Whether you have shared your Wi-Fi password with someone and want to revoke access or you simply forgot the Wi-Fi password, there can be multiple reasons for wanting to forget Wi-Fi passwords on MacBook. In such cases, deleting the saved Wi-Fi password on Mac could be the solution.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
– A MacBook
– Admin credentials for your MacBook
What Should I Pay Attention to?
– Forgetting a Wi-Fi password will delete it permanently from your MacBook.
– You will need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password if you want to connect to the network again.
– Forgetting a Wi-Fi password will also erase any associated network settings.
Method 1: Forget Wi-Fi Password using Network Preferences
1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select "Open Network Preferences."
2. Click on the Advanced button in the bottom right corner.
3. From the list of Wi-Fi networks, select the one whose password you want to forget and click on the "-" button located below the list.
4. Click on "OK" and then "Apply" to save your changes.
Pros
– This method is easy and quick.
– No additional software or tools are required.
Cons
– It will delete all associated network settings.
– You won’t be able to connect to the forgotten Wi-Fi network until you enter its password again.
Method 2: Forget Wi-Fi Password using Keychain Access
1. Open the Spotlight search bar and type "Keychain Access".
2. Select the application from the search results to open it.
3. In the search field, type the name of the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to forget.
4. Double-click on the Wi-Fi network to open its settings.
5. Click on the "Show password" box and enter your admin credentials when prompted.
6. The password for the Wi-Fi network will be displayed. Delete it, and then click on "Save changes."
Pros
– You can retrieve passwords for multiple Wi-Fi networks using Keychain Access.
– You won’t need to re-enter the password to connect to the Wi-Fi network again.
Cons
– You need admin credentials to access Keychain Access.
– This method may not work if you have changed or updated the Wi-Fi password.
Method 3: Forget a Wi-Fi Password using Terminal
1. Open Terminal, which is in "Applications > Utilities."
2. Type "security delete-generic-password -a Wi-Fi SSID" (without the quotes), replacing "Wi-Fi SSID" with the name of the Wi-Fi network whose password you want to forget.
3. Press "Enter" and enter your admin credentials when prompted.
Pros
– This method is quick and easy.
– It doesn’t require additional software or tools.
Cons
– It can be risky to use Terminal if you’re not familiar with the commands.
– You won’t be able to connect to the forgotten Wi-Fi network until you enter its password again.
Why Can’t I Forget Wifi Password on MacBook: Reasons and Fixes
1. You don’t have admin permissions.
Fix: Make sure you have admin permissions, or ask someone with admin permissions to help you forget the Wi-Fi password.
2. Wi-Fi connection is still active.
Fix: Disconnect from the Wi-Fi network before trying to forget the Wi-Fi password.
3. Wi-Fi settings are corrupted.
Fix: Reset your Wi-Fi settings to default and try again.
Suggestions
– Use a password manager to securely store all your Wi-Fi passwords.
– Regularly update the passwords for your Wi-Fi networks to ensure security.
– If you frequently forget Wi-Fi passwords, consider using a password manager app.
FAQs
Q: Will forgetting a Wi-Fi password delete other saved passwords on my MacBook?
A: No, forgetting a Wi-Fi password will only delete the password for the Wi-Fi network you selected.
Q: How can I retrieve a forgotten Wi-Fi password?
A: You can use Terminal or KeyChain Access to retrieve the forgotten password. Alternatively, you can contact your Internet Service Provider or Wi-Fi network administrator to retrieve the password.
Q: Will resetting my Wi-Fi settings delete all the saved Wi-Fi passwords on my MacBook?
A: Yes, resetting Wi-Fi settings to default will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords on your MacBook.
Q: Can I forget Wi-Fi passwords on my iPhone or iPad?
A: Yes, you can follow similar steps to forget Wi-Fi passwords on your iPhone or iPad. Go to "Settings > Wi-Fi > Your Wi-Fi network > Forget this network."
Q: How can I make sure my Wi-Fi network is secure?
A: Make sure to set a strong password for your Wi-Fi network and regularly update it. Also, consider using WPA2 security protocol and disabling WPS functionality.