Q: iPad Air WiFi (5GHz) issues after iOS 8 upgrade

I have the same problem on my mini retina. I had blamed the problem on my router, which like others here is a BT Homehub 5, but it's interesting to see others blaming it on iOS 8. The fact that this one router is being singled out is telling I think, and leads me to suspect that the fault less there, and not with iOS 8. Perhaps iOS 8 handles Wi-Fi in a slightly different way and the router is incapable of sustaining the connection because of that. My default position with network problems is to blame BT, as their service is so comprehensively terrible in all areas it's usually a safe bet.

I have other 5ghz devices too- an iPhone 6, an iPad 3, and a Samsung Smart TV. They all have three occasional problems with 5ghz but to nowhere near the level of my iPad mini retina, which usually stops receiving days after a minute or two. As with others here,2.4ghz is much, much more stable, but also really slow, and still prone to dramatic slow downs. At best I get 20mbit on 2.4ghz, while my PC on 2.4ghz will get 40mbit. On 5ghz my iPad will get 60mbit, it's just too bad that only lasts for a few minutes.

I Have the same problem with a Netgear Router with up to date firmware. Everything worked fine until I installed  IOS 8 on my iPad Air. Everything still works fine with my other devices that include an iPhone 6.

Am having exactly the same problem with my IPad Air and have also had to force it to connect using 2.4 ghz as 5 ghz doesn't work at all. Even then the Internet connection is way slower than before. I had no problems at all with IPad Air and IOS 7.2. This is shockingly bad service from Apple - IOS 8 clearly wasn't ready for release. Hope they can fix this issue in 8.03 asap.

As described in my original test observations, the issue with 5GHz network connectivity being trashed by the IOS8/8.0.2 "upgrade", applies to all 5GHz networks.  Tests have been conducted with domestic routers and business networks.

For many, wifi connections will be limited to to their home broadband router - and is therefore an easy target for Apple to blame.  To be fair,  to a certain extent, many users may not be capable of setting-up their routers correctly - but a greater proportion will be capable of setting-up correctly.

Same issue here on iPad Air.

iOS 8.0 / 8.0.1 / 8.0.2 has rendered my iPad virtually useless. Please fix Apple, fast.

Like other users on this discussion topic I have spent a great deal of time try one to resolve the iPad Air wifi issue this weekend and am now certain that this is an Apple software issue. In frustration I sent an email to Tim Cook asking him to get the issue resolved. I suggest that more emails from others to him may help speed up the resolution of this problem.

<Edited by Host>

... Continued from above.

Let's not lose sight of the simple fact that IOS7.x devices that have not been upgraded, other Apple devices (e.g., AppleTV etc.) and all equipment from other vendors still operate perfectly normally with the same routers that Apple agents have suggested are at fault (remember also that this is issue not limited to HomeHub routers). 

If only IOS8 devices have issues connecting to 5GHz networks after their upgrade, by simple elimination, it is obvious that the issue is with the updated IOS.  test evidence clearly demonstrates that iPad IOS8 network connectivity is fundamentally broken with 5GHz networks.

EEmailed Tim Cook with the following...

"

Hi,

There is clearly a very big issue with 5ghz wifi networks and ios8. I'm sure Apple know this, but I can understand that you cannot admit it officially for legal reasons.

So, why don't you is the right thing for your valuable customers, put a big notice on your website, train up you Genius Bar people immediately, to advise to only use 2.4ghz until Apple release its fix. This will help thousands of people around the world to not continue to waste their valuable hours trying to work out what's wrong. It is the right thing to do...

Thanks

Don

Sent from my iPad (on 2.4ghz only as using IOS 8)."

I am have the same issue with my iPad air.. I've try restore my ipad several time and reset my network as well but no luck.. My ipad air is totally useless right now. I am out of ideas and hope Apple comes up with a solution soon!u

I am also having the issue with WIFI dropping or gradually degradation as it is used.  I'm on an iPad Air.   Working perfectly fine before the update to 8.0.X.

I'm having the same issue with 5ghz Wifi on iPad Air.  I have an Asus AC68U.

Same here....5 ghz not working - can see it listed and can sign in but then nothing...seems to hang up searching for connection... 2.4 Ghz works as backup...but how can Apple throw this update out there with such major issues? Losing my Apple goodwill really fast! Suddenly Android is catching my eye....my Android phone picks up 5 ghz with no problem...so annoying....lost half my download speed...

I have been conversing with a Senior Tech advisor for the last week about the problem.  He called again last night and told me that they are well aware of the problem and working on a fix.  He could not tell me when it would be released but to watch for n update and that would be it. So, I guess we all set and wait for them to figure it out and fix it.

glad to hear that apple are addressing this, I went into an Apple store for an appointment with a "genius" last night and he was useless - didn't understand anything about routers or dual frequency. My workaround for this is to disable the 5GHz frequency on my homehub until Apple sort this out

Same issue here, WLAN connection is interrupted on iPad Air with iOS 8.0.2 very frequently :-(

I hope Apple will address this issue soon!