iPhone 5 wifi issues

cmweber, there is no WPA2 over TKIP, only WPA over TKIP and, in any case, WPA over TKIP encryption has been cracked (using an app that runs on a stock PC's GPU chip --I'm sure "Life Hacker" has some kind of article on how to). You'll want to use only WPA2 with AES wherever possible. Also, this issue manifests itself when the iPhone's WiFi PHY circuit is kept powered up for a sustained period of time (which generates heat) --that's why web surfing to sites like this (that transfer only short bursts of data) wont trigger the problem but enabling WPA2+AES encryption and transfering large files (like app downloads, videos and speed tests) will. The normal speed of the WiFi link also is a factor --for example, if you have a 100Mbps link (i don't know, maybe a FiOS circuit or you live in one of the fancy areas rebuilt with our American cash after WWII) or perhaps a 30Mbps link (inside an Apple Store), then transfering a large binary will only keep the PHY powered-up for a short period of time, but transfer that same file on a typical California DSL circuit (5Mbps on a good day) and the PHY will be burning energy like crazy and the problem is more likely to manifest.

Wow - the problem is baffling. Look at these test results:

2 iphone 5's both with slow wifi.

2 home wifi AP's, both Cisco, diff models, same settings. (WPA personal, AES, mixed mode, wide band, 2.4 Ghz.

Both phones are slow on AP1 which has a VPN built on the AP to the US (I live in Singapore), but other devices (such as iphone 4) go really fast through AP 1.

AP2 has no VPN and is straight out to the Internet. All devices, including both iphone 5's go fast through AP2.

If I setup a PPTP or L2TP VPN on my idevices directly, while going through AP2, both iPhone 5's are super slow again, and the Iphone 4 and any other device goes really fast.

The commonality here is encryption. I can't make sense of why the iPhone 5's go slow through AP1 with the VPN tunnel on the AP, since the iPhone 5 shouldn't even know about that tunnel. But its REALLY odd, that when I build the VPN on Iphone 5 the connection crawls. Its not the VPN b/c it works great on iphone 4. Aple really f'd this up.

****POSSIBLE TEMPORARY FIX, for those with slow speeds who tried all the other stuff. I doubt it would work for the connection issue.

I never had the issue with connecting to my wifi. Just that it would loose wifi at a lot shorter of a range then my other

devices. And painfully slow wifi(lowest I got was .38 Mbps down and .5 Mbps up, *****!). Idk why I tried this(so weird), but I just deleted all the emails I had hooked up on the phone. And reset network settings and "renewed lease" on my wifi once I reconnected. Idk if all that's necessary, I'm just explaining step by step what I did. And I am now getting download speeds consistently between 20-28 Mbps down and 2.0-2.8 Mbps up in my room(relatively close to the router, but I was having issues prior). Done a bunch of speed tests and it seems to be holding up. And the areas in my house i was loosing wifi and it was even slower, are now much better. Probably could still be a little better, but they're better none the less. But maybe some other people might wanna try this. If it doesn't work, it's easy enough to add the emails back. Also I wouldnt say this is a permanent fix, because I want my emails on my phone. But helps out while waiting on Apple to get this fixed, as for me atleast it seems to be a software glitch or something. Hope it works! ;)

*note- I tried every other thing suggested on here or anywhere else. Besides changing router settings, because you shouldn't have to do that. This is the only thing that worked for me so far.

WHOA....J-figz....all I did was reset network settings...that's ALL. And it DID work....but only for a little bit. Now I'm back down to my crappy speed tests. this just kind of proves that it's all software though right??

hmmmm mine seems to be going fast on and off now...definitely better than it was. It's not consistent at all, but I'm finally reaching 20 mbps here and there...wasn't getting over 1 before the network reset. Thanks for the heads up

Just turn off cellular data (Settings > Cellular).

I cannot understand why having iPhone or any other smartphone without cell data. You cannot count on wifi only, especially for business needs.

Regards,

Longman

The same issue at my iphone 5!!!

3G has no problems... but in a good wifi network i have a download rate of only 0,25 MBits/s, sometimes breaks the data flow completely.

