How to Forget Wi-Fi Network on iPhone? (Delete Saved Wi-Fi Networks)

Are you tired of having to manually disconnect from a Wi-Fi network every time you leave its range? Do you want to simplify the process of connecting to a new network? If so, then it might be time to forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone.

How to Forget a Wi-Fi Network on iPhone

In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of forgetting a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, so you can easily connect to new networks in the future. Whether you’re using an iPhone 13 or an older model, the process is relatively straightforward.

Table of Contents

How do I Forget a Wi-Fi network on my iPhone? (Steps to delete a Wi-Fi network)

Here we are sharing the step by steps process in which you want to learn about how do I delete WiFi networks on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

The first step in forgetting a Wi-Fi network is to open the Settings app on your iPhone. This app is the hub for all of your phone’s settings, including your Wi-Fi network preferences. 

To open the Settings app, simply tap the “Settings” icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.

Step 2: Tap on Wi-Fi

Once you have opened the Settings app, tap on “Wi-Fi” to access your Wi-Fi network preferences. This will bring up a list of all the Wi-Fi networks your iPhone has ever connected to.

Step 3: Find the Network You Want to Forget

Locate the Wi-Fi network that you want to forget in the list of networks. If you have many networks in the list, you can use the search bar to find the network more easily.

Step 4: Tap on the “i” Button

Next, tap on the “i” button next to the network that you want to forget. This will bring up the network’s information page.

Step 5: Tap on “Forget This Network”

On the information page, you will see a button labeled “Forget This Network.” Tap on this button to forget the network. A pop-up type window will appear to you, asking if you are sure to forget the network.

Step 6: Confirm to Forget the Network

Confirm that you want to forget the network by tapping “Forget” in the pop-up. After a moment, the network will be removed from the list of available Wi-Fi networks.

Why can not I forget a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone?

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone or other mac devices can be a simple process, but sometimes it can become difficult. 

There can be various reasons why you are unable to forget a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone. Below are some of the possible causes and how you can fix them.

The Wi-Fi network is out of range

 If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to forget is out of range, you won’t be able to forget it. Make sure you are in the range of the Wi-Fi network and try to forget it again.

The Wi-Fi network is hidden

If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to forget is hidden, you won’t be able to forget it because it’s not visible to your iPhone. 

To resolve this, connect to the hidden Wi-Fi network and then forget it.

The Wi-Fi network is set as a default network

If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to forget is set as the default network, you won’t be able to forget it. 

To resolve this, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the “i” symbol next to the network, and then turn off “Ask to Join Networks”. Then try to forget the network again.

Software issues

Sometimes, software issues can cause problems with forgetting a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone. If you have recently updated your iPhone to a new iOS version, it may have caused a bug that is preventing you from forgetting a Wi-Fi network. 

In such cases, try restarting your iPhone, updating to the latest iOS version, or resetting your network settings.

Outdated Wi-Fi settings

If the Wi-Fi settings on your iPhone are outdated, it can cause issues with forgetting a Wi-Fi network. 

To resolve this, go to Settings > General > Reset, and then tap Reset Network Settings.

iPhone is jailbroken

If your iPhone is jailbroken, it can cause issues with forgetting a Wi-Fi network. Jailbreaking can cause issues with the software on your iPhone.

Which can prevent you from forgetting a Wi-Fi network. To resolve this, try restoring your iPhone to its original settings.

Carrier Restrictions

Some carriers may have restrictions on forgetting Wi-Fi networks. If you are unable to forget a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone

It’s possible that your carrier is preventing you from doing so. In such cases, contact your carrier for more information.

If none of the above solutions work, you can try the following steps to forget a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the “i” symbol next to the network you want to forget.
  3. Tap “Forget this Network”.
  4. Confirm that you want to forget the network by tapping “Forget”.

If you are an Instagram lover like me, then you should know why won’t my Instagram story post if faced this issue ever.

Why do I need to forget a Wi-Fi network on my iPhone?

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone is necessary for several situations:

Connect to a new network

If you want to connect to a new Wi-Fi network, you may need to forget the old network first. This is because your iPhone will try to connect to the previously connected network first and may not switch to the new network.

