Use Wi-Fi 6E networks with Apple devices

Wi-Fi 6E uses the 6GHz wireless band to enable faster and more reliable wireless connections on supported devices. Here’s how to get the best wireless performance when using Wi-Fi 6E with an Apple device.

What you need to use Wi-Fi 6E

To join a Wi-Fi 6E network, you need one of these Apple devices:

• MacBook Air introduced in 2024 or later

• MacBook Pro introduced in 2023 or later

• iMac introduced in 2023 or later

• Mac mini introduced in 2023 or later

• Mac Studio introduced in 2023 or later

• Mac Pro introduced in 2023 or later

• iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 (all models), or later

• iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9 inch (6th generation), or later

• iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), or later

• iPad mini (A17 Pro) or later

To create a Wi-Fi 6E network, you need a Wi-Fi router or access point that supports Wi-Fi 6E and has its 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands also enabled, preferably using a single network name (SSID) across all bands.

About Wi-Fi 6E networks that have limited compatibility

For best performance with Apple devices, the Wi-Fi router providing the network should use a single network name across all of its wireless bands: the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the Wi-Fi 6E network’s 6GHz band.

If the router isn’t using the same name for all bands, your device identifies the network as having limited compatibility. It then finds the name of the corresponding 5GHz network and asks whether you want to join it for better compatibility:

• If you select OK or Join, your device joins the 5GHz network without the benefits of Wi-Fi 6E.

• If you select Not Now, your device continues to use the Wi-Fi 6E network, but your overall experience with some activities over the network might not be as expected.

If you administer the Wi-Fi router, you can use its configuration webpage or app to edit the name of each band so that all bands have the same name. Your device can then rejoin the Wi-Fi 6E network with full compatibility. For more information about network names and other settings, consult the recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points.

How to turn off Wi-Fi 6E mode on your device

For Wi-Fi 6E networks that use a single network name as recommended, if you experience any issues with your use of the network, you can turn off Wi-Fi 6E mode when connected to that network. Your device will then no longer use that network’s 6GHz band. Use of Wi-Fi 6E on other networks isn't affected.

Learn more about Wi-Fi specifications for Apple devices.