I would like the option to be able to control it in one go instead of per network. Give the owner back control! As if the App Library wasn't bad enough!
How I wish that I had never updated to iOS 14!
iPhone XS Max, iOS 14
There’s tracking, and there’s tracking. Apple gives you tools to avoid having your web searches, sites you visit, purchases, etc recorded in monster databases that are available to anyone who wants to view them. If you are fine with this that’s great. I’m not. That’s why I don’t use Google search and I have enabled Limit Ad Tracking (and it’s more advanced equivalent in iOS 14). I know that my location can be tracked (approximately) by my carrier; I have no choice there, because it’s required by law. It also is quite imprecise, and, with recent agreements from carriers, that information is not publicly available, only for law enforcement and E911 services. But with Wi-Fi tracking my precise location is recorded every time I get near any Wi-Fi network, unless my phone sends false Wi-Fi IDs, which is what this feature does (when it is on, which it is by default).
How many Wi-Fi networks do you connect to that make it so burdensome to turn off private addresses for those networks? You do realize that iOS has sent bogus Wi-Fi addresses to all networks that you are NOT connected to when you are near them for the past 3 years.
In the end, I don’t think it really matters what you do. One way or another, you’ll be tracked whether you like it or not. It’s a cat & mouse game. I’m not so paranoid about it... it’s a matter of choice.
Strictly speaking, that isn't true... I control numerous modems and can see all these details every time anyone accesses the Wi-Fi, regardless of how many different MAC/Wi-Fi addresses they use, I can still see that it's the same device because the name of the device doesn't change!
Thanks for your reply Leanne_68
I already read that article prior to my posting! The Product Feedback link was helpful though...
Do you have a good reason for wanting to be tracked by every provider of every Wi-Fi network you connect to?
The new screen on the iPhone 11 and it popped up in the Something to do with the display
How is this related to a Wi-Fi problem?
If one is so worried about being tracked using the internet, then one probably shouldn't really be using it at all!
Also, it doesn't matter how many different private Wi-Fi addresses that the iPhones comes up with, the name of the device stays the same, making it a rather pointless affair.
No one sees the name of the device except you. It is not included in any Internet communications.
Hi there, wesley-nl!
Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! That’s a great question you have about turning off private Wi-Fi addresses all at once instead of per network. Please check out this article to Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7. Per the article, it will need to be turned off for each network:
"Turn private address off or on for a network
You can stop or resume using a private address with any network. For better privacy, leave the setting on for all networks that support it.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
next to a network.
"
You're welcome to use this link for Product Feedback to submit feedback directly to Apple for features you'd like to see in the future.
Have a terrific day!
In iOS 14 how do you switch off private WiFi addresses for all networks?
