After the iOS 26 update, I couldn’t skip the Wi-Fi setup screen on my iPhone

Question

Level 1

4 points

After the iOS 26 update, I couldn’t skip the Wi-Fi setup screen on my iPhone

After updating my iPhone to iOS 26, the update had already fully downloaded, verified, and installed. When I restarted, I got the usual ‘Hello’ screen in different languages. At that point, I could not proceed past the setup screen without first connecting to a Wi-Fi network. There was no option to skip, even though the device already had my Apple ID credentials and the update was complete. This requirement was unexpected, and it seems like brand-new iPhones in stores are always connected to Wi-Fi during setup so customers may never notice.

I’m just reporting exactly what happened after my update — if someone from Apple or the community can clarify why Wi-Fi is still required at this stage (when no further data should need to be downloaded), that would help.

Someone responded to my previous question on “why its needed” by saying “It doesn’t” and then i could no longer find the thread. So please leave this question on the forum for appropriate responses. i need someone to simply explain the issue or engage me as a user to understand what is happening.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: What happened after ios26? I couldn’t skip the wifi connection screen.

iPhone 16 Plus, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 1:17 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 9, 2025 2:50 AM in response to LD150

My bad I should have elaborated my problem clearly I’m talking about being “stuck” as in the screen just froze without letting me to go back or skip this step.

My issue was after selecting the WiFi network I was just stuck on this screen with a loading symbol forever (more than 15 mins).

It was strange that all I got was a black screen after the hello screen at first and only after locking and unlocking the screen a bunch of times took me to the select WiFi network screen.

Restarting my phone again fixed the issue.

Reply

Answer 2

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 20, 2025 12:11 PM in response to LD150

No. I actually had the update downloaded on the 16, it updated overnight because it didn’t need wifi (which makes sense). the issue is not being able to skip, which you may be helping me connect dots for: im usually at home where my wifi isnt a concern, so to my presumption that most users don’t even notice, if in store on familiar wifi no worries.

Reply

Answer 3

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 20, 2025 12:12 PM in response to LD150

also for clarification, i connected to another mobile hotspot since I kind of refused to pick anything public and open ( just in case this was an update related thing, which it wasn’t since my phone happily went straight to the home screen).

Reply

Answer 4

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 9, 2025 12:46 AM in response to WheelieNick

you’ve helped me narrow this down to the idea that most of the time, we are on wifi so it doesn’t matter. its something they likely never had to consider. i’m also clocking that its a seemingly unhelpful feature of the update, seemingly meant to do some extra tracking. privacy advocate here, i turn my wifi OFF when not in use. but “wifi improves location accuracy”.

Reply

Answer 5

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 9, 2025 12:51 AM in response to LD150

NO!!! that is the entire reason im here. I dont need it forcing me to use it… borderline privacy issue. I used a mobile hotspot because SHOULD NOT need wifi. i need this to be very clear and understandable for everyone else: do not connect the wifi, drive to apple and ask them why you need it. if they can’t tell you, come back to this forum and let us know. or connect to it because you fall in line with tech updates without question.

Reply

Answer 6

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 9, 2025 12:38 AM in response to LD150

what is the intended purpose? my phone was completely updated by that point. The issue isn’t needing to download the update or anything like that. If that’s clear enough then maybe you can elaborate

Reply

Answer 7

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 9, 2025 12:41 AM in response to gowdaabhishek

so I’m not the only one who noticed. I think other people are not as in tune with the process so they’re just saying “go connect to wifi” and i’m like… why? update complete, open phone.

Reply

Answer 8

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 13, 2025 12:04 AM in response to LD150

well pardon, the request to elaborate was genuine

Reply

Answer 9

Oct 27, 2025 2:14 AM in response to gowdaabhishek

I have the same problem, anyone got a solution on this please?

Reply

Answer 10

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,772 points

Oct 27, 2025 5:21 AM in response to TanzaTanza

Solution on which issue? There are two similar but different issue regarding WiFi screen after an update.

Reply

Answer 11

Nov 1, 2025 6:36 AM in response to xavierdakidd

I have the same issue. My phone forces me the the Hello screen and makes me join a wifi network after each restart on iOS 26. It sucks not to be home or near public wifi.

Reply

Answer 12

LD150

Level 10

100,191 points

Sep 20, 2025 1:24 AM in response to xavierdakidd

did you use your computer to upgrade? Sounds like it was restored to factory.

If a forced restart does not help you may need recovery mode.

If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch – Apple Support (UK)

Reply

Answer 13

LD150

Level 10

100,191 points

Oct 9, 2025 12:52 AM in response to xavierdakidd

xavierdakidd wrote:

what is the intended purpose? my phone was completely updated by that point. The issue isn’t needing to download the update or anything like that. If that’s clear enough then maybe you can elaborate

Sure, I wasn't talking to you. Was responding to gowdaabhishek.

Reply

Answer 14

LD150

Level 10

100,191 points

Oct 13, 2025 12:34 AM in response to xavierdakidd

xavierdakidd wrote:

well pardon, the request to elaborate was genuine

No problem.

The crazy default sort order of Rank instead if Oldest makes the threads impossible to navigate unless you change it in the thread or in your preferences.

Reply

Answer 15

xavierdakidd Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 1, 2025 10:44 PM in response to LD150

good news!! i may have an answer that came from a knowledgeable source and may understand why nobody wants to reply, even vaguely.

those interested: if the forum allows for contact, ill leave a comment

but the vague explanation: its a feature, not a bug, and some of my concerns were addressed in the answer. i believe the nature of the answer would be sort of TMI to explain to me from their perspective.

Reply