How to stop auto-join Wi-Fi on iPhone, iPad, Mac


Automatically connecting to a saved Wi-Fi network saves time. However, it may be annoying when your device keeps auto-joining known Wi-Fi without permission. Also, this can raise security threats if you’re on the move and your device connects to public networks. Fortunately, you can stop automatically connecting to Wi-Fi, so your devices never connect to a network without your permission. In this blog, I will share how to stop Wi-Fi auto-join on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

How to turn off Wi-Fi auto-join on iPhone or iPad

  1. Launch Settings → Select Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the info icon next to the saved network.
  3. Now, toggle off Auto-Join.

    Access Wi Fi press info icon toggle off auto join in settings app

The process does not require you to stay connected to the network; you can disable the automatic network connection as long as it is saved. Besides, you must delete the saved public networks to prevent automatic Wi-Fi connections.

How to forget Wi-Fi network on iPhone or iPad

  1. Open Settings → Navigate to Wi-FiEdit.
  2. Enter the passcode of your device to proceed.
  3. Tap the minus (-) icon next to the network.

    Tap edit enter passcode tap delete in settings app
  4. Hit DeleteDone → Select Remove when prompted.

    Tap delete done remove in settings app

How to disable Wi-Fi Auto-Join on Mac

Now that you know how to stop Wi-Fi from auto-connecting on your iPhone, you must do the same on your Mac. Follow the steps below.

Ventura and later

  1. Click the Apple logo () System Settings.

    Select Apple logo and choose System Settings
  2. Navigate to the Wi-Fi → Press Details for the network you’re connected to.

    click wi fi select details in system settings
  3. Now, toggle off Automatically join this network → Click OK.
    Enter your Mac password if prompted.

    toggle off automatically join this network click ok in system settings
  4. If you’re not connected to the network and still want to stop Wi-Fi auto-connect, click the three-dot icon next to the network and uncheck Auto-Join.

    click three dot icon select auto join in system setting

Monterey and earlier

  1. Click the Apple logo ()System Preferences.

    Select System Preferences from Mac Manu Bar
  2. Access Network from the menu.

    select network in system preferences
  3. Select the network from the drop-down menu.

    select your network in system preferences
  4. Uncheck Automatically join this network.

    uncheck automatically join this netowrk in network settings

How to forget Wi-Fi network on Mac

Alternatively, you can avoid the threat of cyberattacks or data breaches by removing open networks from your Mac.

Ventura and later

  1. Navigate to the Apple logo ()System Settings.
  2. Go to Wi-Fi → Click Details next to the connected network.
  3. Press Forget This Network.
    If you’re not connected to the network, click the three-dot icon and press Forget This Network.

    click forget this network in system setting
  4. Hit Remove when prompted.

    click remove in wi fi settings

Monterey and earlier

  1. Click Apple logo ()System PreferencesNetwork.
  2. Select Advanced.

    click advanced in network settings
  3. Select the network you prefer to remove → Hit the minus (-) icon.
    Additionally, disable auto-connect for other saved networks by unchecking Auto-Join.

    select the network click minus ok in network settings
  4. Hit OKApply.

    click apply in network settings

Save yourself! 

The automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks feature is convenient yet dangerous, as your device may pair with an unsecured network. So, you should take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming a victim. You may reset your network settings if you face issues disabling the auto-join Wi-Fi feature.  

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author avatar
Suraj
Suraj is an operations head on the iGB team. He contributes to the social media section along with tips and tricks for iPhone, Apple Watch. Apart from blogging, he likes to work out as much as he can in his gym and love to listening to retro music.

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