How to Forget Wifi in Iphone? Remove on iPhone

Introduction

Most iPhone users connect to dozens of WiFi networks over the life of a single device. Your home network, office WiFi, your favorite coffee shop, a hotel you stayed at once, and maybe a friend’s guest network all get saved for convenience. The problem is that saved networks do not always stay useful. Passwords change, routers get replaced, and some public hotspots become unreliable or insecure. When that happens, your iPhone keeps trying to join a network it can no longer use, which can be frustrating and can even drain your battery.

If you have been searching for How to Forget Wifi in Iphone?, you are in the right place. Forgetting a WiFi network tells your iPhone to delete the saved password and stop automatically connecting to that network. It is a simple maintenance task, but many people are unsure where the option lives or what happens after they tap it.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know. You will learn exactly how to forget a WiFi network on any modern iPhone, what the difference is between disconnecting and forgetting, how to reconnect later, and when you should consider resetting all network settings instead. We also cover troubleshooting tips, best practices, and frequently asked questions so your iPhone stays connected only to the networks you actually want.

What Does It Mean to Forget a WiFi Network on iPhone?

When your iPhone joins a WiFi network for the first time, it stores the network name, also called the SSID, and the password in its system settings. The next time you are within range, iOS automatically connects without asking you to enter the password again. This is helpful for trusted networks, but it can cause problems when a network changes or when you no longer want your device to use it.

Forgetting a network removes that saved entry entirely. After you forget a network, your iPhone will:

• Stop automatically joining that network when it is in range
• Delete the saved password from your device
• Remove the network from your list of saved or known networks
• Require you to enter the password again if you want to connect in the future

It is important to understand that forgetting a network is not the same as turning off WiFi or enabling Airplane Mode. Those actions only disable the wireless radio temporarily. Forgetting is a permanent removal of a specific saved credential until you choose to add it back manually.

Why Would You Want to Forget WiFi on Your iPhone?

There are several common situations where forgetting a network makes sense. Knowing when to do it can save you from connection headaches later.

The WiFi Password Changed

If your internet service provider reset your router or someone changed the WiFi password at home, your iPhone may keep attempting to connect with the old credentials. It will fail repeatedly, which can drain battery and generate annoying connection errors. Forgetting the network clears the old password so you can enter the new one cleanly.

Security and Privacy Concerns

Public WiFi networks at airports, cafes, or hotels are convenient, but you may not want your iPhone to remember them forever. If you connected to a network at a conference or a temporary rental, forgetting it prevents your device from attempting to reconnect if you ever pass by that location again.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

Sometimes an iPhone gets stuck trying to connect to a network that is no longer broadcasting or is experiencing issues. Forgetting the network and reconnecting from scratch can resolve authentication errors, IP address conflicts, or DNS problems.

Selling or Giving Away Your iPhone

Before you sell, trade in, or give away your iPhone, you should remove saved WiFi networks—especially your home network—so the next owner cannot easily access your network credentials. While a full factory reset is the safest option, forgetting individual networks is a good step if you are only clearing specific data.

Too Many Saved Networks

Over time, the list of remembered networks can become long and messy. Forgetting networks you no longer use keeps your WiFi menu clean and makes it easier to find the networks that matter.

Before You Start: What You Should Know

Before you forget a network, keep a few things in mind so you are not caught off guard.

• You will need the password to reconnect. Once forgotten, the password is gone. If you do not know the current password, you will not be able to join the network again until you get it from the network owner.
• Forgetting on one iPhone does not forget it on other devices. Your iPad or Mac will still remember the network unless you forget it on those devices separately. If you use iCloud Keychain, some WiFi credentials may sync across Apple devices, but forgetting on one device generally removes it locally.
• Cellular data is unaffected. Turning off or forgetting WiFi does not impact your mobile data plan, though your iPhone may use more cellular data if it cannot connect to WiFi.
• You cannot forget the network you are currently using without disconnecting first. iOS will let you forget a connected network, but your iPhone will drop the connection immediately after you confirm.

How to Forget Wifi in Iphone? Step-by-Step Instructions

The process is nearly identical across recent iPhone models and iOS versions. Whether you have an iPhone SE, iPhone 11, iPhone 13, or the latest iPhone 15, the steps below will work. The screens may look slightly different depending on your iOS version, but the menu structure remains the same.

Forget WiFi Using the Settings App

This is the most reliable method and works on every iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app. Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen.
2. Tap WiFi. It is near the top of the Settings menu.
3. Make sure WiFi is turned on. The toggle should be green. If it is off, tap it to turn it on.
4. Find the network you want to forget. Under “My Networks,” you will see networks your iPhone has joined before. If you are currently connected to the network, it will have a blue checkmark.
5. Tap the information icon. Next to the network name, tap the small lowercase “i” inside a circle.
6. Tap “Forget This Network.” A red button near the top of the screen will say “Forget This Network.”
7. Confirm your choice. iOS will ask if you are sure. Tap “Forget” to remove the network and its password.

