Regardless of whether you have multiple access points in your house or got a bunch of saved networks in an area, you can get the best connection at all times by simply setting network priority. It is important to know that isn’t an option or button on your Apple devices that just lets you set a Wi-Fi network on priority. This is because your device will connect to one of the available networks automatically and it is typically the one with the best strength.
But, the problem arises when you are in areas with multiple Wi-Fi networks. Then your device might get connected to any one of the saved networks and it might not necessarily be the fastest one. But, you can manually manipulate this. Are you looking to set the Wi-Fi network priority on your Apple devices? Read on to know what you have to do.
Wi-Fi Network on Priority in Macs
macOS is all about user-friendliness and one of the features that are often ignored by Mac users is the ability of their device to prioritize saved networks by the order in which you want Mac to connect to them. This allows you to define which network has a higher priority so that your Mac will connect to them when they’re available and even if you’re working on a different network, your device will switch to the prioritized network when it becomes available.
If your Mac is connected to multiple networks, you can simply delete a Wi-Fi network that isn’t useful to you anymore. This will make sure that your device doesn’t get connected to a network that doesn’t offer you the speed and signal strength that you are looking for. Also, you can forget all of the accumulated networks and add them back again one by one. Remember that the last network which you add is going to be the high priority one.
Next, you can follow these steps:
- You can access the feature in your Mac that helps you prioritize Wi-Fi by clicking on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and go to Open Network Preferences or you can go to Settings and then to the Network preference pane.
- From the Network preference pane, make sure that you have selected Wi-Fi in the left sidebar and then from the right sidebar, you have to click on the ‘Advanced’ button which you can find toward the bottom.
- In the next window, you’ll be presented with a column titled ‘Preferred Networks’ where you’ll find all of your remembered networks and it will be listed. You will notice a ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons below that window and these buttons will help you to move the networks up and down according to your preference. So, the networks that you place on top of the list are going to be the high-priority ones and your device will first connect to them if they’re available. To lower the preference of the network, you just need to move it down the list.
When you’re done, simply click OK and your Mac will save those settings.
Wi-Fi Network Priority on Apple iOS
- Manually connect to a Wi-Fi network – Even though your device will probably automatically connect to a network, but if that is not your preferred network, you can always manually connect. You can do this on iPad, iPhone, and also Mac. On your iPad or iPhone, you can switch Wi-Fi networks from the Control Center or the Settings app. From the Control Center, you have to go to the Wi-Fi icon and from the list of available networks, select one that you prefer.
- Sync network priority from Mac to iPhone/iPad – If you own a Mac, you can set the Wi-Fi priority there (as mentioned before) and then sync the settings with your iPhone or iPad. You will have to be signed in with the same Apple ID on both the systems and also keep the iCloud keychain turned on. You can check these settings on System Preferences on your macOS and click on the Apple ID. Then make sure that the Keychain box is clicked. On your iPad or iPhone, you have to go to iCloud and then Keychain to ensure that it is toggled on. When both these settings are turned on, it means that you are ready to sync.
In conclusion, prioritizing Wi-Fi networks will most definitely help to bring better connection speed and range. Therefore, you can go ahead and try these hacks out if you want to have a more smoother experience.
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