I downloaded the 18.6 new iOS update on my iPads and cell phone and all three of them will not get on the Wi-Fi and connect the only way I can get on the Internet is on my cell phone now with out Wi-Fi turned on!! This is just awful. Is anyone else experiencing this?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: iOS 18.6 killed my WiFi on ALL DEVICES!
iPad Pro, iPadOS 18
I resolved mine through VPN settings as well. Verizon offers multiple VPN settings and it looks like one of them causes the iPhone to appear to disconnect from WiFi; mine probably reverted to this VPN settings after the update. My phone works with a different VPN as well as no VPN.
To fix, go to Settings>VPN. Then pick your desired VPN and ensure that it connects properly and works.
Al-Vermont wrote:
(8/28/25) Just to say that --immediately- after my ios 18.6.2 update 2-3 days ago, WiFi speeds on all Apple devices dropped 150-200mbps on what was a solid 900mbps u/d WiFi connection.
…
Hoping Apple has a fix/update soon!
So on this page of replies, we have confirmed ISP issue, a confirmed VPN-caused outage issue, and maybe this is one of those, or maybe a different issue?
If you have a VPN, remove it, restart, and test again.
Update to my previous post: Un-updated second phone was failing running 18.6.2, I opened a case with the WiFi provider, they "resolved an issue" now everything is working fine. They had not done any upgrades but may have made some network setting changes like enabling some features in this time frame.
Might be some compatibility issues with some networks? the upgrade to 18.7 must have resolved one of those issues.
cidgrad90 wrote:
Both my wife and I have the same issue. Both of us have iPhone 16 Pros. We updated over the weekend and no app will now connect through wifi. The only thing that has changed is iOS. If this is a settings issue, first, stop changing settings on an update. Second what settings should we be looking for? I have been an iPhone user since the iPhone 4, but the last few years have been a trial. I am tired if having to go through my phone to “fix” things that should have been left alone.
Simple question: Do you use a VPN on your iPhones? If you do, they cause connectivity issues, aren't needed, don't provide the security people think they do (in fact quite the opposite) and should be removed from your iPhone if you use one.
brioni wrote:
Having similar issues. I didn’t install 18.6.2 immediately and now am worried that my phone might be compromised somehow? I have Photon VPN installed on my phone, but I tried switching wifi off (which switches the VPN off) and connecting to the 5G network, but still no go. Do I have to physically take the VPN app off my phone and reinstall?
VPN does not play well on iphones, so completely uninstall it, and any ad blockers or other security apps.
None are necessary for security, but I admit VPN my be for people living in oppressive countries who try to control your data like Russia or UK.
retiredtechguy wrote:
Update to my previous post: Un-updated second phone was failing running 18.6.2, I opened a case with the WiFi provider, they "resolved an issue" now everything is working fine. They had not done any upgrades but may have made some network setting changes like enabling some features in this time frame.
Might be some compatibility issues with some networks? the upgrade to 18.7 must have resolved one of those issues.
Un- and under-maintained Wi-Fi networks and down-revision firmware and exploited firmware are all ongoing issues, yes.
Wi-Fi gear provided by ISPs is picked to optimize for low purchase prices and for low support costs, and most any other factors including features, performance, capabilities, UI design, and security are all secondary, if they’re even considered by the ISP.
That’s before we get into hardware failures, Wi-Fi interference, and router security issues.
Can a problem be due to an iOS update? Sure. Can it have other causes? Absolutely. And troubleshooting means testing the various potential causes, as assumptions can be wrong.
It surely is not iOS 18.6 because...
I conducted a thorough search of this forum using the term 'WiFi after iOS' and uncovered numerous posts detailing similar issues across various iOS updates. This suggests that iOS updates may not consistently be the root cause. Below are a handful of examples extracted from the search results:
(8/28/25) Just to say that --immediately- after my ios 18.6.2 update 2-3 days ago, WiFi speeds on all Apple devices dropped 150-200mbps on what was a solid 900mbps u/d WiFi connection.
--Wired-- ethernet internet speeds are right where they should be for my plan (FIOS) at 900-950mbps u/d, so given the timing of this issue appearing, I'm feeling it was IOS 18.6.2 that came with bugs and is affecting wifi speeds. Not my router WiFi failing since this issue coincides with date/time of the IOS update. Reboots and resets for WiFi do not fix a thing. Same reduced speeds for WiFi after rebooting everything!
Hoping Apple has a fix/update soon!
Vancouver22 wrote:
I need to add I discovered my 5 GHz signal is not as good as it should be after running the Apple Airport Utility App.
If you’re still using an AirPort or AirPort Time Capsule. I’ve seem the power output on those fade as they age, and I’ve also seen ten and fifteen second dropouts happening. I’ve replaced various AirPort-based networks. It was nice gear for its time, but it’s getting old, and the failures are increasing.
5 GHz and 6 GHz are preferable in many cases just because the signals drop off quickly with walls and other impediments to the signal, too. That allows for denser Wi-Fi installations, whether the Wi-Fi networks are coordinated or uncoordinated. And gear supporting newer Wi-Fi standards are intended to work better in denser environments.
No vpn…. I called Apple and they said they are working on it….
I deleted my VPN and still had the same problem. Since reinstalling VPN it seems ok at the moment. But I have noticed my phone will automatically switch to the 5g on occasion.
It's not always the iOS update's fault! Many things can cause phone problems. If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.
Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!
Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.
iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.
Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.
Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.
See what each update does: About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...
Both my wife and I have the same issue. Both of us have iPhone 16 Pros. We updated over the weekend and no app will now connect through wifi. The only thing that has changed is iOS. If this is a settings issue, first, stop changing settings on an update. Second what settings should we be looking for? I have been an iPhone user since the iPhone 4, but the last few years have been a trial. I am tired if having to go through my phone to “fix” things that should have been left alone.
My iphone and ipad have the same issue after iOS update to 18.6, now even 18.6.1 on iphone 16 pm
Wifi seems working fine on all other non apple devices. Issue on my iphone is the connect to the wifi router always there, just no internet.
at first i thought it was my router/extenders, i do some power cycle on them. Issue keeps consistently occur.
when the issue occur, i dont try to fix it with my apple devices, i try to test the connections on other non apple devices, they are all working fine.
I need to add I discovered my 5 GHz signal is not as good as it should be after running the Apple Airport Utility App.
BrantaUK took a look at my results. Getting the ISP out today to switch cable boxes and I need him to check on it.
Do you by chance use a VPN on any of these devices?
Wi-Fi not working after iOS 18.6 update on iPhone and iPad