Once you confirm, the network disappears from your saved list. If you were connected to it, your iPhone will disconnect immediately.

Can You Forget WiFi from the Control Center?

Many users wonder if they can forget a network directly from the Control Center. The short answer is no. The Control Center WiFi tile lets you turn WiFi on or off, and on newer iPhones you can long-press it to see available networks, but there is no “Forget” option there. To actually remove a saved network, you must open the Settings app and follow the steps above.

You can, however, use Control Center to quickly disconnect from a network without forgetting it. Swipe down from the top-right corner, or up from the bottom on older iPhones, tap the WiFi icon to turn it off, and your iPhone will disconnect from the current network. It will still remember the password and try to reconnect later unless you forget it in Settings.

iOS Version Differences

On older versions of iOS, the path might look slightly different. For example, on iOS 12 and earlier, you might see the option listed as “Forget this Network” with slightly different capitalization. On modern iOS, such as iOS 16 and iOS 17, the layout is consistent: Settings, then WiFi, then the information icon, then Forget This Network. If you are using a very old iPhone that cannot update past iOS 10 or 11, the steps are still fundamentally the same, though the visual design will be older.

What Happens After You Forget a WiFi Network?

After you forget a network, several things change immediately:

• No automatic connection. Your iPhone will no longer join that network automatically, even if the signal is strong.
• Password removed. The saved credentials are deleted from your device.
• Network moves to “Other Networks.” If the network is still broadcasting, it may appear under a different section in your WiFi list labeled “Other Networks” or simply appear as an available network you can join manually.
• Reconnection requires manual entry. To join again, you must select the network and type the password from scratch.

If you forget your home WiFi, your iPhone may switch to cellular data or another saved network automatically. This is normal behavior.

How to Reconnect to a Forgotten WiFi Network

If you change your mind or need to rejoin a network you previously forgot, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings and tap WiFi.
2. Make sure WiFi is enabled.
3. Look for the network under “Other Networks” or in the general list of available networks.
4. Tap the network name.
5. Enter the password when prompted.
6. Tap Join.

If you do not see the network, make sure you are within range and that the router is broadcasting its SSID. Some routers hide their network names, in which case you may need to tap “Other…” and enter the network name manually.

Forgetting WiFi vs. Turning Off WiFi vs. Airplane Mode

It is easy to confuse these three options. Use this comparison table to decide which action is right for your situation.

Action	What It Does	Saved Networks	Auto-Join Stopped?	Internet Access	Best For
Forget This Network	Removes a specific saved WiFi network and its password	Removes only the selected network	Yes, for that network	Still works on other networks or cellular	Removing old, changed, or untrusted networks
Turn Off WiFi	Disables the WiFi radio entirely	Keeps all saved networks	Yes, temporarily	Cellular data still works	Saving battery or avoiding a specific network briefly
Airplane Mode	Disables WiFi, cellular, Bluetooth, and other radios	Keeps all saved networks	Yes, temporarily	No wireless internet until re-enabled	Flights, complete disconnection, or troubleshooting

Managing Saved WiFi Networks on iPhone

Forgetting is not the only way to manage saved networks. iOS offers a few other controls worth knowing about.

Disable Auto-Join Without Forgetting

If you want to keep a network saved but stop your iPhone from joining it automatically, you can disable Auto-Join:

1. Go to Settings > WiFi.
2. Tap the (i) icon next to the network.
3. Toggle off Auto-Join.

The network stays in your list, but your iPhone will not connect to it without your permission.

Renew DHCP Lease

If you are connected to a network but having internet issues, renewing the lease can help without forgetting anything:

1. Go to Settings > WiFi.
2. Tap the (i) icon next to your connected network.
3. Tap Renew Lease and confirm.

Low Data Mode

On WiFi networks you do not trust or that have data caps, you can enable Low Data Mode from the same network details screen. This reduces background activity and can help on limited connections.

Reset Network Settings: When Forgetting One Network Is Not Enough

Sometimes forgetting individual networks does not solve the problem. If your iPhone has persistent WiFi issues, cannot connect to any network, or has a long list of problematic saved networks, resetting all network settings may be the better option.

What Reset Network Settings Erases:

• All saved WiFi networks and passwords
• Cellular settings and APN configurations
• VPN settings
• Saved Bluetooth pairings in some cases

What It Does Not Erase:

• Photos, apps, messages, and personal data
• Apple ID and iCloud settings
• Media and documents

How to Reset Network Settings:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
6. Enter your passcode if prompted.
7. Tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm.

