Is WI-Fi Assist network/device-specific?

[0003462]

Hello.

I don't have the Wi-Fi Assist option on my iPhone 4s; another new feature not included on the older hardware? Perhaps the thinking is Wi-Fi should always be faster on a non-4G phone?

I'm on EE in the UK, prepay.

Thanks!

 

[Hatton920]

I have it on my iPhone 6 on three contract.

And turning off 4g doesn't turn off wifi assist

 

[batting1000]

I don't believe it's supported on older devices...probably because of the WiFi hardware.

 

[chekz0414]

Unlocked iPhone 6 Plus here, I have Wi-Fi Assist~

 

[0000757]

Hello.

I don't have the Wi-Fi Assist option on my iPhone 4s; another new feature not included on the older hardware? Perhaps the thinking is Wi-Fi should always be faster on a non-4G phone?

I'm on EE in the UK, prepay.

Thanks!

I think it relies on the upgraded radio tech/wifi tech in the 5c/5s and newer (though the 5's radio might support it? and YES, the 5c and 5 DO have different radios)

My 6 on T-Mobile in the US does offer the option.

 

[hxlover904]

i would think the older hardware isn't capable of it. Not apple intentionally trying to make your phone worse.

 

[macrlz9]

I think this feature was pulled from iOS 9 GM... I don't have this option on my iPhone 6.

 

[comics addict]

I think this feature was pulled from iOS 9 GM... I don't have this option on my iPhone 6.

There must be something wrong with your iPhone 6 because I have it show up on Settings>cellular connectivity (not sure how it's called in English since I use my iPhone in Spanish) and scroll all the way down.

 

[macrlz9]

There must be something wrong with your iPhone 6 because I have it show up on Settings>cellular connectivity (not sure how it's called in English since I use my iPhone in Spanish) and scroll all the way down.

Oops, you're right! I didn't expect it to be all the way at the bottom. Thanks!

 

[comics addict]

Oops, you're right! I didn't expect it to be all the way at the bottom. Thanks!

No problem and I agree it's too hidden. Luckily it seems to be enabled by default.

 

[Yun0]

i dont see how it could be device specific, any device supported by ios 9 should have it, all it does is drop wifi connection when it thinks its too weak, in favor of using cellular for data so the user is not stuck sitting there with a minimal wifi signal until ios timesout the wifi & switch to cellular. ios already always had the wifi signal limitation, there was or still is, a jailbreak tweak to enable ios to detect & stay on all wifi signals until it is truely too weak, not just at apple's setting.

i tried it & dont really like it, my router w/ddwrt is good & handles weak connections well, sometimes with wifi assist on i see the wifi get dropped for cellular when its at 1 & sometimes 2 bars..even at a solid 1 wifi bar i get over 4mbps of solid stable low latency throughput, enough for HD content, but ios thinks thats too weak & cuts it so i run with the setting disabled.