconnects temporarily. You must go into the known networks list to actually remove it.
• Not applying changes in older macOS: In System Preferences, if you forget to click “Apply,� the network may still be saved.
• Assuming forgetting also removes the password from Keychain: The standard methods usually remove the password, but if you used a configuration profile or the network was added manually, the password might linger in Keychain Access. See Troubleshooting below.

Tips

• Use the Option-click trick for speed: The Option-click method on the Wi-Fi menu is the fastest way to forget a network you’re currently connected to or one that’s in range.
• Rejoin a forgotten network: To reconnect later, just click the network in the Wi-Fi menu and enter the password again. Your Mac will save it as a new known network.
• Forget multiple networks: In System Settings, you can hold Command (⌘) and click multiple networks in the list, then click the ellipsis to forget them all at once (this works in most versions).
• Check your network list periodically: Over time, your Mac accumulates many saved networks. Cleaning them out can prevent it from automatically joining weak or unwanted networks.
• If you’re troubleshooting a connection: Forgetting the network and re-entering the password is often the first step to fix a “wrong password� or “connection failed� error, especially after the router password has been changed.

Troubleshooting

“Forget This Network� is grayed out or not showing

• Make sure you are looking at the correct list. In System Settings, it’s under Wi-Fi → Known Networks. In older macOS, it’s under Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced.
• If you’re using the Wi-Fi menu method, ensure you’re holding the Option key before clicking the Wi-Fi icon. The “Forget� option only appears while Option is held.
• If the network is managed by a configuration profile (e.g., from your school or employer), you cannot forget it through the normal UI. You’ll need to remove the profile in System Settings → General → Profiles (or System Preferences → Profiles), or contact your IT administrator.

The network still appears after forgetting

• Try restarting your Mac. Sometimes the Wi-Fi list refreshes slowly.
• If the network appears again after a reboot, it might be saved in your iCloud Keychain. Go to System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Passwords & Keychain (or System Preferences → Apple ID → iCloud → Keychain) and toggle off “Sync this Mac� temporarily, or use Keychain Access to delete the entry (see next).

How to delete the saved password from Keychain Access

1. Open Keychain Access (found in Applications → Utilities, or via Spotlight).
2. In the search box, type the name of the Wi-Fi network.
3. Look for an entry that says “AirPort Network Password� or “Wi-Fi Network Password.�
4. Right-click the entry and select Delete.
5. Enter your Mac’s administrator password when prompted.
6. Restart your Mac to ensure the change takes effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will forgetting a Wi-Fi network also disconnect me from it right now?

Yes. If you are currently connected to that network, your Mac will disconnect immediately after you confirm the “Forget� action.

Do I need the network’s password to forget it?

No. Forgetting only removes the saved network from your Mac’s list. You do not need to know the password to perform this action.

Can I forget a network that is not currently in range?

Yes. Using System Settings or System Preferences, you can forget any network that appears in your “Known Networks� list, even if it’s out of range. The Wi-Fi menu method only works for networks that are currently visible.

After forgetting, will my Mac automatically rejoin the network if it’s in range?

No. Once forgotten, your Mac will not automatically join that network. You’ll need to manually select it and enter the password again to reconnect.

Does forgetting a network affect other devices on my Apple ID?

No. Forgetting a network on one Mac only affects that Mac. However, if you have iCloud Keychain enabled, the saved password may still sync to other devices. Deleting the network from one device does not remove it from others automatically.

What if the network is a hidden network?

Hidden networks still appear in your Known Networks list once you’ve joined them at least once. You can forget them the same way as any other network.

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