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You can scan for Wi-Fi networks using the built-in Wi-Fi adapter in active or passive scan mode. In active scan mode, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 sends probe requests on each channel and listens for the probe responses sent back by nearby access points; this mode can be used while connected to a Wi-Fi network. In passive scan mode, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 puts the adapter into monitor mode and listens for the beacons access points broadcast on their own, which requires disconnecting from any currently associated network. Passive scan mode isn’t available on Macs with the M1 chip, and is currently unreliable on M5 Pro, M5 Max, M5 MacBook Air, and MacBook Neo models running macOS Tahoe due to a known channel-switching issue. The following sections describe each mode in more detail.
Since macOS Mojave 10.14, Apple’s CoreWLAN framework restricts access to network information, such as the network name (SSID) and BSSID, unless Location Services is authorized for WiFi Explorer Pro 3. Without this permission, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 cannot scan for or display wireless networks. See Enable Location Services below.
The bands and channels visible in WiFi Explorer Pro 3 depend on the Mac’s Wi-Fi hardware, the regulatory domain, and the scan source.

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Scan for networks using active scan mode

When using active scan mode, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 sends probe requests on each supported channel for the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. When a nearby access point receives a probe request, it replies with a probe response. A probe response includes a set of information elements that describe the wireless network’s capabilities and configuration. This mode can be used while connected to a Wi-Fi network.
The scanning interval is automatically determined by how fast the Wi-Fi adapter can scan for wireless networks and cannot be changed.
There are two types of active scan: active scan mode and directed scan mode. In directed scan mode, the probe request includes the SSID of a particular network. Only access points advertising a network that matches the SSID in the probe request reply with a probe response.

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Choose active scan mode

  1. Click on the Scan Mode menu in WiFi Explorer Pro 3’s toolbar.
  2. Select Active or Directed mode.
When using directed scan mode, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 prompts you to enter the SSID of the network you want to include in the probe request.

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Scan for networks using passive scan mode

When using passive scan mode, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 puts the built-in Wi-Fi adapter into monitor mode and listens for beacons (and probe responses) sent by nearby access points on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz channels.
Passive scan mode isn’t available on Macs with the M1 chip. It’s also currently unreliable on M5 Pro, M5 Max, M5 MacBook Air, and MacBook Neo models running macOS Tahoe, due to a known issue switching channels while in monitor mode. This may be resolved in a future macOS update.
A passive scan cannot be performed while associated with a network. WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will automatically disconnect the Wi-Fi adapter if necessary and attempt to reconnect after stopping the scan.
Beacons are periodically sent by access points to advertise a Wi-Fi network and for coordination with other nearby stations. Same as probe responses, beacons include a set of information elements that describe the wireless network’s capabilities and configuration.
Except on very specific cases, beacons and probe responses are identical. In other words, they include the same set of information elements.
There are two types of passive scan, All Channels and Single Channel. When doing a passive scan on all channels, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 hops between each supported channel and listens, on each channel, only for a small amount of time (dwell time). This dwell time is not fixed, and WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will automatically adjust it to optimize the overall scan time based on how busy a channel appears. When doing a passive scan on a single channel, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 sets the Wi-Fi adapter to a specific channel and listens for beacons 100% of the scan time.
Use passive scan mode on a single channel when troubleshooting busy environments or to improve client detection for a given BSSID.

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Choose passive scan mode

  1. Click on the Scan Mode menu in WiFi Explorer Pro 3’s toolbar.
  2. Select All Channels or Single Channel mode.
When using Single Channel mode, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will prompt you to enter the channel number to listen for beacons from nearby access points.

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Enable Location Services

WiFi Explorer Pro 3 will never try to determine, save, or share your physical location. The Location Services permission is used exclusively to let WiFi Explorer Pro 3 access network information from macOS.
  1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
  2. Turn on Location Services if it isn’t already enabled.
  3. Find WiFi Explorer Pro 3 in the list and select its checkbox.
WiFi Explorer Pro 3 only appears in the Location Services list after you’ve launched it at least once.

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See also