Jan 16, 2020 Your Mac can use Wireless Diagnostics to perform additional analysis. Quit any apps that are open, and connect to your Wi-Fi network, if possible. Press and hold Option (Alt) ⌥ key, then choose Open Wireless Diagnostics from the Wi-Fi status menu. Sep 30, 2016 How To Access the Wi-Fi Scanner in Mac OS X Mavericks Step 1: Open Wireless Diagnostics Head up to your Mac’s menu bar and track down the WiFi icon. Once you’re there, push down the Option key ⌥ (next to the CTRL key) on your keyboard and click the icon at the same time. On the Mac, open Finder, click Go in the top menu bar, and then click Applications. Double-click the HP folder, and then double-click HP Utility. Note: If you cannot find HP Utility, try scanning with another app or method, such as HP Easy Scan or Scan to Email.
A new Wi-Fi scanner tool is in Mountain Lion’s refreshed Wi-Fi Diagnostics Utility, allowing users to easily discover Wi-Fi networks within range and view related data not available from Apple’s Wi-Fi menu bar item. Comparable to third-party Wi-Fi stumbler tool iStumbler, the scan tool provides data for BSSID, band, protocol, channel, signal strength, security, and more. It also has Active and Passive scan modes.
From the window, you can see what networks are in your area and their strength. Some maneuvering of base stations can increase coverage to the outermost areas of your house, and it is much, much easier to see slight differences in numerical signal vs. noise strength over those four waves Apple uses in its Wi-Fi menu.
Additionally, by looking at what Channel (1-13) your base station is on, compared to your neighbors (or other base stations in your house), you can often find the least used channel in your area to improve reception.
If you are interested in using the new Wi-Fi scanner tool, OSX Daily provided the necessary steps for quick access:
From any Finder window, hit Command+Shift+G and enter the path: /System/Library/CoreServices/
Locate “Wi-Fi Diagnostics” and drag and drop it into Launchpad or the OS X Dock for easy access
Now that you have the Wi-Fi app in an easy-to-find location:
Launch Wi-Fi Diagnostics and ignore the frontmost menu, instead hit Command+N to summon the new “Network Utilities” window (this is also where the wireless signal strength measurement tool is located now)
Click the “Wi-Fi Scan” tab to get started with the wireless stumbler tool.
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Connect to Wi-Fi
You can use the Wi-Fi menu to quickly connect to a nearby wireless network.
Click the Wi-Fi icon ( or ) in the menu bar.
If Wi-Fi is off, choose 'Turn Wi-Fi on.'
Select a nearby Wi-Fi network from the list.
If you don't see your network listed, make sure it's nearby and that others can connect to it. It could also be a 'hidden' network. You can connect to a hidden network by choosing 'Join other network' and entering the name of the network you're trying to use.
The strength of each nearby network is shown next to its name. More darkened bars indicate a stronger network connection.
Enter your password
Networks that have a lock icon next to their name require a password. After you select your network, enter the network password when you're prompted. If you don't know the network password, check with the owner of the Wi-Fi network you're trying to join.
Use a cellular device as your Wi-Fi connection
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Depending on your cellular plan, your iPhone or iPad with cellular can share its Internet connection with your Mac. When your iOS device is configured properly and is near your Mac, it appears in the Wi-Fi menu as an available connection.
When you select a cellular device as your Internet connection, the menu icon changes to indicate your Mac is currently linked to the device ( ).
Turn Wi-Fi on or off
If you're in an environment where Wi-Fi isn't permitted (like on some airline flights) you can quickly turn off Wi-Fi from this menu.
Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
Choose 'Turn Wi-Fi off.'
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When Wi-Fi is turned off, the menu icon changes to and empty indicator ( ). When you're ready to use Wi-Fi again, click the menu icon and choose 'Turn Wi-Fi on.' Then connect to the network you want to join if your Mac doesn't join it automatically.
If you don't see the Wi-Fi menu
You can enable and disable the Wi-Fi menu from the Network pane of System Preferences.
From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
Click Network in the System Preferences window.
Select Wi-Fi in the list of available network connections.
Select (check) the option to 'Show Wi-Fi status in menu bar.'
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Create a network
If you want to create a temporary Wi-Fi connection between your Mac and another device, you can create your own network from the Wi-Fi menu.
Click the Wi-Fi menu and choose Create Network.
Enter the details for your network, such as a network name and channel
When you create a computer-to-computer network, the menu icon changes to show a computer (). When you're done, click the Wi-Fi menu again and choose Disconnect to close the network you created.