Improve network connectivity

If you are having connectivity issues with a particular Wi-Fi network, forgetting it and then reconnecting can sometimes improve the connection.

Change network security settings

If you have changed the security settings on your Wi-Fi network, you may need to forget the old network and reconnect to the updated network.

Remove old or unused networks

Over time, you may accumulate a large list of Wi-Fi networks that you no longer use. Forgetting these networks can help keep your list of Wi-Fi networks organized and prevent your iPhone from automatically connecting to networks that are no longer in use.

How to Forget a Wi-Fi network on an iPad device?

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone or iPad will not delete the network itself, but it will simply remove the network’s information from your device’s saved list of Wi-Fi networks. 

If you forget a network, you’ll need to enter its password again if you want to connect to it in the future.

Here are the steps to forget a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Go to the Settings app: The first step is to open the Settings app on your device. This can be done by tapping the Settings icon on your home screen or by using the search function to find it.
  1. Tap on “Wi-Fi”: Once you’re in the Settings app, tap on the “Wi-Fi” option to access the Wi-Fi settings on your device.
  1. Find the network you want to forget: On the Wi-Fi settings screen, you’ll see a list of all the Wi-Fi networks that your device has connected to in the past. Find the network that you want to forget and tap on the “i” symbol next to it.
  1. Tap on “Forget This Network”: Once you’ve tapped on the “i” symbol, you’ll see a screen with more information about the network. On this iPhone’s screen, tap on the “Forget This Network” option.
  1. Confirm that you want to forget the network: Finally, you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to forget the network. Tap on the “Forget” option to complete the process.

And that’s it! The network will now be forgotten, and your device will no longer automatically connect to it. If you want to connect to the network again in the future, you’ll need to enter its password again.

How do I delete any WiFi network on my iPhone?

To delete a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Settings application on your device.
  2. Tap on “Wi-Fi.”
  3. Find the network you want to delete and tap on the “i” symbol next to it.
  4. Tap on “Forget This Network.”
  5. Confirm that you want to forget the network by tapping “Forget.”

Following these steps will remove the Wi-Fi network from your device’s list of saved networks and will no longer be accessible. If you want to connect to the network again in the future, you’ll need to enter its password once more.

How do I block unwanted Wi-Fi signals?

There are several ways to block unwanted Wi-Fi signals:

Change the channel

Changing the channel of your Wi-Fi network can help reduce interference from other Wi-Fi networks in your area. You can access your Wi-Fi router’s settings and change the channel to one that is not being used by other networks in your area.

Use a Wi-Fi extender

A Wi-Fi extender can help strengthen the signal from your Wi-Fi network and reduce interference from other networks. By placing the Wi-Fi extender in a location where it can receive a strong signal from your Wi-Fi router, you can help reduce the impact of other Wi-Fi networks in your area.

Change the frequency band

Some Wi-Fi routers allow you to switch between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. By using the 5GHz band, you can often reduce interference from other Wi-Fi networks and other electronic devices in your home.

Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app

A Wi-Fi analyzer app can help you identify the sources of interference in your area and suggest ways to reduce it. These apps can also help you choose the best channel for your Wi-Fi network to minimize interference.

Purchase a signal-blocking device

There are devices available that can be placed in your home to block Wi-Fi signals. These devices work by creating a physical barrier that blocks the signal from entering your home.

How can I control devices connected to my Wi-Fi on my iPhone?

To control the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network on an iPhone, you can access your router’s settings and manage the connected devices from there. The exact steps for doing this will vary depending on the type of router you have, but here are some general steps:

Find the IP address of your router

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap on the “i” symbol next to the name of your Wi-Fi network. You should see the IP address of your router listed under “Router.”

Open your router’s settings

Enter the IP address of your router into your web browser and log in to your router’s settings.

View connected devices

Look for a section in your router’s settings that displays the devices connected to your network. You should be able to see the name of each device and its IP address.

Block or allow devices

Depending on your router’s settings, you may be able to block or allow specific devices from accessing your Wi-Fi network. 

