>

Scan Nearby Wi-Fi Networks with the airport Command

List surrounding Wi-Fi networks with signal, channel, and encryption type using the hidden airport scan command.

macOSWi-FisecurityairportMedium risk
Run sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/A/Resources/airport -s to scan and list nearby networks with their security type.

01Command

Command
$ sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/A/Resources/airport -s

02What it does

macOS hides a small private tool called airport inside the Apple80211 framework; with -s it performs a site survey of every network in range and prints SSID, BSSID, RSSI (signal), channel, and the security mode (NONE, WPA2, WPA3...). It is the quickest way to find out whether the network you are about to join is open, to find the least crowded channel before positioning a router, or to spot a neighbour's network piggy-backing your SSID. For just your current connection, airport -I shows RSSI, noise, and transmit rate.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
RequirementsThe airport helper was removed on macOS Sonoma 14.4+; on those systems use Wireless Diagnostics (Window > Scan) instead.
!Warning: airport is an undocumented private framework tool: Apple removed the binary in macOS Sonoma 14.4 and later, where you should use Wireless Diagnostics' Scan window instead. A network labelled NONE is unencrypted — avoid entering passwords on it.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • airport - Wireless Link Configuration
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents the airport -s scan, listing SSID, BSSID, RSSI, channel, and security (encryption) type of nearby networks.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: Security & Privacy

06Related solutions

Reset the Wi-Fi connection on Mac
macOSWi-FiTerminal

Power-cycle the Wi-Fi interface to fix dropouts and stuck connections — no reboot needed.

Medium risk ✓ 2026-09-16
Create an Encrypted Disk Image with hdiutil
macOShdiutilsecuritydisk-image

Build an AES-256 encrypted .dmg vault from the Terminal — no Disk Utility clicking required.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17
Verify an App's Code Signature with codesign
macOSGatekeepersignaturecodesign

Check whether an application bundle was signed properly and hasn't been modified since.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17