Use Wi-Fi 6E networks with Apple devices

Wi-Fi 6E uses the 6 GHz 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, all models of iPhone 16 except iPhone 16e, 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 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz 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 2.4 GHz  band, the 5 GHz  band, and the Wi-Fi 6E network’s 6 GHz  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 5 GHz  network and asks whether you want to join it for better compatibility:

• If you select OK or Join, your device joins the 5 GHz  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 6 GHz  band. Use of Wi-Fi 6E on other networks isn't affected.

Learn more about Wi-Fi specifications for Apple devices. Wi‑Fi 6E connectivity is available in countries that support Wi-Fi 6E.