How do you tell if your Macbook Pro is using WiFi 6A vs just WiFi 6?

I have upgraded all of my access points to Unifi 6 Enterprise, how do i tell if my 2023 Macbook 16" is getting connected at WiFi 6A speeds?

Posted on Oct 23, 2023 8:34 PM

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5 replies

Oct 24, 2023 4:53 AM in response to OrlandoTommy

If your Mac is not one of these, you are not connecting at 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 6E. And if you are not broadcasting a dual 5GHz/6Hz SSID, you probably won't connect either per the following article:


Use Wi-Fi 6E networks with Apple devices - Apple Support


I have a Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro (M6550) here that can broadcast Wi-Fi 6E on the 6 Ghz band. This device does not offer a combined 5GHz/6GHz configuration, and for a 6 GHz connection, requires WPA3 security. It will not connect to my 2023 M2 Mac mini Pro using just a 6 GHz SSID but does connect with my iPhone 15 Pro Max. This device does not (as of yet) offer a combined 5GHz/6GHz SSID to satisfy Apple's preceding article.


My principal router is a Synology RT6600ax which is only a Wi-Fi 6 device and it is ample for all of my home connectivity.

Oct 24, 2023 8:43 AM in response to OrlandoTommy

If you read the link that I provided, no 6E compatible Mac can connect to a sole 6 GHz SSID. It must be a combination 5/6GHz SSID or bust in the current implementation. I tried taunting my 2023 mini with a pure 6 GHz 6E SSID and it never even detected it. Hopefully, Apple has resolved this networking issue in 14.1 and heaven forbid when 802.11be (WiFi 7) hits the mainstream.

Oct 24, 2023 6:18 AM in response to VikingOSX

Well just to give you my specs...


I have a 2023 Macbook Pro 16" ,which by Apple's spec it should handle 6E with no problem. I have 3 Unifi 6 Enterprise AP's in my home all with Wifi 6 enabled. Incoming to my house is a 2GB ATT fiber connection going into my Sonic TZ670, SPF+ out to a 10GB uplink in a 5 port unifi 10GB switch, which then ports to my AP's. So as far as having the right gear, i don't think it can get any better, but i dont see any visual indicator (on the Apple side) if im getting true 6E vs just 6.... pretty sure i can see exactly what im getting if i dig around in my Cloud Key but just thought the Apple would show something about being on 6E if it were on it... speeds are subpar, about 30 foot away from my AP and getting about 400/400... now on my iPhone 15 Pro max, im getting 1.8GB down and up on the WiFi...


And also, here is the bucket of cold water in the face... as you stated, the 6E requires WPA3, many of my devices will not connect to that (Nest, Ring, Simplisafe etc...) which makes 6E almost useless for me to run in full force...


I honestly think the hardware is about a year or so behind the protocols...


T.


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How do you tell if your Macbook Pro is using WiFi 6A vs just WiFi 6?

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