How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network in Mac OS X

Once a wi-fi network has been joined in Mac OS, the Mac will default to joining that network if it’s within range and available again. This is undeniably convenient for joining our home, work, and regular wireless networks, but it can be a nuisance when the Mac rejoins a network that you no longer want to connect to. While setting the wi-fi network priority is one option, another option is to have the Mac “forget” the network, preventing it from automatically rejoining again. This is particularly helpful if you live or work within an area that has open networks available that you do not accidentally want to join.

Forgetting a wi-fi network in Mac OS X is very easy, though the option is a bit more hidden than some users may expect. Fortunately, like the iOS counterpart, learn to drop a wireless network once on the Mac and you won’t have to wonder how to do it again in the future.

Removing a Wireless Router from the Preferred Networks List in Mac OS X

This will forget the chosen wi-fi network(s), preventing the Mac from automatically joining it again when within range.

1. Pull down the Wi-Fi menu icon and choose “Open Network Preferences”, or go to the “Network” preference pane from  Apple menu and System Preferences



2. Select “Wi-Fi” from the network panel sidebar, then click the “Advanced” button in the corner



3. Go to the “Wi-Fi” tab and find the router/network to forget under the “Preferred Networks” list
4. Select the network and then choose the [-] minus button to remove (forget) the wireless network



5. Confirm to forget the wi-fi network by choosing “Remove”



6. Repeat as necessary for other wifi networks to forget
7. Click “OK”, then exit out of System Preferences, choose “Apply” if asked

Once a wireless network has been forgotten, Mac OS X will no longer join it automatically – even if it is the only network available.

If you change your mind, the forgotten network(s) can be re-joined or remembered again simply by choosing it from the wi-fi menu bar selection. You can also remove it again at anytime by repeating the same steps.

This is worthwhile to use for dropping public networks without wi-fi encryption, forcibly forgetting a dual-band router channel that has a flaky connection, and it’s also handy for when a bandwidth hungry Mac continuously joins an iPhone HotSpot that has a limited data plan just because it’s located nearby. It’s also handy if you find your Mac keeps joining a particular wi-fi access point that you no longer use, never intended to join, or just don’t want to connect to in general, perhaps a neighbors wi-fi router or an office or hotel access point that is not needed.

Though it’s fairly simple, being several layers behind preference panels has made this less-than-obvious approach to forgetting wireless networks a fairly common complaint from Windows users who have recently switched to the Mac platform. An easy way to prevent that confusion would be to add a menu bar option to drop networks from anywhere, but for now all versions of Mac OS X work as described above. That includes anything modern and old, from MacOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Snow Leopard, Tiger, just about every release of Mac OS X.

There’s also a terminal approach for forgetting wi-fi networks that’d be helpful for command line users, but that’s beyond the scope of this particular article.

If you know of another method of forgetting wi-fi routers and access points in MacOS, share with us in the comments.