Your iPhone will restart. After it boots back up, you will need to re-enter WiFi passwords and reconfigure any VPN or cellular settings.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The “Forget This Network” Button Is Grayed Out

This usually happens if you are trying to forget a network while certain restrictions are enabled, or if the network is part of a configuration profile installed by an employer or school. Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management to see if a profile is controlling your WiFi settings.

The Network Still Appears After Forgetting

Forgetting removes the network from your saved list, but it does not hide the network from appearing in the list of available networks. If the router is still broadcasting, you will still see it under “Other Networks.” You simply will not connect automatically.

iPhone Keeps Trying to Connect to a Forgotten Network

If your iPhone still attempts to join a network you forgot, make sure you actually tapped “Forget” and not just turned off WiFi. Also check if you have multiple networks with similar names, such as “HomeWiFi” and “HomeWiFi_5G.” You may have forgotten one but not the other.

Cannot Find the Network in the List

If the network does not appear at all, it may be out of range, the router may be off, or the network name may be hidden. Move closer to the router or ask the network administrator for the exact SSID.

What If You Forget Your Home WiFi and Do Not Know the Password?

This is a common mistake. If you forget your home network and do not have the password written down, you will be locked out until you recover it. You can often find the password on a sticker on the router, in your internet provider’s app, or by logging into the router’s admin panel from a computer that is still connected. Before you forget any important network, make sure you have a way to get the password again.

Tips and Best Practices

• Forget old networks regularly. Every few months, review your saved WiFi list and remove networks you no longer use.
• Keep passwords accessible. Before you forget a network, make sure you know the password or have it stored in a password manager.
• Use “Ask to Join Networks.” In Settings > WiFi, you can toggle “Ask to Join Networks” so your iPhone prompts you before connecting to unknown networks.
• Be careful with iCloud Keychain. If you sync WiFi passwords across devices, forgetting on your iPhone may not remove it from your Mac or iPad immediately.
• Forget networks before selling your iPhone. Along with signing out of iCloud and erasing all content, forgetting your home and work networks adds a layer of privacy.
• Label your networks. If you manage multiple routers or extenders, give them distinct names so you do not forget the wrong one.
• Do not forget networks you rely on daily unless you have the password. Your home and office networks are the most important ones to keep saved.

If you only want to stop your iPhone from joining a network temporarily, turn off Auto-Join instead of forgetting the network. You can always turn it back on without needing the password again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Forgetting WiFi Delete the Password?

Yes. Forgetting a network removes the saved password from your iPhone. You will need to enter it again to reconnect.

Can I Forget a Network I Am Not Currently Connected To?

Yes. As long as the network appears in your saved list under “My Networks,” you can tap the (i) icon and forget it even if you are not actively connected.

Will Forgetting WiFi on iPhone Remove It From My Other Apple Devices?

Not necessarily. If you use iCloud Keychain, the password may still be stored on other devices signed into the same Apple ID. You should forget the network on each device individually if you want it removed everywhere.

How Do I Forget a WiFi Network Without the Password?

You do not need the password to forget a network. You only need the password if you want to join it again later.

What Is the Difference Between Disconnecting and Forgetting?

Disconnecting, or turning off WiFi, ends the current connection but keeps the password saved. Forgetting deletes the saved network and password entirely.

Can I Undo Forgetting a Network?

There is no “undo” button. Once you forget a network, you must manually rejoin it and re-enter the password.

Does Forgetting WiFi Improve Battery Life?

Indirectly, yes. If your iPhone was repeatedly trying and failing to connect to a problematic network, forgetting it can stop those background attempts and save a small amount of battery.

Is There a Limit to How Many Networks an iPhone Can Remember?

Apple does not publish a specific limit, but iPhones can store a large number of saved networks. Performance issues are rare, though a very long list can be harder to navigate.

Can I Forget a Personal Hotspot Network?

Yes. If your iPhone has connected to another iPhone’s Personal Hotspot, that network appears in your saved WiFi list just like any other network. You can forget it using the same steps.

Conclusion

Knowing How to Forget Wifi in Iphone? is a simple but valuable skill for any iPhone user. Whether you are dealing with a changed password, a public network you no longer trust, or just want to clean up your saved networks list, the process takes only a few taps in the Settings app.

Remember that forgetting is permanent for that specific network until you manually rejoin it, so make sure you have the password handy before you begin. If you are facing broader connectivity problems, consider resetting all network settings rather than forgetting networks one by one.

By staying on top of your saved WiFi networks, you can keep your iPhone connecting quickly, securely, and only to the networks you actually want to use.