Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence.

Apple Intelligence has also begun language expansion with localized English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. Learn more >

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPad OS update says This update requires a WiFi Connection.

16.5.1 download option is grayed out and says “this update requires a Wi-Fi connection to download.” I have gig internet and everything else is working fine (and I’m using the same iPad to submit this.)

iPad Air (5th generation)

Posted on Jul 20, 2023 7:45 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 21, 2023 2:49 AM

The Rapid Security Response (RSR) Update is delivered as an OTA update. The update is dowloaded and installed via WiFi. The RSR cannot be installed using a Windows PC or Mac computer. 

About Rapid Security Responses for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS - Apple Support


If you have a VPN App or profiles installed, or a security App such as Norton, these may be interfering with your iPad’s network routing. The resolution is usually simple; if installed, you may only need to temporarily disable or remove the Security App and/or VPN.


If this resolves your issue, the VPN and/or security App can be reinstated after the connectivity problem has been resolved.


If some Apps are working as expected, while others are not - or other devices can connect to your WiFi network - you may find that a restart of your WiFi Router, followed by a restart of your iPad will clear the problem….


To restart your router, disconnect power from the router for at least 30 seconds - then reconnect power to restart. After your router reboots (which may take several minutes), force restart your iPad:


Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
  3. Press and hold the top button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.



If you continue to have difficulties, check to see if your iPad is using the WiFi Private Address feature. This feature is intended to provide additional privacy and security when using “public” (untrusted) WiFi networks.

Settings > WiFi > [Your WiFi Network / SSID] - tap the “i” icon - Private Address


The Private Address feature is largely unnecessary for your home WiFi network; if enabled, Private Addressing can cause issues if specific MAC addresses are expected by your WiFi Router. You may need to disable this feature - and can be enabled or disabled for each individual network.

Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 - Apple Support


If you problem persists, you may need to reset your Network Settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 21, 2023 2:49 AM in response to Esmitty225

The Rapid Security Response (RSR) Update is delivered as an OTA update. The update is dowloaded and installed via WiFi. The RSR cannot be installed using a Windows PC or Mac computer. 

About Rapid Security Responses for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS - Apple Support


If you have a VPN App or profiles installed, or a security App such as Norton, these may be interfering with your iPad’s network routing. The resolution is usually simple; if installed, you may only need to temporarily disable or remove the Security App and/or VPN.


If this resolves your issue, the VPN and/or security App can be reinstated after the connectivity problem has been resolved.


If some Apps are working as expected, while others are not - or other devices can connect to your WiFi network - you may find that a restart of your WiFi Router, followed by a restart of your iPad will clear the problem….


To restart your router, disconnect power from the router for at least 30 seconds - then reconnect power to restart. After your router reboots (which may take several minutes), force restart your iPad:


Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
  3. Press and hold the top button.
  4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.




Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.



If you continue to have difficulties, check to see if your iPad is using the WiFi Private Address feature. This feature is intended to provide additional privacy and security when using “public” (untrusted) WiFi networks.

Settings > WiFi > [Your WiFi Network / SSID] - tap the “i” icon - Private Address


The Private Address feature is largely unnecessary for your home WiFi network; if enabled, Private Addressing can cause issues if specific MAC addresses are expected by your WiFi Router. You may need to disable this feature - and can be enabled or disabled for each individual network.

Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 - Apple Support


If you problem persists, you may need to reset your Network Settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings

Jul 21, 2023 12:16 AM in response to Esmitty225

Hi,


If you go in to settings and select Mobile Data, you will find the option for Data Mode, from there you can select different options depending on your mobile plan on allowing OS updates over Mobile Data,


This is generally off by default to safeguard large OS updates being downloaded on Data plans because most people have limited Data.

Jul 23, 2023 12:34 AM in response to Esmitty225

Enable Cellular (Mobile) Data, if applicable, even if you have no data plan

Disable WiFi Assist

Disable Cellular (Mobile) Data

Go to Software Update

if you still have the problem, then…

Disable WiFi

Enable Cellular (Mobile) Data, even if you have no data plan

Go to Software Update

If asked to download the update over cellular, cancel

Enable WiFi

Go to Software Update

Cheers,

D.

Tech Support T2 Senior Advisor


I will be submitting an FYI RTA to Site Support Engineering






iPad OS update says This update requires a WiFi Connection.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.