For example, you may be able to block a device by assigning it a “deny” status, or you may be able to allow a device by assigning it a “permit” status.

Change network security settings

If you want to improve the security of your Wi-Fi network, you can change your router’s security settings. 

For example, you may want to switch from WEP to WPA2 encryption, or you may want to change the password for your Wi-Fi network.

Differences between forgetting and disconnecting from a Wi-Fi network on iPhone

ActionEffect on Wi-Fi NetworkEffect on Other Devices/Services
DisconnectingTemporarily stops the device from being connected to the networkNone
ForgettingRemoves network from device’s list of saved networksRemoves network from device’s list of saved networksCan cause problems with other devices or services connected to the network

Some important points you should know to perform a Wi-Fi networking activity like connecting, disconnecting, and forgetting or deleting:

  • Disconnecting from a Wi-Fi network temporarily stops the device from being connected to the network.
  • Forgetting a Wi-Fi network removes the network from the device’s list of saved networks.
  • Disconnecting from a network preserves the network’s password and connection disconnecting from a network conserves battery life and reduces data usage.
  • For information.
  • Forgetting a network causes the device to forget the network’s password and connection information.
  • Disconnecting a network can cause problems with other devices or services connected to the network.
  • Disconnecting from a network is useful if you want to temporarily stop using Wi-Fi.
  • Forgetting a network is helpful if you no longer use the network or want to change the network password.
  • Disconnecting from a network allows the device to switch back to a cellular data connection.
  • Forgetting a network requires manually entering the network name and password to reconnect to the network in the future.

Troubleshooting tips for forgetting Wi-Fi networks on iPhone

  1. Restart the device.
  2. Update iOS.
  3. Reset network settings.
  4. Check for connected devices.
  5. Disable Wi-Fi assist.
  6. Remove profile from configuration profiles.
  7. Check parental controls.
  8. Disconnect from VPN.
  9. Factory reset as a last resort.

If none of these tips resolve the issue, seek assistance from Apple support.

How to prevent an iPhone from automatically connecting to a forgotten Wi-Fi network

To prevent an iPhone from automatically connecting to a forgotten Wi-Fi network, follow these steps:

  1. Go to “Settings” > “Wi-Fi.”
  2. Tap the “i” icon next to the forgotten network.
  3. Toggle off the “Auto-Join” switch.

By turning off the “Auto-Join” switch, your iPhone will no longer automatically connect to the forgotten Wi-Fi network. If you need to reconnect to the network in the future, you’ll need to manually join the network again.

Forgetting a Wi-Fi network on an iPhone has the following impacts on the device’s network settings and other connected devices

Network settings: Forgetting a Wi-Fi network will remove the network’s settings from the iPhone, including its login credentials and any custom settings. The next time the iPhone tries to connect to the network, it will have to be reconfigured.

Other connected devices: If you have other devices connected to the forgotten Wi-Fi network, they may be temporarily disconnected when the network is forgotten on your iPhone. However, they should be able to reconnect to the network once the network settings are reconfigured.

Automatic connection: If your iPhone was set to automatically connect to the forgotten network, this setting will be lost when the network is forgotten. Your iPhone will no longer automatically connect to the network, even if it is in range.

AirDrop: If you were using AirDrop to share files between your iPhone and other Apple devices connected to the forgotten Wi-Fi network, you will no longer be able to do so until the network is reconfigured on your iPhone.

VPN: If you were using a virtual private network (VPN) with a forgotten Wi-Fi network, you will need to reconfigure the VPN when the network is reconfigured on your iPhone.

FAQs

What happens when I forget a Wi-Fi network?

The network’s settings are removed from your iPhone.

Can I still connect to the network?

Yes, after reconfiguring the network settings.

Will it affect other connected devices?

Other devices may temporarily disconnect but can reconnect.

Can I prevent auto-connection?

Yes, turn off “Auto-Join” in Wi-Fi settings.

Conclusion

Here in the article I have discussed the most common and popular problems, a user may face with iPhone Wi-Fi network settings. And I hope this information may be helpful to you. Give your feedback on this article through the comment box.

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