Forget a Saved Wireless Network on macOS

Issues

• My Mac can't connect to the BOWDOIN or eduroam wireless network.
• My Mac keeps asking for my Wi-Fi password even though I enter it correctly.
• The Service Desk asked me to forget the BOWDOIN or eduroam network — how do I do that on a Mac?
• How do I remove a saved Wi-Fi network on macOS?
• My Mac was connected to campus Wi-Fi before but stopped working after an update.
• How do I delete a wireless certificate from Keychain Access on my Mac?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff removing a saved BOWDOIN or eduroam wireless network profile from a Mac. Forgetting a network removes the stored connection profile and any cached security certificates, which can resolve authentication failures that occur after macOS updates or campus network changes. Supported macOS versions: Sequoia (15.x) and Tahoe (26.x).

Resolution

Step 1: Forget the wireless network

The steps differ slightly depending on whether your Mac is currently connected to the network you want to forget or whether it is saved but you are not actively connected.

If you are currently connected to the network

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen and choose Wi-Fi Settings.
2. Click the Details... button next to the network you want to forget (the one shown as currently connected).
3. Click Forget This Network, then click Remove to confirm.

If the network is saved but you are not currently connected

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and choose Wi-Fi Settings.
2. Scroll down to the Known Networks list.
3. Click the ••• (three-dot) button to the right of the network you want to remove.
4. Select Forget This Network, then click Remove to confirm.

Repeat for both BOWDOIN and eduroam if both are saved on your Mac.

Step 2: Clear saved certificates from Keychain Access

The BOWDOIN and eduroam networks are enterprise wireless networks that use security certificates for authentication. When you forget the network, macOS removes the connection profile but may leave behind old certificates in Keychain Access. Clearing these ensures your Mac does not try to authenticate with an outdated certificate when you reconnect.

1. Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type Keychain Access, and press Return.
2. In the left sidebar under Default Keychains, click login.
3. Click the Certificates category in the right panel.
4. In the search bar at the top right, type wireless.bowdoin.edu.
5. If any certificates appear in the results, select them and press Delete, then confirm deletion.
6. Close Keychain Access.

Step 3: Reconnect to the network

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select BOWDOIN or eduroam from the list of available networks.
2. Enter your Bowdoin credentials when prompted:
   • For BOWDOIN: enter your Bowdoin username (e.g., jdoe) and password.
   • For eduroam: enter your full Bowdoin email address (e.g., jdoe@bowdoin.edu) and password.
3. If prompted to accept a security certificate, verify the server name reads radius.bowdoin.edu, then click Continue. You may be asked to enter your Mac login password to confirm.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

• Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
• Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
• In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
• Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.