By default of the operating system, Mac computers always try to automatically connect to the most recently used Wi-Fi network. However, Apple's programmers wanted to make life easier for users by allowing you to change the default Wi-Fi network to connect to and remove those no longer in use quickly and easily.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Access the Wi-Fi Connection Configuration Settings
Step 1. Click the Apple logo icon
It is located in the upper left corner of the desktop, exactly on the menu bar. A new drop-down menu will appear with several options available to you.
Step 2. Choose the "System Preferences" item
A new dialog will appear.
Step 3. Click on the "Network" icon
It features a globe that contains several lines connecting randomly arranged points.
Step 4. Verify that the "Wi-Fi" connection is the highlighted item in the left pane of the window that appears
If the "Wi-Fi" network interface is not already selected, click it with the mouse.
- If "Wi-Fi" is not in the menu, press the "+" button at the bottom of the list of network interfaces installed on your computer. Select the "Interface" drop-down menu, then choose the "Wi-Fi" option. Assign a name to the new network service by typing it in the appropriate text field, then press the "Create" button.
- In order to use the "Wi-Fi" network interface, your Mac must have a working AirPort card.
- In older versions of the OS X operating system, the "Wi-Fi" network interface is called "AirPort".
Part 2 of 2: Change the Wi-Fi Connection Configuration Settings
Step 1. Press the "Advanced" button
It is located in the lower right part of the "Network" window. Pressing the button in question will display a new menu.
Step 2. Locate the "Favorite Networks" box
The "Wi-Fi" tab of the window that appears should contain the complete list of all the Wi-Fi networks you connected to using the Mac in question. The first network in the list is the default.
- Whenever the Mac is within range of two or more Wi-Fi networks in the "Favorite Networks" list, it will automatically connect to the one that occupies the most relevant position.
- If the "Favorite Networks" list does not contain the Wi-Fi networks you are looking for, press the "+" button to manually add a new one. The "Show Network" button displays the complete list of all available Wi-Fi networks in the area where your computer is currently located. Choose the one you want to connect to, then press the "Login" button. In order to connect to most modern Wi-Fi networks, you will need to type in their authentication password.
Step 3. Drag the Wi-Fi network you want to make default to the top of the "Favorite Networks" list
Scroll through the complete list until you find the Wi-Fi network your Mac should use as the default connection. At this point, select it with the mouse and drag it to the first place in the list.
Step 4. Delete a Wi-Fi network (optional step)
If you wish, you can delete one or more networks from those listed in the "Favorite Networks" list. To do this, simply select the network to remove and press the "-" button. A small popup window will appear asking you to confirm your action. To complete the deletion procedure, press the "Remove" button.
Step 5. When done, hit the "OK" button
It is located in the lower right part of the "Network" window. This way the new configuration settings will be saved and applied immediately and the window will be closed.
