Wifi instability on mesh networks iOS 18.3.1

Hi all,

I have a small business that uses a service called AudioFetch. For those that aren’t familiar, AudioFetch takes an audio source and streams it via an app to a device on a local network, which is basically what a lot of gyms use when you can use your phone to listen to the TV’s as you run on the treadmill. I use a mesh network to provide WiFi to guests to access this service. My access points are nothing high end, just TP link Deco’s. Quite frankly, I do not need anything over the top.

I put this system in new (access points and AudioFetch) back in Fall of 2024, and it worked wonderfully, never had a problem for around 5 months. Coverage was great, audio streamed perfectly, and guests complimented it. But recently with the release of iOS 18.3.1, that changed.

Some guests started complaining of choppy audio. This past Thursday, I updated my iOS on my own personal phone. Now that I am on iOS 18.3.1, I too am having this issue, when prior to this my phone worked great on the system. I am noticing that the guests having issues all have the new iOS.

I reached out to AudioFetch tonight and am awaiting a reply but to be honest, I do not feel this is an AudioFetch issue. I did some trouble shooting and watched my phone on the mesh network’s interface and it appears that my phone is having a hard time with roaming on the mesh. It seems to be jumping around quite a bit and far too much when there is no need to. It also seems to simply have a problem maintaining a stable wifi connection since the update.

You would think this sounds like an issue of the mesh network since it handles the pass off’s more than the client, however through some research online I am seeing that many people with mesh networks in their homes are experiencing these same types of issues since the update. And it seems strange that only iPhones running this software seem to be affected.

My mesh network is using the most recent firmware which went in almost two months ago with no issues. I have tried disabling the randomized MAC on my phone, I can’t seem to put my finger on this. I’m also going to reach out to the TP link community to see what the thoughts are there. Seeing others online with the same problem made me feel better that it’s not just me, but by the same token I dread software issues where the fix is out of my hands.

I’m curious, does anyone have any idea what is going on and what would be causing this? Any WiFi issues with this update?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jay