When using my iPhone 12 Pro Max with public WiFi, why does it show a list of available connections one moment and the next they all disappear and something else comes up or it shows a connection that I have used previously and then it disappears?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 12 Pro Max Why do WiFi connections show up and disappear?
- Thread starter kat.hayes
- Start date
-
- Tags
- wifi
- Sort by reaction score
Apple_Robert
Contributor
That happens because the signal strength is different between the different options, not to mention some are password restricted. The phone is looking for the best available option. And if you have previously connected, that will get priority in the listing.
It is not a good idea to use a public Wifi connection, unless you are running a good VPN and you are secure.
It is not a good idea to use a public Wifi connection, unless you are running a good VPN and you are secure.
akash.nu
macrumors G4
THIS! is the most important advice here. Too often too many people ignore the threat or are unaware of it.
Signal strength may vary. This may cause wifi to appear/disappear. Also, use a VPN if you are connecting to public WiFi
In my case it’s NOT a signal issue. My iPhones have always done this weirdness on the Wi-Fi list. Android doesn’t. Even at home for some reason some networks take ages to just pop up on the list. View Wi-Fi list on android and it’s always there
secretk
macrumors 65816
That yes. iOS devices (I have seen it on iPhone and iPad) take more time to connect to a WIFI compared to an Android device in the same area to the same WIFI network.
Recently I also have issues with my 2018 iPP - quite often connection drops (it is shown as connected, but no internet and nothing is getting loaded) and I have to turn off and on the WIFI.
I use the public wifi in an area that I receive absolutely no cellular reception. It is wifi from my kid's school and due to Covid protocols I spend a bunch of time there daily when dropping her off and picking her up. I have no idea how secure the connection is or whoever else might be using it.
I'm just surfing the web and sending some emails. I get that this info could be intercepted, though is there any other risk?
I'm just surfing the web and sending some emails. I get that this info could be intercepted, though is there any other risk?
Apple_Robert
Contributor
Given that you are on the school's wifi, that is much better than being on some other public Wifi access point. The schools usually have excellent hardware firewall protection (Like Baracuuda) and it helps to keep the nasties away from employees and kids. Even though it Is probably very well protected, I would not conduct any banking or other personally sensitive tasks on their Wifi. Keep the the mindset that whatever you do on their Wifi is logged and some of the traffic read by the Admin, should he or she want to get nosey.