HT201415: If you can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data

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Sharp-man

Q: Why does Reset Network Settings affect WiFi networks on my Mac?

In an attempt to resolve issues with AT&T's carrier update 24.2 under iOS 9.3.2, I Reset my Network Settings per Apple's suggestion at If you can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data - Apple Support . As soon as I did so, I watched the WiFi signal on my Retina MacBook Pro disappear; and, OS X then prompted me to re-enter my WiFi credentials (no known networks were available). I then checked my stored WiFi networks, and only attwifi and my current work access point were listed (out of many that were previously there).

 

I have enjoyed the convenience of syncing my WiFi networks across my iPhone and MacBook in recent releases of their respective OSes; however, there was no warning that resetting the network settings on my iPhone would wipe out all the networks on my MacBook Pro. There is also no warning on the aforementioned Apple website page of this.

 

Is this a bug I should report? Since there is no mention of this side-effect on Apple's documentation, I am inclined to think this was not intentional.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD

Posted on Jul 12, 2016 3:08 PM

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Q: Why does Reset Network Settings affect WiFi networks on my Mac?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by razmee209,

    razmee209 razmee209 Jul 12, 2016 3:12 PM in response to Sharp-man
    Level 7 (32,904 points)
    Jul 12, 2016 3:12 PM in response to Sharp-man

    Sharp-man wrote:

     

    In an attempt to resolve issues with AT&T's carrier update 24.2 under iOS 9.3.2, I Reset my Network Settings per Apple's suggestion at If you can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data - Apple Support . As soon as I did so, I watched the WiFi signal on my Retina MacBook Pro disappear; and, OS X then prompted me to re-enter my WiFi credentials (no known networks were available). I then checked my stored WiFi networks, and only attwifi and my current work access point were listed (out of many that were previously there).

     

    I have enjoyed the convenience of syncing my WiFi networks across my iPhone and MacBook in recent releases of their respective OSes; however, there was no warning that resetting the network settings on my iPhone would wipe out all the networks on my MacBook Pro. There is also no warning on the aforementioned Apple website page of this.

     

    Is this a bug I should report? Since there is no mention of this side-effect on Apple's documentation, I am inclined to think this was not intentional.

    No its not a bug.... 

     

    resetting your network stetting will remove all known password for your wifi...

     

    key word here is reset.....

  • by Drew Reece,Helpful

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Jul 12, 2016 3:39 PM in response to Sharp-man
    Level 5 (7,490 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 12, 2016 3:39 PM in response to Sharp-man

    iCloud syncs your network settings across devices. When you reset them it wipes them out across them all.

     

    I believe it is part of the 'documents & settings' sync option. Disable that option (after backing up your data) & retest if you want one 100% sure - I do not use that feature anymore so I may be wrong.

  • by elcpu,Helpful

    elcpu elcpu Jul 12, 2016 3:33 PM in response to Sharp-man
    Level 6 (15,941 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 12, 2016 3:33 PM in response to Sharp-man

    The reason resetting Wi-Fi on your iPhone caused your Mac to also lose Wi-Fi is likely because you have iCloud Keychain enabled. This is one of the features and one reason I don't use it.

    Frequently asked questions about iCloud Keychain - Apple Support


    "Yes. When you turn on iCloud Keychain, any previously-saved website usernames and passwords, Wi-Fi networks, and Internet accounts are automatically included in iCloud Keychain."

  • by razmee209,

    razmee209 razmee209 Jul 12, 2016 3:21 PM in response to Sharp-man
    Level 7 (32,904 points)
    Jul 12, 2016 3:21 PM in response to Sharp-man

    Sharp-man wrote:

     

    In an attempt to resolve issues with AT&T's carrier update 24.2 under iOS 9.3.2, I Reset my Network Settings per Apple's suggestion at If you can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data - Apple Support . As soon as I did so, I watched the WiFi signal on my Retina MacBook Pro disappear; and, OS X then prompted me to re-enter my WiFi credentials (no known networks were available). I then checked my stored WiFi networks, and only attwifi and my current work access point were listed (out of many that were previously there).

     

    I have enjoyed the convenience of syncing my WiFi networks across my iPhone and MacBook in recent releases of their respective OSes; however, there was no warning that resetting the network settings on my iPhone would wipe out all the networks on my MacBook Pro. There is also no warning on the aforementioned Apple website page of this.

     

    Is this a bug I should report? Since there is no mention of this side-effect on Apple's documentation, I am inclined to think this was not intentional.

    My apologies, I totally miss read your thread.

     

    I thought you did  a reset network settings on your MAC.....

  • by Sharp-man,

    Sharp-man Sharp-man Jul 12, 2016 3:38 PM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (59 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 12, 2016 3:38 PM in response to elcpu

    Thanks for your reply - I intentionally turned on iCloud Keychain to make use of its features such as this. However, I've never read anywhere that resetting one device would affect all other devices. I guess I assumed (wrongly, admittedly) that the Reset Network Settings on my iPhone would wipe out the settings and then re-sync them from iCloud - kind of the way an iPhone restore works.

     

    Now, you have me looking at all my other settings, to determine if anything else got wiped out on my Mac... j/k

     

    Anyways, I may provide feedback to Apple through their feedback/BugReport. At the very least, the page that AT&T is linking to in order to resolve issues with their carrier update should mention this as a warning, I'd think.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jul 12, 2016 3:43 PM in response to Sharp-man
    Level 6 (15,941 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 12, 2016 3:43 PM in response to Sharp-man

    Sharp-man wrote:

    Anyways, I may provide feedback to Apple through their feedback/BugReport. At the very least, the page that AT&T is linking to in order to resolve issues with their carrier update should mention this as a warning, I'd think.

     

    I agree and the feedback option is a good one. I have seen this issue before and I read the article I linked - IMO it could use additional clarification.