How do I fully delete a wifi password?

Question

How do I fully delete a wifi password?

I was wondering where the Wifi passwords are stored and how to fully delete them.

I've tried "forgetting the network" in the network preferences and removing the password item from keychain access reformatting the drive. The wifi connection remains.

Steps

Add a wifi network that requires a password to an account
Restart the computer from USB thumb Catalina install.
Remove partitions, erase disk, create new filesystem, and re install Catalina.
During the setup process DO NOT enter any cloud or wifi passwords. No passwords were entered (besides when you have to create an account)
After logging into the account the computer is already connected to the wifi network. If you look at the password through keychain it's not the actual password but maybe a hashed version of it? Either way the network IS accessible.

After doing that and seeing I was already connected I was puzzled. I noticed that no matter what I do I can't seem to get the wifi network to forget. Every time I start up from the USB Catalina it's already connected to the wifi network... even before I install anything. I've also tried deleted the partitions, not installing any OS, restart on the the USB and the wifi is STILL connected. This leads me to believe it's saved somewhere in the computer's bios / hardware instead off on the drive.

This is a concern to me because... what if I sell my computer? The user will be able to gain access to my network without knowing the password. It's already saved in there and I can't seem to removed it.

Let me know what you think!

Posted on Dec 3, 2019 10:28 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 3, 2019 11:00 AM in response to Apple-Support-Communities-Use

If you have multiple devices sharing an Apple ID which all have the WiFi password stored in them, you'll need to delete it from all of them as it will sync between devices. However, if you properly prepare a device for sale by removing it from your Apple ID and restoring it to factory state, the password will not get passed along.

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Answer 2

babowa

Level 9

78,574 points

Dec 3, 2019 1:55 PM in response to Apple-Support-Communities-Use

In order to do anything - download apps, updates, purchase songs, videos, apps, whatever, you need to be signed in with your Apple ID. You signed up here to post - you need to have an Apple ID for that - it is an email address, by the way.

And, the wifi password has nothing to do with that when you erase your hard drive. If you erase all contents, there will be no wifi password stored - nor will there be anything else. Just follow the instructions in the links provided by Idris - that is what you need to do if you want to sell.

FWIW, as soon as that computer is away from your in-house wifi, it will not be able to connect unless someone sets up a new wifi network; your old one may show as a password protected one, but no one will be able to use it because you'd need your router/ISP to connect.

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,574 points

Dec 3, 2019 10:45 AM in response to Apple-Support-Communities-Use

That is because the password is assigned by the router (which is usually from your ISP). When you first set up the modem/router, the ISP has assigned a default password - you can change it at that point (I believe). In order to get to that, you need to access your router website which is usually (in my neck of the woods at least) 192.168.0.x. That is where you can make changes and that is where it is stored.

So, when you are away from your home Wifi, no one will be able to access anything. And, FWIW, Apple requires that WiFi is on when you are accessing recovery.

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Answer 4

Dec 3, 2019 10:56 AM in response to babowa

Your post does not answer my question. Yes, the wifi router is the one that holds the wifi password, and can be changed, but the computer must also be saving the password in order to connect. The wifi router does not save and allow the same device to connect without that password being supplied. You can't connect to the wifi without a password, which must be saved somewhere on the computer.

I'm wondering how to clear the saved password out.

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Answer 5

Dec 3, 2019 11:06 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Is there a way to see if your device is in an "Apple ID"? I don't believe this was evere set up/ logged in with an itunes account. The only accounts created on it were local. But this was a used computer I purchased.

What would be the procedure for "fully wiping" a mac machine? If it's tied into the cloud and you don't know the credentials... seems like bad design? I must be missing something.

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Answer 6

Dec 3, 2019 11:49 AM in response to Apple-Support-Communities-Use

Here are instructions on how to see what devices are using your Apple ID:

Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in - Apple Support

You can't wipe an iOS device that has Find My iPhone enabled without the Apple ID and passcode. That's not a design flaw, it's an intentional protection. I don't believe the same is true for a Mac.

How to erase a disk for Mac - Apple Support

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support

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How do I fully delete a wifi password?

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