IOS 14.2 wifi drops when phone locked

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Level 1

8 points

IOS 14.2 wifi drops when phone locked

I have an iPhone 8 and ever since I updated to IOS 14.2, the wifi drops when the phone is idle or locked. I reset the network settings and that helped for a day, but now it’s back. I also changed privacy - location services - system services - network and wireless to off. I forgot and rejoined my home network. I also disabled the new private address functionality on the network.

The home network has been reset recently as well, and is using a recent wifi router with up to date firmware and correct settings. Other iPhones on older IOS versions in the house do not have this issue.

iPhone 8, iOS 14

Posted on Dec 17, 2020 8:38 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 20, 2020 1:20 PM in response to Cobrawl

Hi Cobrawl,

Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today with your iPhone 8 that is disconnecting from Wi-Fi when locked.

You have definitely tried some great troubleshooting here. To finish isolating the issue, would you be able to test this issue on another Wi-Fi network?

Let us know how it goes.

Have a fantastic day!

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Answer 2

Dec 20, 2020 1:56 PM in response to Cobrawl

It’s not intermittent; it will happen every time the phone locks, after about 30 seconds, unless the phone is connected to power. See my reply.

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Answer 3

Cobrawl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2020 1:50 PM in response to MichaelB2019

I have tried it on another Wi-Fi network. Same behavior. It’s intermittent, sometimes I will pull my phone out and I’m still on Wi-Fi, but more often than not I’m on LTE.

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Answer 4

Dec 20, 2020 2:03 PM in response to Cobrawl

I am describing the phenomenon that matches the subject of your post: IOS 14.2 wifi drops when phone locked

If that isn’t what you meant to say I apologize.

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Answer 5

Dec 20, 2020 1:31 PM in response to Cobrawl

Every iPhone with every version of iOS since the beginning of iPhone time in 2007 has turned off Wi-Fi 30 seconds after the phone locks. This is not something new with any specific version. It shuts off to preserve energy, as Wi-Fi uses power continuously as long as it is on and connected, and if it didn’t the battery would run down sooner than most users want. To keep Wi-Fi on when the phone is locked it needs to be connected to power, either a wall adapter, computer, or power bank.

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Answer 6

Cobrawl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2020 2:01 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

You’re describing another phenomenon. This behaviour is new since I upgraded to 14.2. It’s also intermittent, occasionally when I picked my phone up from the table, it will be on LTE. Occasionally, it will be on Wi-Fi.

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IOS 14.2 wifi drops when phone locked

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