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WiFi Network Management

Switching networks on Raspberry Pi — home, classroom, and beyond.

Modern Raspberry Pi OS uses NetworkManager for WiFi configuration. Three methods available, plus an emergency fallback.

METHOD 1

nmtui — Text Menu Interface RECOMMENDED

ssh orbit && sudo nmtui

You can add networks you're not currently near — perfect for pre-configuring classroom WiFi from home.

1 Select "Activate a connection" to see current networks, or "Edit a connection" to add new ones

2 Choose "Add" → select "Wi-Fi"

3 Enter SSID (e.g. ClassroomWiFi) and password

4 Tab to "OK" → Enter → Tab to "Back" → Enter → "Quit"

Auto-connect: You can save as many networks as you want. The Pi will automatically connect to any available saved network.

Full guide →

METHOD 2

nmcli — Command Line

# List available WiFi networks
nmcli device wifi list

# Connect to a network (saves automatically)
sudo nmcli device wifi connect "ClassroomWiFi" password "classpassword"

# List saved connections
nmcli connection show

# Switch to a previously saved network
nmcli connection up "ClassroomWiFi"

# Delete a saved network
sudo nmcli connection delete "OldNetwork"

Note: nmcli device wifi connect only works if the network is currently in range. To add a network you're not near, use nmtui instead.

Full guide →

METHOD 3 & STATUS

raspi-config + Check Current WiFi

raspi-config (Menu Interface)

sudo raspi-config
# Navigate:
#   System Options
#     → Wireless LAN
# Enter new SSID and password
# Reboot when prompted

Check Current WiFi Settings

# Which network am I on?
nmcli device wifi

# Detailed active connection info
nmcli connection show --active

# Show saved WiFi password
sudo nmcli connection show \
  "YourNetworkName" | grep psk

Full guide →

EMERGENCY FALLBACK

SD Card Method — When Completely Locked Out

1 Power off the Pi and remove the SD card

2 Insert the SD card into your computer

3 In the boot partition, create wpa_supplicant.conf with the content below

country=US
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1

network={
    ssid="ClassroomWiFi"
    psk="classpassword"
}

4 Save, eject the SD card, and boot the Pi

5 Once connected, the Pi will import this config into NetworkManager automatically

Full guide →