How To Use AirPort Utility Wi-Fi Scanner

How To Use AirPort Utility Wi-Fi Scanner

Download the AirPort Utility app. If you have one of Apple’s AirPort routers, you can easily check which band you’re connected to using the AirPort Utility app. You can also get information about other Wi-Fi networks even if you don’t have an AirPort router. If you haven’t already done so, download it from the App Store. Tap the AirPort Utility app icon to open the app.

Open Settings. In order to use AirPort Utility to scan for Wi-Fi networks, you’ll need to turn on Wi-Fi Scanning. Start by opening the Image titled Iphonesettingsappicon.png Settings app.

Tap the AirPort Utility icon. In Settings, scroll down to the list of apps and select AirPort Utility. This will open a settings menu.

Toggle on Wi-Fi Scanner. At the bottom of the AirPort Utility Settings menu, you should see a toggle button next to Wi-Fi Scanner. Tap the toggle button to turn this setting on. The button will turn green Image titled Iphoneswitchonicon1.png once the scanner is activated.

Leaving this setting on can drain your battery quickly, so remember to turn it off again when you’re done with your scan.

Tap Wi-Fi Scan in the AirPort Utility app. Open the app and tap the blue link in the top right corner that says Wi-Fi Scan. This will open a new screen that will allow you to scan for nearby local Wi-Fi networks, whether or not they are associated with AirPort routers.

Select Scan in the top right corner. Within a few seconds, you should see a list of nearby Wi-Fi networks.

Look at the channel information to determine the band strength. Under the name of each network, you’ll see a variety of data about the network. To figure out if a network is 5GHz or 2.4GHz, look at the number next to the word Channel. If you’re in the U.S., any network on channel 1-11 is 2.4GHz, while any channel number greater than 11 is 5GHz.[11]

• So, for instance, a channel number of 6 would indicate a 2.4GHz network, while a channel number of 40 indicates a 5GHz network.
• If you have a dual-band router and both bands have the same network name, this utility will display the bands as two separate networks with the same name.
• If you live outside the U.S., the channel numbers may differ. For example, in most parts of the world, channels 1-13 are in the 2.4GHz range, while higher channel numbers are associated with the 5GHz band. In Japan, channel 14 is included in the 2.4GHz band.

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