Managed Wi-Fi networks on iOS 16.5.1c cannot be deleted in settings

Yes, I don’t have any of those carrier apps on my phone and haven’t in years. I am not as stupid as my username may indicate.

Resetting my network settings removed all known networks EXCEPT the managed networks that I’m trying to get rid of (along with many other people in unresolved threads).

This is a manufacturer issue that Apple needs to fix.

This is indeed a bug and not covered by SravanKrA’s advice above as these “Managed” networks do not show up in the original Wifi list. Nor do they have the “Forget this network” button. One thing to try is Settings -> VPN & Device Management, and delete a profile that may have added them. However, there are still ISP added managed networks like “spectrum or attwifi” even if att is no longer your ISP. Its a bug and should be addressed.

Watch the GIF below for both Bluettoth and WiFi

I have the same problem, and I do not have any old carrier apps installed.

They should be, but are not getting removed after switching carriers and removing the apps.

CoolWeasel wrote:

I have the same problem, and I do not have any old carrier apps installed.

They should be, but are not getting removed after switching carriers and removing the apps.

Have you removed all carrier apps, and checked again?

If after that removal of all carrier apps then still shows carrier Wi-Fi entries listed, reset network settings, and check again.

I am also having this problem from the UK. Have just switched networks (carriers) and so I can’t connect to the free WiFi hotspots my new provider offers until I can get the old key work out of managed networks on my iPhone. Can you please say when this will be addressed as it is slowing my work down and really can’t be a difficult fix to implement. Thanks.

marvellousUK wrote:

There are no carrier apps on my phone but will try a forced restart. I’m also running iOS17.0.3 if that makes a difference?

17.1 is current.

No, that should not make a difference.

It’s typically either profiles or carrier apps that add these networks.

It is not a bug… It is just a poor user interface. Those are managed networks, so you apparently can't remove them from the Wi-Fi settings. You have to go into Settings -> General -> VPN and Device Management.

Joe Swinehart wrote:

It is not a bug… It is just a poor user interface. Those are managed networks, so you apparently can't remove them from the Wi-Fi settings. You have to go into Settings -> General -> VPN and Device Management.

Those Wi-Fi networks are usually loaded either by installed carrier apps, or by carrier settings loaded by Apple and the carrier.

While profiles can absolutely exist and be used here, there is seldom an added profile in recent iOS and iPadOS versions, though that profile mechanism was often the case in years past prior to the carrier settings mechanism.

Delete the old carrier’s app(s), force a restart, load the new app from the new carrier, and check again.

If that fails to expunge the old carrier network settings, check with Apple Support.

jefbak wrote:

Performing a reset of network setting also does not delete managed Wi-Fi networks. This is a bug.

No, it’s not a bug. Remove the carrier apps, and these Wi-Fi networks will be removed.