I hope its only a software problem and can fix by an update SOON!!

I am having the very same issue. I am very disappointed in Apple.remember the antenna screw up. I gave them a pass on that one but I told Apple today if not resolved in 30 days I will drag them into court here on Maui to explain themselves. It's a connectivity issue with me . All my other apple toys, iPad iPhone 4, work fine . It's a systemic iPhone 5 problem

I think they rushed the release. It is quite obvious that they were short on manufactured devices out the gate. Plus new chips AND new software and New A6 chip AND NEW WIFI.

The renew lease trick seems to work for a while. Unfortunately I ran into another crappy speedtest but I renewed again and speed was up again.

I believe they either just trusted the chip manufacturer or failed to test the wifi fully.

The only last caveatis it seems from what I saw on most postings that most affected users are using the black model. The only physical difference I noticed is a prominent black circle to the left of the top speaker on the white model. I am told it is present on the black model it is just hard to see.

I know shareholders may be upset if there is a big problem but Ibelieve Apple needs to address this and FAST.

Oh, and I noticed on iTunes that it recognizes my device as an iPhone 4***S under the account manager that lists authorized devices. Another rush thru the gate that iTunes can't recognize the proper device ID???

No, the wifi definitately needs to be addressed hopefully via software update. You can't change all the worlds wifi service to patch the iPhone. The iPhone needs to be compatible with the world (sorry Apple 😉)

And, even though other devices (iPad/IpHone 4, etc) are fine on IOS 6, they don't use the same hardware so there may be some program coding differences for the new chips ..... at least, i pray. One example was shown in a thread where they had use wifi AND cellular data on the beta software. Otherwise, they need a recall if it is hardware.

The hackers have already broken into the phone and code ... maybe they can show Apple how to fix this 😀

See what tomorrow brings {yawn}

@Ace- Awesome! Surprised it worked for more then just me it's so weird. I just added my accounts back nd I'm still getting fast speeds. So that's pretty sweet! We'll see if it stays consistant. Still doesn't seem to be as fast as it should be, buts its 10x better then it was for me.

Spoke too soon I think. After I added the emails back, I started getting back and forth speeds after a little bit. Dropped below 10 Mbps down, 3 or 4 times, which didn't come close to happening when the accounts were deleted. Deleted them again, and it's back to consistant fast speeds. Hit almost 34 Mbps down, for the first time.

Hello, I found a way to (temporaly) fix this issue with my iPhone 5 32GB. I combined to different ideas I've read in different forums.

1. Reset yout Network settings

2. Add your WiFi by typing manualy the SSID and choosing yourself the prefered Enryption (WPA2 only - no Enterprise)

I tested this now with skobble GPS Nav and downloaded 2 GB of Maps. Over the weekend I was not able to download the Maps because every 2 Minutes the iPhone lost the signal or the speed was terrible. Now the iPhone is on same point on my table and I was able to download with fullspeed.

I don't know if it will hold for long, by maybe you will try this idea.

I did also noticed this... my wife's iphone 4s had full WiFi connectivity my iphone5 which was next to it could not find the signal.

Signal was bouncing on and off.... I really hope Apple comes with a fix ASAP.

this eats my Data volumes when I could be using my WiFi high speed!.

thanks

I had the same problem as everyone else but also had a weird problem that when I took any photos it wouldn't save them.

Turns out I think a dodgy iCloud backup was the problem, or maybe the iCloud backup didn't download correctly.

Used an iTunes backup and the phone is working fine now. Photos & Wifi signal all fine.... Strange.

I assume folks would have done this check but just incase, has anyone looked at the IP address in the WiFi network settings (Settings>WiFi> and then selct the right arrow on your network). If it starts with 169 then it is a problem with the router.

I had exactly the same problem with my iPhone 4 - could catch the WiFi but not download any data through it although my MacBook Air and iPad worked just fine. Resetting the device as new etc did not help and it was only when I saw the IP address that I did a router reset and things have been fine since.

Doesn't explain whyt it happened in the first place (Apple supects it could be a faulty antenna) but atleast the problem has been resolved for now.