iw

modern Linux wireless configuration tool, replacing iwconfig

TLDR

Scan for networks

$ iw dev wlan0 scan

Connect to open network

$ iw dev wlan0 connect SSID

Disconnect

$ iw dev wlan0 disconnect

Show connection info

$ iw dev wlan0 link

List interfaces

$ iw dev

List capabilities

$ iw phy

Show regulatory domain

$ iw reg get

SYNOPSIS

iw [OPTIONS] object command

DESCRIPTION

iw is the modern Linux wireless configuration tool, replacing iwconfig. It interfaces with cfg80211/nl80211 to configure wireless network interfaces, scan for networks, and manage connections.

PARAMETERS

dev interface

Operate on specific interface

phy phyN

Operate on specific physical device

scan

Scan for wireless networks

connect SSID

Connect to an open network

disconnect

Disconnect from current network

link

Show current connection status

reg get

Show regulatory domain information

set parameter value

Set interface parameters

INSTALL

sudo apt install iw

sudo dnf install iw

sudo pacman -S iw

sudo apk add iw

sudo zypper install iw

nix profile install nixpkgs#iw

CAVEATS

Only handles connection to open networks; for WPA/WPA2 use wpa_supplicant. Some operations require root privileges. Replaces the deprecated iwconfig tool.

HISTORY

iw is the successor to iwconfig, providing a modern interface to the Linux cfg80211 wireless subsystem.