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Android: Forget a Saved Wi-Fi Network

If your phone keeps trying to latch onto a weak or long-unused Wi-Fi network, or your battery drains faster than it should, old saved networks are often the reason. Android scans for every saved network in range at regular intervals, including ones you never use anymore. Clearing out networks you no longer need stops that constant background scanning.

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Step 1 of 6: Tap on **Settings**

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Android 14 · Android 14
Forget Saved Wi-Fi Networks – Android 14: step 1 – Tap on Settings
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Android

Forget Saved Wi-Fi Networks auf Android

Android keeps a list of every Wi-Fi network you have ever connected to, along with its password. Each entry stays active in the background, which means your phone periodically checks whether that network is nearby, even years after you last used it.

The more saved networks pile up, the more scanning happens. On some devices this measurably shortens battery life and can also cause your phone to hesitate between multiple known networks in the same area, slowing down reconnection.

To remove a network permanently, go to SettingsNetwork & internetInternetSaved networks. Tap the network you want to remove, then confirm with Forget.

This deletes the stored password and connection settings for that network. Your phone will no longer auto-connect to it, and you will need to enter the password again if you want to join it in the future.

If you only want to stop auto-connecting temporarily without losing the saved password, disabling Wi-Fi in that location or turning off auto-join for that specific network is a lighter alternative. Forgetting the network is the right move when you have moved, changed routers, or simply no longer trust or use that connection.

Frequently asked questions

Your phone disconnects immediately and switches to mobile data or another saved network if one is in range. You will need to enter the password again to reconnect later, since forgetting a network removes it from Saved networks completely.