How to “Forget” a Wi-Fi Network on iPhone, Android, and Other Devices

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network sometimes helps with connection issues.

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Last Updated: Jul 26, 2024
A graphic design image of a smartphone and laptop forgetting Wi-Fi networks.
It’s best practice forgetting public networks, especially if you’re not going to connect to them again.
  • Your devices can “remember” past Wi-Fi networks and will automatically connect to them when they’re in range.
  • Forgetting Wi-Fi networks is good for troubleshooting connection issues and removing unnecessary networks from your devices.
  • Most devices (tablets, phones, and computers) have a “Forget Network” feature.

Your smart devices can remember Wi-Fi networks, automatically reconnecting whenever your device is in range. But sometimes, you’ll want to forget your past networks for troubleshooting or other reasons. We’ll show you how to do it from any device. It’s as easy as “set it and forget it.”

Forgetting a Wi-Fi Network on Devices

  1. How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on iPhone and iPad
  2. How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on macOS
  3. How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Android Devices
  4. How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Windows 10
  5. How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Windows 11
  6. Why You Should Consider Forgetting Wi-Fi Networks

How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on iPhone and iPad

How to Forget Your Current Network

creenshots of iPhone network settings.
Forgetting your current network is easy, but if you need to rejoin, make sure you remember your Wi-Fi password.
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap your Wi-Fi Network.
  4. Tap Forget This Network, then tap Forget to confirm.

How to Forget a Network You’ve Used Before

Screenshots of iPhone Wi-Fi settings featuring Wi-Fi networks.
If you’ve connected to Wi-Fi networks beyond your home Wi-Fi, you might be surprised to find them saved to your phone.
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap Edit in the top right-hand corner.
  4. Follow either one of the following steps:
    1. Tap on the minus symbol next to the network you want to forget.
      1. Tap Delete.
    2. Tap the info icon next to the network you want to forget.
      1. Tap Forget This Network.
      2. Tap Forget.

How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on macOS

The steps below apply to Mac devices using macOS Ventura or later.

How to Forget Your Current Network

Screenshots of Wi-Fi network settings on a Mac.
Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on macOS takes a few clicks.
  1. From your Mac device, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Look for the network you’re using and click on Details.
  3. Click Forget This Network, then click Remove to confirm.

How to Forget a Network You’ve Used Before

Screenshots of Wi-Fi network settings on a Mac.
Similar to iPhones, you’ll see a list of networks you’ve connected to before and can remove them accordingly.
  1. From your Mac device, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Scroll down and click Advanced to bring up the list of networks known to your Mac.
  3. Look for the network you want to forget and click the More button next to it.
  4. Click Remove From List, then click Remove.

How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Android Devices

Screenshots of Android network settings.
Make sure to find the correct network to forget — giving your network a memorable name makes identifying it easier.
  1. On your Samsung, click on Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click the cog icon next to the network you want to forget.
  3. At the bottom of the screen, click Forget.
Other Android Devices: The steps above can be used for Samsung devices. If you use a Pixel, Nokia, or other Android device, the steps may be slightly different but will follow a similar pattern.

How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Windows 10

Screenshots of Windows 10 network settings.
If you haven’t upgraded to Windows 11 yet, you can forget your network on Windows 10.
  1. From the Settings menu, click Network & Internet.
  2. Click Wi-Fi > Manage Wi-Fi settings.
  3. Select the network name and click Forget.

How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on Windows 11

Screenshots of Windows 11 network settings.
Forgetting networks on Windows 11 is easier than on Windows 10.
  1. From the Settings menu, click on Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
  2. Look for the network you want to forget, then click Forget.

Why You Should Consider Forgetting Wi-Fi Networks

A graphic design image depicting issues with not forgetting Wi-Fi networks.
You may run into issues with your devices if you don’t clear out previously connected Wi-Fi networks.

There are many reasons why someone would want to forget networks:

  • Your device has an overwhelming list of networks. As you connect to other networks, your phone stores information about each remembered network. Over time, however, this list might become overbearing and affect your device’s performance.
  • You might need to troubleshoot your connectivity. Did you recently change your Wi-Fi password or have trouble connecting to the internet? If that’s the case, forgetting your network might help solve connectivity issues.
  • You don’t want your device to rejoin public networks. The second your phone connects to a Wi-Fi network, you may receive unnecessary VoIP calls or app notifications. Forgetting a network once you’re out of range will prevent this from happening the next time you’re within its connection range.