How do I permanently remove an unsecured Wi-Fi network ('Wi-Fi Socket') from my iPhone 11 running iOS 18.6.2?

I am in agreement that it is a smart socket that is in a configuration state. When you set them up it broadcasts the WiFi network for you to connect and after the configuration is done, which includes telling it to connect to your Home WiFi network, that network will go away.

The Ring Doorbell works the same way where you first choose the network that it broadcasts and then select your network for it to use.

Since you see it broadcasting the network, it does mean that the socket is plugged in, so it should be pretty easy to find and when you unplug it the network will disappear from your phone. Once you identified it, then try setting it up again using the devices instructions.

axelrod7 wrote:

morning to you all,sorry if i got the replies in the wrong order.

present situation. I have unplugged all the devices i thought the Wi-Fi socket could be they include wi-fi extender,

hive heating hub,hive wi-fi socket, tapo plug to control lights, ring doorbell and blink camera. Wi-fi socket is still showing in my phones networks, when i select it has my chosen network underneath it says insecure network then that goes and no internet connection appears. Other than normal appliances that are plugged in i cannot see what it could be.

A Wi-Fi network listed as an available network is a nearby Wi-Fi network. (This is different from the list of Known Networks, and that list you can usually edit.)

Each of the available networks may or may not be under your control.

Given what little I can locate for that Wi-Fi network “Wi-Fi Socket” name, you are trying to connect to an IoT device, possibly an IoT device and possibly a Wi-Fi extender. I’m going to assume IoT gear given all of the IoT gear you reported here, but for the purposes of this discussion an IoT device and an extender are similar.

The IoT device presents a Wi-Fi network. An insecure network too, for whatever good or not-so-good reason.

The IoT device Wi-Fi network is likely not connected elsewhere, and connecting to the IoT device network gets you solely to the IoT device. This to allow access and either operation or configuration. If this is an extender such as one of the English Wi-Fi wall-plate network extenders sold as “Wi-Fi sockets”, it is probably not configured, or maybe has malfunctioned.

The IoT device is probably awaiting configuration.

You will want to locate and remove the device, though this device might be in a neighboring location, not accessible to you, and not a device (and Wi-Fi network) under your control. A neighbor could be using that as their home Wi-Fi network name, too.

Wi-Fi signal strength as shown with apps available on a Mac (with WiFi Explorer app or such) or tools on Windows might help with the general location, by locating the direction of and moving toward the strongest signal. This akin to the game “hotter or colder”. iPhone and iPad have more limited signal strength listings shown to the right of the entry in the available networks list.

We can’t isolate this local network for you. You’ll have to continue looking, with your own senses and with a the “bars” signal strength, or using tools on a Mac or Windows PC.

Sounds to me like it's a smart light socket or power outlet that's in need of being set up.

Devices like that set up their own wifi network or advertise as discoverable bluetooth devices so that you can configure them to connect to your network. Once configured, that network will cease to exist unless you reset the device...

axelrod7 wrote:

yes i do have the info button. i selected wi-fi socket clicked on forget network but it keeps reapairing.

I think i must have originally used it to switch lights on and off remotely.

Is it still configured in Apple HomeKit (Home app) or in some other home-management app?

It seems it either needs to be unplugged, or configured. Or de-configured.

axelrod7 wrote:

Am i stuck with a redundant network that i cannot delete.

If this is a Nearby Wi-Fi network not under your control, there is nothing you can do. FBI Surveillance Van, Free Candy, any number of gag network names exist, too.

To show exactly what you are seeing, please post a screenshot with the problem network shown, and with any sensitive network info expunged. (But based on your text description, previous replies apply.)

Take a screenshot on iPhone - Apple Support

axelrod7 wrote:

what you have mentioned it could well be a neighboring device, when i select Wi-Fi socket to access wi-fi it goes to 4g and no internet connection so it does not have a very strong signal.

regards

axelropd7

Don’t conflate having Wi-Fi access with internet access via Wi-Fi.

It is quite possible to have a robust Wi-Fi connection with no internet access, or with restricted Wi-Fi or external access.

To connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, you’ll need Wi-Fi access, and that Wi-Fi network then needs to be configured and connected further.

A local ad-hoc network or a local private Wi-Fi network or some collection of IoT devices chattering away might only have one device broadcasting the Wi-Fi network signal, zero or more connected (IoT?) clients, and nothing further. And a Wi-Fi extender that’s not extending any existing Wi-Fi won’t have any further connection out to the Internet. Conceivably, a MiFi that has reached a hard cellular data cap or its cellular plan expired and is no longer able to connect to the carrier, too.

I wouldn’t suggest connecting to it, either.

axelrod7 wrote:

what you have mentioned it could well be a neighboring device, when i select Wi-Fi socket to access wi-fi it goes to 4g and no internet connection so it does not have a very strong signal.

regards

The only thing that would indicate it is not a neighbors device is that it shows up under your "My Networks". That would seem to indicate you had connected to it before to set it up, otherwise it would be listed under "Other Networks". It is a puzzle.

Do you have a Wi-Fi range extender on your local network, or any Wi-Fi power switching devices in use?

• And you don't have the info button on the far right of the Network? (circle with "i" in middle)
• Did you previously set up a device for remote control such as a power outlet?

If neither of those are true, then you can always reset your Network Settings. This will remove all networks, so you will have to choose your home wifi network again and enter its Password, along with repairing any bluetooth devices.

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.