How To Access The WiFi Scanner In macOS Sierra – Let’s Talk Tech

Posted bybrownstudy7975 Leave a comment on How To Access The WiFi Scanner In macOS Sierra – Let’s Talk Tech

I was looking for a wifi scanner to check whether there were less cluttered wifi channels in our area. Specifying a less-populated channel can reduce interference and provide a more pleasing experience.

Lo, there is a Wireless Diagnostic utility included with macOS. It takes an Option key press on the wifi icon in the menubar to get to it, so it is definitely non-obvious — why does Apple hide this kind of thing? 

The instructions on Let’s Talk Tech page are clear and short. The utility told me the best 2.4 and 5 GHz channels to specify, and we’re trying them out now. So far, so good, though the 5 GHz recommendations seem to change whenever I check them. 

The panel on the right shows all the wifi networks in our neighborhood, the wireless protocol they're using, the band (2.4 or 5 GHz) and, most important, their channels. The summary in the left panel recommends the best channels that  take advantage of less-populated bands.
The panel on the right shows all the wifi networks in our neighborhood, the wireless protocol they’re using, the band (2.4 or 5 GHz) and, most important, their channels. The summary in the left panel recommends the best channels that  take advantage of less-populated bands.

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