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iw dev — Show and manipulate wireless devices. For a list of channels, frequencies, and reg information: <htt

Submitted by: @import:tldr-pages·Mar 2, 2026·

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commanddevicesshowandmanipulateiw devcliwireless

linux

Problem

How to use the iw dev command: Show and manipulate wireless devices. For a list of channels, frequencies, and reg information: <https://wireless.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/en/developers/documentation/channellist.html>. More information: <https://wireless.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/en/users/documentation/iw.html>.

Solution

iw dev — Show and manipulate wireless devices. For a list of channels, frequencies, and reg information: <https://wireless.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/en/developers/documentation/channellist.html>. More information: <https://wireless.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/en/users/documentation/iw.html>.

Set device to monitor mode (interface must be down first. See also: ip link):

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set type monitor

Set device to managed mode (interface must be down first):

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set type managed

Set device Wi-Fi channel (device must first be in monitor mode with the interface up):

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set channel {{channel_number}}

Set device Wi-Fi frequency in Mhz (device must first be in monitor mode with the interface up):

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set freq {{freq_in_mhz}}

Show all known station info:

iw dev {{wlp}} station dump

Create a virtual interface in monitor mode with a specific MAC address:

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} interface add "{{vif_name}}" type monitor addr {{12:34:56:aa:bb:cc}}

Delete virtual interface:

sudo iw dev "{{vif_name}}" del

Code Snippets

Set device to monitor mode (interface must be down first. See also: `ip link`)

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set type monitor

Set device to managed mode (interface must be down first)

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set type managed

Set device Wi-Fi channel (device must first be in monitor mode with the interface up)

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set channel {{channel_number}}

Set device Wi-Fi frequency in Mhz (device must first be in monitor mode with the interface up)

sudo iw dev {{wlp}} set freq {{freq_in_mhz}}

Show all known station info

iw dev {{wlp}} station dump

Context

tldr-pages: linux/iw dev

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