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Q: 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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Q: Manually removing stored Wifi networks from iPad?

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  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Mar 20, 2013 5:21 AM in response to Aring0
    Level 9 (59,505 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 20, 2013 5:21 AM in response to Aring0

    Aring0 wrote:

     

    If you are not on the network and want to delete it without a wipe.

     

    Settings> General> Reset> Reset Network Settings.

     

    Which is exactly what Chris CA said in this thread back in June of 2011.

  • by awerner9,

    awerner9 awerner9 Apr 24, 2013 10:38 AM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2013 10:38 AM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Right, we all get that Chris CA suggested an INADEQUATE solution, but you clearly overlooked the part where Aring0 described the inadequacy of Chris CA's proposed resolution:

     

    "But this would erase all of them I believe so you would have to input passwords for networks at home etc.  Ill check with Wireshark this weekend to make sure it's not sending probe requests after the reset."

     

    The whole point is that you / him / I don't need to erase all of the stored networks. That is an archaic and heavy-handed solution to an intricate and multifaceted security and privacy issue.  I only need to erase one or two SPECIFIC networks, and I need to do this when the networks in question ARE NOT in range.  The bottom line is that my needs as a professional user of these products are going unmet because Apple chooses to omit important functionality, merely because those settings and options would confuse the bulk of their uneducated and/or unskilled clientelle. Or in simpler terms that anyone can understand, in this example, apple decided it was more important to cater to morons than to make the product secure and intelligent.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Apr 24, 2013 10:44 AM in response to awerner9
    Level 9 (59,505 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 24, 2013 10:44 AM in response to awerner9

    That is currently not a feature of iOS. Submit your request to Apple for such a feature here:

     

    http://www.apple.com/feedback

     

    Best of luck.

     

    P.S. Oblique insults to your fellow users are unecessary and uncalled for.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 24, 2013 10:52 AM in response to awerner9
    Level 7 (27,754 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 24, 2013 10:52 AM in response to awerner9

    Well then as a professional, make sure you Remove the network after you're done using it but before you leave the location. That's what I always do with hotel wifi's and locations I don't really frequent.

     

    That's your only real alternative if you do not wish to remove all the stored networks.

     

    As it is currently there's no way to remove a network selectively unless you are within range of it.

    Would I like to have it ? Sure, but right now there's nothing to do other than suggest the feature to Apple and hope they implement it in a future update. Complaining about it is not going to change the truth.

     


  • by awerner9,

    awerner9 awerner9 Apr 24, 2013 1:44 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2013 1:44 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    I am sorry for any offense I may have caused.  The moron bit was not directed at you personally and I admit that it was a poor choice of words.  However, I stand by my earlier assertion that this issue is a great example of how the mobile iOS versions all have a clear development bias toward the lowest common denominator, and that this bias impairs the use of these products in actual business.

     

    Thank you for the link and the kind and speedy reply. :^)

  • by awerner9,

    awerner9 awerner9 Apr 24, 2013 1:56 PM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2013 1:56 PM in response to Phil0124

    Phil, I agree that what you've mentioned here is the only real work around for this issue and I also agree that complaining in this forum is basically wasted time.  So, I'll refrain from complaining at length regarding the difficulties that support will encounter whilst attempting to get their users to remember to follow this workaround.  This is just a situation where I find it hard to believe such basic functionality isn't there, and I am becoming increasingly frustrated with how many of these little obvious necessities (home screen toggles/switches for wifi, location, etc?) are completely missing from iOS.  So, I just submitted a feature request for this issue and am gearing up to submit about 30 more over the next few days... Thanks to you & Meg for your time!

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 24, 2013 2:23 PM in response to awerner9
    Level 7 (27,754 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 24, 2013 2:23 PM in response to awerner9

    I truly hope they implement it at some point. I've also been submitting requests for this and a couple other things I would like. Yes, iOS could stand to have some more features added in the very near future.

  • by JusTrips,

    JusTrips JusTrips May 17, 2013 3:02 PM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 17, 2013 3:02 PM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Yes users should submit this. My wife has an iPad, I am glad she does not use it like I use my android. As a note the 3 years I have owned my android it has had the feature to remove wireless networks even if they are not in connection range. I submited an enhancement request. This is a silly feature to not have defacto.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA May 17, 2013 4:27 PM in response to JusTrips
    Level 9 (79,646 points)
    iTunes
    May 17, 2013 4:27 PM in response to JusTrips

    JusTrips wrote:

     

    My wife has an iPad, I am glad she does not use it like I use my android.

    because?

  • by JusTrips,

    JusTrips JusTrips May 17, 2013 7:14 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 17, 2013 7:14 PM in response to Chris CA

    Chris CA wrote:

     

    JusTrips wrote:

     

    My wife has an iPad, I am glad she does not use it like I use my android.

    because?

    because, When I set up client networks I store them. Some times when I drop a client or will no longer be in the area I want to remove just their networks. As I dont want to remove the other hundred or so networks this would be a pain for management.

  • by olstar1,

    olstar1 olstar1 Jul 6, 2013 11:55 PM in response to awerner9
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 6, 2013 11:55 PM in response to awerner9

    Needs to be added just for the simple fact that iOS try's to connect to remembered networks; so I happen to connect to a new network that also has the same default SSID (eg. NETGEAR) as one I previously connected to, IOS try's the earlier connection profile which is the wrong password for the new network and as a result means I have to manually enter the secure passwords for the new network every time. Now if only I could remove the original profile, not all of my profiles I wouldn't have to do this every time the device goes to sleep.

     

    This is simples functionality, my android that I don't particularly like allows me to do this.

  • by IPatronius,

    IPatronius IPatronius Jul 18, 2013 2:15 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 18, 2013 2:15 AM in response to Phil0124

    People keep saying "remove the network" but there is no way to remove A network.  "Forget this Network" only tells it to not automatically join a network (which is a complete misnomer and confusing to everyone). I have put in my suggestion to Apple to add a "clear this network" and/or re-enter user name and password" option.  That's been my problem while traveling.  You have to change user names on a network, but it doesn't let you.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Jul 18, 2013 7:05 AM in response to IPatronius
    Level 7 (27,754 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2013 7:05 AM in response to IPatronius

    IPatronius wrote:

     

    People keep saying "remove the network" but there is no way to remove A network.  "Forget this Network" only tells it to not automatically join a network (which is a complete misnomer and confusing to everyone).

    No, Forget This Network does exactly what it says.

    It removes all data associated with the network including its password, so when you try to connect to it again you will have to reenter the password for it. Since it has no "memory" of the network then it will not try to automatically join, but that''s a given since you are forgetting the network.   When you connect to the new network It will then remember that network and its password and attempt to connect automatically when its in range the next time. Wich of course you can prevent by turning on the "Ask to Join Networks" So it asks you every time.  It will still attempt to use the stored password for it when you answer yes though.

     

    If you find a network that has the same SSID as one that's already saved, you can use it to forget the old network and setup the new one.

  • by IPatronius,

    IPatronius IPatronius Jul 18, 2013 7:39 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 18, 2013 7:39 AM in response to Phil0124

    I guess yours works differently than mine - I just tried "forget this network" and it didn't join automatically, but the next time I selected that network, it joined and I didn't have to sign back in.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Jul 18, 2013 7:46 AM in response to IPatronius
    Level 7 (27,754 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 18, 2013 7:46 AM in response to IPatronius

    Are you sure the network requires a password?  I just tried it just to make sure, and After tapping on "Forget this network"  I immediately tapped on the office network again, and it asked for the password immediately.

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