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Wifi Guide

How to Forget a Wifi? Remove Saved Network

Introduction Most of us connect to dozens of WiFi networks over the years—home, office, coffee shops, airports, hotels, and friends’ houses. Your phone, laptop, or tablet remembers each one so you can reconnect automatically without typing a password every tim

HowToFixWiFi

Introduction

Most of us connect to dozens of WiFi networks over the years—home, office, coffee shops, airports, hotels, and friends’ houses. Your phone, laptop, or tablet remembers each one so you can reconnect automatically without typing a password every time. While that convenience is handy, it can also create problems. A saved network with an outdated password, a security risk from a public hotspot, or a network you no longer use can clutter your device and even interfere with connecting to the right one.

This guide walks you through exactly How to Forget a Wifi? on every major platform. Whether you are using Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone, iPad, Chrome OS, Linux, or a smart TV, you will find clear, step-by-step instructions. You will also learn why removing a saved network matters, what happens after you do it, and how to troubleshoot common issues. By the end, you will know how to remove saved networks and keep your wireless connections clean and secure.

Table of Contents

What Does It Mean to Forget a WiFi Network?

When your device connects to a WiFi network, it saves a profile. That profile includes the network name (also called the SSID), the security type, and the password. The next time you are in range, your device can join automatically without asking you to type the password again.

Forgetting a network tells your device to delete that saved profile. Once forgotten, your device will no longer automatically connect to that network. If you want to join it again, you will need to select it from the list of available networks and enter the password from scratch.

It is important to understand that forgetting a network only affects the device you are using. It does not change anything on the router, and it does not remove the network from other phones, laptops, or tablets in your home or office.

Why You Might Want to Remove a Saved Network

There are several good reasons to remove a saved WiFi profile:

  • Outdated passwords: If you changed your WiFi password but your device still tries to connect with the old one, it can cause connection loops or authentication errors.
  • Public networks: Coffee shops, airports, and hotels often use captive portals. Saving these networks means your device might try to connect automatically in the future, which can be a privacy or security concern.
  • Troubleshooting: If you cannot connect to a network you know works, removing and re-adding it can fix corrupted settings or mismatched security protocols.
  • Moving or switching providers: Old home or office networks should be removed so they do not appear in your list and confuse you.
  • Selling or giving away a device: You should forget personal networks before handing a device to someone else to protect your privacy.

How to Forget a Wifi? on Windows 10 and 11

Windows makes it fairly simple to remove a saved wireless network, though the exact path differs slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Using Settings (Windows 10 and 11)

  1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
  2. Go to Network and Internet.
  3. Select WiFi.
  4. Click on Manage known networks.
  5. Find the network you want to remove.
  6. Click Forget next to that network.

Using Control Panel (Windows 10)

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Go to Network and Sharing Center.
  3. Click Manage wireless networks on the left side.
  4. Right-click the network name.
  5. Select Remove network.

Using Command Prompt (advanced)

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Type netsh wlan show profiles to see saved networks.
  3. Type netsh wlan delete profile name="NETWORKNAME", replacing NETWORKNAME with the exact SSID.

After you forget the network, Windows will stop connecting to it automatically. You can always add it back later by selecting it from the available WiFi list and entering the password.

How to Forget a Wifi? on macOS

Mac users can remove saved networks through System Settings or System Preferences, depending on the version of macOS.

macOS Ventura and later

  1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
  2. Select WiFi from the sidebar.
  3. Click Details next to the network you want to forget.
  4. Click Remove This Network.
  5. Confirm when prompted.

macOS Monterey and earlier

  1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
  2. Open Network.
  3. Select WiFi and click Advanced.
  4. In the Preferred Networks list, select the network.
  5. Click the minus (-) button.
  6. Click OK, then Apply.

Once removed, your Mac will no longer join that network automatically. If the network is within range, it will still appear in the WiFi menu, but you will need to enter the password to connect.

How to Forget a Wifi? on Android

Android devices vary by manufacturer—Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and others may place settings in slightly different spots—but the general process is similar.

General Android steps

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Network and internet or Connections.
  3. Tap Internet or WiFi.
  4. Look for Saved networks.
  5. Tap the network name or the gear icon next to it.
  6. Tap Forget or Delete.

Samsung Galaxy devices

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Connections.
  3. Tap WiFi.
  4. Tap the gear icon next to the connected network, or tap Saved networks.
  5. Select Forget.

After forgetting, the network disappears from your saved list. Your phone will not attempt to join it when you are nearby.

How to Forget a Wifi? on iPhone and iPad

Apple makes this process straightforward on iOS and iPadOS.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap WiFi.
  3. Find the network in the list. If you are connected, tap the blue (i) icon next to it. If it is not connected, look under the My Networks section and tap the (i) icon.
  4. Tap Forget This Network.
  5. Confirm by tapping Forget again.

The network is removed immediately. Your iPhone or iPad will not auto-join it anymore. If you use iCloud Keychain, the network may also be removed from other Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID, depending on your sync settings.

How to Forget a Wifi? on Other Devices

Not every device has a full desktop-style operating system, but most still let you manage saved wireless networks.

