> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.intuitibits.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Capture using the built-in Wi-Fi adapter

> Capture Wi-Fi traffic on single or multiple channels using the built-in Wi-Fi adapter in Airtool 2.

*Airtool 2* can capture Wi-Fi traffic using the built-in Wi-Fi adapter, either on a single channel or across multiple channels. A single channel capture stays on one channel and captures all of its traffic. A multiple channel capture hops between several channels to get a broader view of the Wi-Fi environment, at the cost of missing some traffic on each channel while hopping.

***

## Capture on a single channel

Single channel captures can be done by choosing *Capture on* from the *Airtool 2* menu.

When the adapter is associated to a network, *Airtool 2* will disconnect the adapter, put it into *monitor mode*, and then start the capture using the channel and channel width currently in use by the Wi-Fi interface.

To capture using a different channel or channel width, select the desired combination from **Capture on Other 2.4 GHz**, **Capture on Other 5 GHz**, or **Capture on Other 6 GHz** in the *Airtool 2* menu.

<Note>
  Capturing on 6 GHz channels is available on Mac computers with Wi-Fi 6E support only.
</Note>

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## Capture on multiple channels

Multiple, non-simultaneous, channel captures can be done by selecting *Capture on All Channels* and then choosing the desired band(s) from the *Airtool 2* menu.

<Note>
  Multiple channel captures are not available on Mac computers with the Apple M1 chip.
</Note>

When doing a multiple channel capture, *Airtool 2* iterates (hops) over the list of selected channels using a dwell time of `250 ms`. The dwell time is the amount of time *Airtool 2* will listen on a channel before switching to the next channel. The channel dwell time can be changed by going to the *Airtool 2* menu bar extra > *Settings* > *Advanced*. The minimum dwell time is `100 ms`.

<Note>
  Because *Airtool 2* is *hopping* between channels, not all traffic will be captured. Capturing on multiple channels is usually done to get a general overview of the Wi-Fi environment or to meet particular troubleshooting requirements.
</Note>

For any option that includes the 5 GHz band, all channels (*UNII-1*, *UNII-2A*, *UNII-2C*, *UNII-3*, and *UNII-4*) are considered by default for a multiple channel capture. You can deselect a band by going to the *Airtool 2* menu bar extra > *Settings* > *Advanced*.

For any option that includes the 6 GHz band, all channels (UNII-5, UNII-6, UNII-7, and UNII-8) are considered by default for a multiple channel capture. You can deselect a band by going to the *Airtool 2* menu bar extra > *Settings* > *Advanced*. When you choose **6 GHz (PSC only)**, only the Preferred Scanning Channels (PSC) in the selected UNII bands are used for capturing.

<Note>
  Multiple channel captures can only be done using 20 MHz channel width.
</Note>

When the capture is done, *Airtool 2* will automatically set the channel and channel width back to what it was set before the capture started.

## See also

* [Do live captures with Wireshark](/airtool2/do-live-captures-with-wireshark)
* [Use automatic frame slicing](/airtool2/use-automatic-frame-slicing)
* [Change Advanced settings](/airtool2/advanced-settings)