Password Sharing

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Level 1

5 points

Password Sharing

Hello!

I was recently checking my home Wi-Fi router settings and noticed an unknow device connected to it - definitely not something of mine. I changed the password and then went about amending passwords on my devices.

When i went to change the password on my iPhone, a pop up came up asking me if I wanted to share my password with "XXXXX" - the name of the afore mentioned unknow device. What is this password sharing? As i said, i have no idea what this other device is (despite changing the password, it still instantly shows up connected to my router).

Thanks in advance.

iPad mini, iOS 10

Posted on Jan 12, 2023 3:32 AM

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Answer 1

LotusPilot

Level 10

302,294 points

Jan 12, 2023 3:42 AM in response to NeilgGlos

iOS/iPadOS will offer an opportunity to securely “share” a WiFi network password with a device that is attempting to join the WiFi network. This is only offered for Apple devices that

a) belong to an individual that has an entry in your Contacts list.

b) is within 30’ (i.e., the maximum range of Bluetooth) of the device that you are currently using.

If you accept the invitation to share the password, the WiFi network password is securely shared with the joining Apple device. If you decline, the device will not receive the password - and will fail to join the WiFi network.

So - the joining device is an Apple device - is close - and belongs to someone listed in your Contacts.

More information can be found here:

How to share your Wi-Fi password from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

LotusPilot

Level 10

302,294 points

Jan 12, 2023 4:36 AM in response to NeilgGlos

You can decline to share by closing the associated window:

There doesn’t appear to be an explicit setting that disables the password sharing feature. So, by looking at the requirements for the feature to be available, you just need to remove one element:

Sign-out from iCloud (likely impractical)
Turn-off WiFi (likely impractical)
Turn-off Bluetooth (viable, but has implications for other services, such as AirDrop)
Identify and remove the Contact
Locate the device that is seeking to connect with your network

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Answer 3

NeilgGlos Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 12, 2023 3:49 AM in response to LotusPilot

Hi, thank you for your reply.

It doesn't give me an option to reject as such, it's either accept or close the pop up (I'm assuming closing rejects).

I genuinely can't think who the contact could be, i don't have any neighbours in my contacts, is there a way to disable?

Thanks

Neil

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Answer 4

NeilgGlos Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 12, 2023 4:41 AM in response to LotusPilot

Hi

Thanks again.

Most of my contacts aren't synced via iCloud, I could easily move them to sync with my email account, leaving iCloud on to sync other aspects across my two devices (assuming the issue only applies to iCloud contacts(?).

Thanks

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Answer 5

NeilgGlos Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 12, 2023 4:18 AM in response to NeilgGlos

Just to add, i assume the contacts would be those synced in iCloud as opposed to my email?

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