Preferred networks or profiles refer to Wi-Fi networks that you have been explicitly predefined or been learned and stored by WLAN capable devices. A preferred network definition consists of the SSID, security type, whether it is a hidden or non-hidden network, and the priority of the network.

These networks are defined in the WLAN supplicant configuration file and can be automatically connected once discovered during scanning. The device or application intending to invoke a connection initiates a scan phase and connect to one of the preferred networks that is discovered, assuming correct credentials have been saved. The decision on when and if to start a scan phase varies between operating systems and applications that manage Wi-Fi connections. Typically, once Wi-Fi is enabled on the device, and one or more profiles are defined in the supplicant, the scanning starts.

After getting a scan result, the device checks one or more of the networks that are suitable and compares them to the profiles that were stored. When a match to one of the stored profiles is found, the device initiates a connection to the network. The network is considered to be suitable for connection if it has the same network name and security type. However, in the case of a network with security, the connection process only succeeds if all the credentials are correct. If the profile's security type matched but the security key is wrong, the connection process will start, but a complete connection will fail.

After the scan cycle, if there is more than one match with the stored profiles’ list, the device or application managing the connection process selected the Wi-Fi network based on priority, security type, and RSSI.