Whether you got a new Mac, a new Wi-Fi router, or you're visiting somewhere you've never connected from before — hotel, coffee shop, Airport, wherever! — getting your Mac up and running on wireless only takes a few moments and a few clicks!

Before you start

Before you get started, you are going to need to know a couple of things. All private Wi-Fi networks will have a name (SSID), and most will be password protected.

Public Wi-Fi networks, like the ones used at coffee shops and hotels, typically have a login screen you need to go through first. That might just require agreeing to the terms of service, entering a password, and paying a fee.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

Either way, make sure you know the name of the network you want to connect to, and any login information you may need before you start.

How to turn on Wi-Fi on Mac

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon toward the upper right of your screen in the menu bar. It looks like a pizza slice.

  2. Click Turn Wi-Fi On.

    Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and then click Turn Wi-fi On.

How to join a Wi-Fi network on Mac

Before you can join a network, you will have to make sure that you have your Wi-Fi turned on.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon toward the upper right of your screen in the menu bar. It looks like a pizza slice.

  2. Click on the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to join.

    Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and then click on the name of the Wi-Fi network you want to join.

  3. Type in the password associated with the Wi-Fi network if prompted.

  4. Click on the Join button. If successful, your Wi-Fi status will change to Connected.

    Type in the password if prompted and then click on the Join button.

How to join an "other network" from the menu bar on Mac

If the network you want to join has it's SSID hidden, you won't see it in the list of Wi-Fi networks available to you; you'll need to enter it manually.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon toward the upper right of your screen in the menu bar. It looks like a pizza slice.

  2. Click on Join Other Network.

    Click on the Wi-fi icon in the menu bar and then click Join Other Network.

  3. Type in the Network name.

  4. Click on the dropdown menu.

    Typ on the network name and click on the dropdown menu.

  5. Choose the type of security from the following list of options.
    • None
    • WEP
    • WPA/WPA2 Personal
    • WPA2 Personal
    • Dynamic WEP
    • WPA/WPA2 Enterprise
    • WPA2 Enterprise

  6. Type in the password if needed.

    Slect the typ of security the network has from the list and then type in the password if prompted.

  7. Click on the Join button.

    Click on the Join button.

How to forget a Wi-Fi a network on Mac

Once your Mac has successfully connected to a Wi-Fi network, it will automatically connect to that network in the future. If you don't want this to happen, all you need to do it tell your Mac to forget the network.

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon toward the upper right of your screen in the menu bar. It looks like a pizza slice.

  2. Click on Open Network Preferences.

    Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and then click on Open Network Preferences.

  3. Click the Advanced button.

  4. Click the Wi-Fi tab.

    Click on the Advanced button and then click on the Wi-Fi tab.

  5. Select the network(s) you'd like your Mac to forget.

  6. Click on the minus (-) button.

    Select the network(s) you want to forget and then click the - button.

  7. Click on the OK button.

  8. Click on the Apply button.

    Click on OK and then Click on Apply.

macOS Big Sur

Main