Chrome OS

  1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner to open the Quick Settings panel.
  2. Select the WiFi icon or go to Settings > Network.
  3. Find the WiFi network under Known networks.
  4. Click the network and choose Remove or Forget.

Linux

Linux distributions vary widely. On Ubuntu with GNOME, open Settings > WiFi, click the gear icon next to a known network, and remove it. On the command line, you can use nmcli connection delete "SSID" or nmtui to manage connections.

Smart TVs and Streaming Devices

Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and smart televisions usually store WiFi credentials under Settings > Network. Because interfaces differ, you may need to select the current network and choose Forget, or perform a full network reset to clear all saved networks at once. Check your device manual for the exact menu path.

Comparison Table: Forgetting WiFi Across Devices

The table below summarizes how the process differs across popular platforms.

Device / OS Where to Find the Option Typical Steps Difficulty
Windows 10/11 Settings > Network and Internet > WiFi > Manage known networks 5–6 clicks Easy
macOS System Settings > WiFi > Details > Remove This Network 4–5 clicks Easy
Android Settings > Network and internet > Internet > Saved networks 4–6 taps Easy
iPhone/iPad Settings > WiFi > (i) icon > Forget This Network 4 taps Very Easy
Chrome OS Settings > Network > Known networks 3–4 clicks Easy
Linux Settings > WiFi or terminal (nmcli) Varies by distribution Moderate
Smart TV / Streaming Settings > Network > WiFi Varies by brand Moderate

What Happens After You Forget a Network?

After you forget a WiFi network, several things change on your device:

  • Automatic reconnection stops. Your device will not join that network even if it is in range.
  • The password is deleted. You must re-enter it to connect again.
  • The network may still appear in the list of available networks, but it will not be marked as saved or known.
  • Other devices are unaffected. Forgetting a network on your phone does not remove it from your laptop or tablet.
  • The router is unaffected. No settings on the access point are changed.

If you forget your home network by accident, do not panic. Simply select it from the available WiFi list and type in your password to reconnect.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes forgetting a network does not work as expected. Here are common problems and how to fix them.

The network still appears in the list

This is normal. Forgetting removes the saved profile, but the network is still broadcasting. It will show up as an available network; it just will not connect automatically.

The Forget option is missing or greyed out

This can happen on managed devices, such as work laptops or school tablets, where an administrator controls network settings. You may need to contact IT support.

The device reconnects anyway

If your phone or laptop rejoins a network you forgot, cloud sync may be restoring the profile. Check iCloud Keychain on Apple devices or Google account sync on Android. You may need to forget the network on every synced device.

You forgot the wrong network

There is no undo button for forgetting. You will have to find the network again and re-enter the password.

Tips and Best Practices for Managing Saved WiFi Networks

Keeping your saved network list clean can improve security and reduce connection headaches. Follow these best practices:

  • Audit your saved networks every few months. Remove networks you no longer use, such as former workplaces or old apartments.
  • Forget public WiFi networks after you leave. This prevents your device from automatically connecting to a network with the same name in the future, which could be a security risk.
  • Use a strong, unique password for your home network, and save it in a password manager so you do not have to rely on memory if you forget the network.
  • Before selling or recycling a device, forget all personal networks and sign out of accounts. This protects your privacy.
  • If you travel often, consider forgetting hotel networks after checkout. Hotel WiFi names are often generic, and you do not want your device trying to join an unrelated network with a similar name.
  • On devices that support it, enable private MAC address or randomized MAC features. This adds a layer of privacy when connecting to public networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will forgetting a WiFi network turn off my internet?

No. Forgetting a network only removes that specific saved profile. Your internet connection will continue to work on other networks, and you can reconnect to the forgotten network anytime by re-entering the password.

Can I recover a forgotten WiFi password?

No. Once you forget a network, the password is deleted from your device. You will need to obtain the password again from the router label, the network administrator, or your own records.

Does forgetting a network on one device remove it from all my devices?

No. Saved WiFi profiles are stored locally on each device. Forgetting a network on your phone does not forget it on your laptop, unless you use a sync service like iCloud Keychain and have it configured to remove across devices.

Is forgetting a network the same as resetting network settings?

No. Forgetting removes one specific network. Resetting network settings wipes all saved WiFi networks, Bluetooth pairings, VPN configurations, and cellular settings at once.

Can I forget a network I am currently connected to?

Yes. On most devices, you can forget a network even while connected. You will be disconnected immediately and will need to re-enter the password to join again.

How do I forget a hidden WiFi network?

Hidden networks still appear in your saved networks list if you have connected to them before. Follow the same steps for your device to find and remove the hidden network from the saved list.

Conclusion

Knowing How to Forget a Wifi? is a simple but valuable digital skill. Whether you are troubleshooting a stubborn connection, protecting your privacy on public hotspots, or cleaning up your device before passing it to someone else, removing saved networks helps you stay in control of your wireless connections.

Take a few minutes to review the networks saved on your phone, laptop, and tablet. Remove anything outdated or unnecessary, and you will enjoy a cleaner, safer, and more reliable wireless experience.