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Manually removing stored Wifi networks from iPad?

I have a rather interesting question:

As we all know, iPad will remember wireless networks we connect to by way of the settings app. Whenever those networks are in range, iPad will automatically connect to them. (This also applies to iPhone/iPod touch)

Suppose that you at some point logged into a network, using the settings panel, but you later wish to remove it from the list of saved networks (e.g. you're giving the iPad to a friend to use, giving it away, etc.)

So far, the only way I know of to do this is to be in range of the network in question, then select it in the settings panel and choose Forget This Network.

This to me represents a potential security risk. Suppose that you pair your iPad to a corporate work network. Later, you decide to loan out your iPad. All the person you loaned it to has to do is go in range of the office network (Which is heavily guarded by WPA2, we'll assume) and poof, they're in, because your iPad saved the network. Someone who is not authorized just penetrated a LAN.

Normally, you could simply remove that network from the remembered networks store prior to loaning. Mac, Windows and everything else seems to have a way to remove remembered networks manually. However, on the iPad (and any other iOS device) I can't find a way to get the device to forget a known network, unless I happen to be in range of that network at the time. Is there a way to do this?

FM

MacBook Pro 15"/i7/4GB/500GB/DVDRW, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 30, 2011 10:18 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 26, 2011 1:01 PM

My question is similar to the original one. The problem with Chris' solution is it wipes out ALL the remembered networks. What if I only want to wipe one or two, and I am not in range of those networks. E.g., I have to go to a business meeting this coming week. I will probably link to the conference center's wi-fi. Are you saying that forever and ever, my iPad will remember that network, that it will be cluttering up the iPad's memory, and there is nothing I can do about it, short of eliminating ALL my networks and starting over again? This seems to me to be a very huge blunder on the Apple iPad programmers part if that is the case.
68 replies

Jul 12, 2016 9:42 AM in response to marintaxpro

marintaxpro wrote:


On my iPad I don't have the "forget" option. I have that option on the uninflected network but the networks I need to delete the only button shown is "connect".Anyone know alternate ways of,deleting networks that automatically connect (unlike the network I installed which requires password frequently). Appreciate any help.

Sounds like you're seeing a list of available WiFi networks to join. You can't delete those if you have not joined any of them.

Jul 13, 2016 3:21 PM in response to ShagCA

These are mostly networks that were originally valid and set up by me, for me at an earlier time but no longer in use.. There are also networks that show SSID with very similar names to the correct network that are shown as connected to computers (PCs, Macs, & Linux) Since I've had an issue with RATs - caused, so I'm told, IP v6 hijacking. After those networks were taken out of commission with replacement routers, static ip address and new modem these networks (as well as the RAT issue) have remained. Glassware and ADS security have shown that computers on network have "alternate data streams". They all show as "connected" to my computers but do not respond to the original passwords I created. I realize that question is complex but it has cost me a few MACs so I'm hoping to find a solution. When taken to Apple Store these networks do not appear.

Jul 13, 2016 4:52 PM in response to marintaxpro

marintaxpro wrote:


These are mostly networks that were originally valid and set up by me, for me at an earlier time but no longer in use.. There are also networks that show SSID with very similar names to the correct network that are shown as connected to computers (PCs, Macs, & Linux) Since I've had an issue with RATs - caused, so I'm told, IP v6 hijacking. After those networks were taken out of commission with replacement routers, static ip address and new modem these networks (as well as the RAT issue) have remained. Glassware and ADS security have shown that computers on network have "alternate data streams". They all show as "connected" to my computers but do not respond to the original passwords I created. I realize that question is complex but it has cost me a few MACs so I'm hoping to find a solution. When taken to Apple Store these networks do not appear.

You're making it more complex that it sounds. Forgetting old access points is very easy to do. Diana already mentioned it so I'm not going to say it again. Your having remote access tools (RAT) problem is another issue that has nothing to do with iPad device forgetting old (and saved) WiFi access points.

Dec 3, 2016 4:01 AM in response to Flint Million

If your iPad or iPhone is synchronised with your iMac/Macbook etc then you can remove old networks, but you have to use your iMac/macbook to do this. Open System preferences then Network, select your Wifi connection then go to 'Advanced'. There will be a list of 'preferred' networks which are the preferred networks for your iMac/iphone/ipad etc.

This list is editable, by deleting 'old' networks from here, then the next time your iPad/iphone syncs the relevant networks will have been deleted.

Dec 3, 2016 9:07 AM in response to panchososa694

panchososa694 wrote:


The control you're looking for does not, nor had it ever existed in iOS. Short of erasing the device, the only other way to erase or forget stored networks that you're in range of would be to reset network settings. But that also forgets any and all networks you've ever connected with.

I doubt the OP you replied to is still looking +5 years after he posted...

Jun 25, 2017 4:17 PM in response to Phil0124

At the risk of exposing me for the idiot that I am, and antagonizing everyone, I want to point out the obvious solution: for professionals, and not children/older casual users, and for people who actually depend on their machines - use a professional grade tool. One that runs a professional grade operating system.


(Someone said Android?)

Jun 25, 2017 4:26 PM in response to Jnoam

Jnoam wrote:


At the risk of exposing me for the idiot that I am, and antagonizing everyone, I want to point out the obvious solution: for professionals, and not children/older casual users, and for people who actually depend on their machines - use a professional grade tool. One that runs a professional grade operating system.

Good idea. That's exactly why I use an iPhone.

Manually removing stored Wifi networks from iPad?

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