How to Forget a WiFi Network on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows

Your device remembers every WiFi network you’ve ever joined, and that’s usually helpful — until it isn’t. Maybe you typed the wrong password and now you’re stuck in a failed authentication loop. Maybe your phone keeps jumping to a weak hotel network instead of your home one. Or maybe you just want to clean up a list of hundreds of saved networks. Whatever the reason, “forgetting” a network removes it from your saved list and forces a fresh connection next time.

Here’s exactly how to do it on every major platform.

Why You’d Want to Forget a WiFi Network

Before diving into the steps, it’s worth understanding what forgetting a network actually does. When you forget a network, your device deletes the saved SSID (network name), password, and any other connection settings for that network. It will no longer auto-connect to it, and you’ll need to enter the password again if you want to reconnect later.

Common reasons to forget a network include:

• Wrong password saved: If you entered the password incorrectly the first time, forgetting and re-joining is the only way to clear it.
• Network changed its password: Your device keeps trying the old credentials and failing. Forgetting forces a clean re-entry.
• Prioritizing a better network: Your phone auto-connects to a weak neighbor’s network or old coffee shop hotspot instead of your home WiFi.
• Security hygiene: Removing networks you no longer use reduces risk, especially for open (password-free) public networks.
• Troubleshooting connectivity: Forgetting and reconnecting is a classic first step when you’re connected but getting no internet. See our guide on WiFi connected but no internet for more steps.

How to Forget a WiFi Network on iPhone and iPad

iOS makes it easy to forget any saved network, whether you’re currently connected to it or not.

For a network you’re currently connected to

1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the info icon (i) next to the network name.
3. Tap Forget This Network, then confirm by tapping Forget.

For a saved network you’re not currently on

1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
2. Tap Edit in the top-right corner to reveal all known networks.
3. Tap the red minus button next to the network, then tap Delete. Alternatively, tap the info icon and choose Forget This Network.

On iOS 16 and later, you can also manage all known networks at once from the Edit view, which is handy for a bulk cleanup.

How to Forget a WiFi Network on Android

Android steps vary slightly between manufacturers, but the process is consistent across stock Android and Samsung One UI.

Stock Android (Pixel, and most non-Samsung devices)

1. Open Settings and tap Network & Internet (or Connections on some devices).
2. Tap Internet, then find the network in your saved list.
3. Tap and hold the network name, then tap Forget.

Samsung One UI

1. Open Settings and tap Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the gear icon next to the network you want to remove.
3. Tap Forget at the bottom of the screen.

If you need to forget a network that’s not in range (and therefore not showing in the list), go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Saved networks to see the full history.

How to Forget a WiFi Network on Mac

macOS maintains its own list of known networks that can grow very long over time, especially if you travel frequently.

macOS Ventura and later (System Settings)

1. Click the Apple menu and open System Settings.
2. Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar.
3. Scroll down and click Advanced to see all known networks.
4. Find the network, click the three-dot menu next to it, and choose Remove From List.
5. Confirm by clicking Remove.

macOS Monterey and earlier (System Preferences)

1. Open System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Advanced to see the Preferred Networks list.
3. Select the network and click the minus (−) button to remove it, then click OK.

How to Forget a WiFi Network on Windows

Windows 10 and 11 both make it straightforward, though the menu paths differ slightly.

Windows 11

1. Click the WiFi icon in the taskbar, then click the arrow (>) next to the WiFi button to expand saved networks.
2. Right-click the network you want to remove and select Forget.

Alternatively: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → Manage known networks, then click Forget next to the network.

Windows 10

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Manage known networks.
3. Click the network name to expand it, then click Forget.

Note that on Windows, forgetting a network from Settings removes it from all network profiles. If you’re on a domain-joined work machine, you may need admin rights to remove certain networks.

After Forgetting: Reconnecting to the Network

Once you’ve forgotten a network, your device treats it as brand new. To rejoin, simply tap or click the network name in your WiFi list and enter the password. If you’re not sure of the password, check our guide on how to find your WiFi password — you can often retrieve it from another connected device or your router’s admin panel.

Still Having Trouble After Reconnecting?

If forgetting and re-joining doesn’t fix your issue, the problem may be deeper than saved credentials. Try these steps:

• Restart your router (unplug for 30 seconds) — this clears the router’s ARP table and DHCP leases.
• Check for IP conflicts — if another device has the same IP, see our IP address conflict fix guide.
• Run a speed test after reconnecting at wifispeed.com to confirm you’re getting the expected speeds from your ISP.

Forgetting a WiFi network is one of the simplest but most effective first steps in WiFi troubleshooting. It only takes 30 seconds on any platform, and it eliminates an entire category of credential and configuration problems in one shot.