A WiFi scanner is a tool that enables the user to discover the details related to nearby WiFi networks. Many WiFi scanners are software applications, but there are also hardware implementations that possess the same functionality. In some cases, a hardware device may be more convenient than a program that requires the use of a computer in order to be useful.

We will be concentrating on the software side of WiFi scanners for the Mac and will point out some specific applications later in this article. We will be using a MacBook Air and the NetSpot WiFi scanning app to illustrate the features and uses of a Mac WiFi scanner. Most quality WiFI scanners will report essentially the same information.