Tell me more ×
Ask Different is a question and answer site for power users of Apple hardware and software. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

When OSX already knows an wifi network it auto connects to it, but when it doesn't know the wifi network it will auto connect depending of the setting of the "ask to join" toggle setting in system preferences.

How do you force OSX to ask to join for every wifi network, whether it is known or not? I don't want OSX to ever connect automatically.

share|improve this question
I've looked at the networksetup command line and found nothing :-( – CodeFlakes Feb 10 '12 at 18:54

3 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

The only way to stop from automatically joining a preferred or known wifi network, is to not store the password for that network and type it in each time without clicking the "save password" button.

Ass soon as you save the password the network will be added to the preferred list even if the remember networks button isn't selected, and it will connect to it automatically (or rather it will connect to the first one on the list that is finds in the order in which you have them listed).

share|improve this answer
But despite being very annoying to have to enter the password each time it won't work for an open access point isn't it ? If I connect to "free wifi" one time it will connect back to it automatically – CodeFlakes Feb 10 '12 at 15:13
Not if you set it to not remember networks you have joined. Realise this doesn't give you a solution, but it is the answer, if you see what I mean. – stuffe Feb 10 '12 at 15:16
up vote 1 down vote

In System Preferences | Network Preferences, click the Advanced button. On the Airport tab (should already be selected) of the dialog that comes up, untick "Remember networks this computer has joined". In the "Preferred Networks:" box above it, select all of the known networks and delete them. You should have a naive WiFi after that.

share|improve this answer
Thanks for you answer but that's not exactly what I need. I dont want osx to forget my networks. I just want it to ask me each time confirmation to connect (but without having to type the password again) – CodeFlakes Feb 10 '12 at 15:12
That may be your only other choice; I can't find any reference to such an option. – JRobert Feb 10 '12 at 15:20
Indeed I'm very surprised that there isn't a hack somewhere to do that :-/ – CodeFlakes Feb 10 '12 at 15:24
up vote 0 down vote

Turn off the wifi til you are ready to go online. A top of your screen you see the little airport symbol..click on it and there is the option to turn off the wifi

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.