Q: iPhone 5 wifi issues

Frank, its disheartening to read that you're still having issues after the verizon update. I went to the apple store today and they ran diagnostics which came up good as well as running speed tests on their open network which was blazing fast. But here's the catch, when I told them I have encryption WPA-WPA2 PSK + TKIP, and the issues exist on MY network they said they couldnt or wouldnt (i dont know) run speed tests on their closed network. Then their wuss of a manager tells me he cannot offer a replacement because they cannot "replicate" the issue themselves... Darn right they can't! Because they wont allow testing on an unencrypted network!!! BS.

So i called apple and had a senior ios advisor set up an appt at the store with his notes and recommendations for an hardware replacement. I will go and search out the store leader and also bith about the manager not doing fully his job. I have tried all of the DIY listed on here and the other thread with the exception of freezing and smashing my phone.

Bottom line: nobody should have to work this hard to make something that is purported to work, well, WORK! And not educating your employees to this ongoing problem is not the type of service one would expect from apple.

Like many others have pointed out, I am amazed that there is no formal word out about it yet and the news agencies are also not bringing this out.

I bought mine from Verizon and have sent it back. I had the same intermittent wifi even after the Verizon update. I believe the verizon update was only to make sure that the data plan is not being charged when using wifi. I have to wait 3 more weeks for the new one!

I am a first time Apple user and this is not what I was expecting from Apple.

@hencho1 I hear you. I too have WPA-WPA2 PSK + TKIP and maybe this is the problem. My office wifi does not have this and it worked fine there. Ma'an if only they acknowledge that they can fix the problem. I am a network software programmer for a top networking vendor and I could not get it to work after trying all the workarounds mentioned online and trying a bunch of my own workarounds.

Cesar,

I'm not here to protect or speak for Apple.... but I will say that Apple has to be aware of the problem based on how many phones they are replacing.  If you setup an appointment with the Genius Bar, I'm sure they would aim to please and replace your iphone if in fact there is a problem.

You also have the option or did have the option to return it if you were unhappy with your purchase. If you read the postings here, you will see that I suffer from problems too and I go tomorrow to replace my iphone which has been put on hold after I went to the store in person and explained myself and my problem. There was no questioning or any having to convince the rep of my issues. I think attitude and how you present yourself makes a big difference and that is with anyone you do business with.

Now, keep in mind that IOS6 is Apple's responsibility and just like with Windows or Macs or any software, there are bugs found that require updates and those will come. How many times have I had to make Windows Updates on my PC... I can't count the times. It is normal, and it will be addressed.

As for the phone being a scam...... Either Apple is one **** of a scammer to sell Millions and Millions of phones to the SAME people each or every other year or they are just flat out a fantastic company to purchase products from. Now another area to address is.... Hardware.... Apple is having other companies build these phones and components. There is such thing as factory faults and something along the line robotically or humanly make a mistake which end up costing APPLE money by having to replace units that are defective instead of using that unit for sale to a regular customer.  I"m sure Apple would rather sell the iphone I'm getting tomorrow that is replacing my defective iphone instead.

So, I don't think it is ALL Apple's fault.  There could be more to this problem and there for they should be allowed to correct their problems or defects. If they are being nice enough to replace my unit and from what I've heard on here people replacing 2 and 3 iphones until the customer gets one working right.... Thats 3 or 4 phones that they could have sold and the DEMAND is still there.  Apple will make it right, just be patient or return it and wait until the issue is resolved.

I also stopped to think..... there are currently over 1500 replies on this posting alone and I've seen a few others with additional complaints..... Set a realistic number..... of 5 Million units sold just in the first weekend.... what exact percentage of the 5 million are considered defective (hardware related) ?  The percentage I'm sure is low... unfortunately... you and me are one of those people as well as many others here on this forum, but the problem may not be as big or abroad for the media to consider this an issue. Heck.... Consumer Reports actually recommended this iPhone for a change compared to the iPhone 4 LOL. I can't believe they got a blessing on it for a change !!!

And Last........  I completely and I think many others agree....  PLEASE DO if you have the resources to put this issue in the newspaper and any other place including the TV MEDIA.... by all means please do so..... that will draw a lot of attention and we all kindly appreciate you spending the time, effort and money to do it.  Maybe it will speed the process like the attention that the IOS Maps got or the AntennaGate on the iPhone 4.  Again... PLEASE DO.... But I have had 3 iPhones, and 2 iPads first generation, an iPad 2, an iPad 3 and I have had nothing but a great experience with Apple. I have trust in the company that they will make it right.

Sadly my genius appointment didn't go so well.  He admitted straight up they are aware of the problem but that a fix is forthcoming as this is isolated to iOS 6.  I explained the history of others having replacements and no issues, showed my history of speed testing, but he said they are not replacing devices.  I was not in a mood to deal with this or argue so have moved on for now and will re-address in a day or so when I feel like pressing the issue.  Although I will admit I'm still torn whether this is solely a hardware issue or a mix as others have mentioned.

That's interesting BRNCOFAN7.  You may want to try a different store if available or re-try a different Genius Bar rep.  If you get the same answer, it could be that the problem has been isolated to a software issue or possible your problem in specific could be software related.

Apple advised me that they did have sufficient iPhones for trouble shooting. If problem is isolated, then maybe Apple is forwarding the news to all stores and they may no longer replace devices for that particular issue.

I think if we start seeing more and more people being denied a replacement in leu of being a software issue, then an update will follow soon and time will tell.  But as I said before and will say again... I think people are experiencing different issues in which some may be software related like I'm experiencing with my iPad 3 when I updated to IOS6 and then issues that i'm having with my iPhone 5 that my iPad is defintely not reflecting and appears to be on the hardware side.

I'm sure if non-replacements begin to take effect, people will post it on here. But I would retry a different store or rep.

9to5mac.com has kindly posted this issue along with a few other issues. I emailed them my experience with a link to this discussion.  Maybe other media outlets will follow and get a little more attention.

I'm very confident that Apple is aware based on my experience when I met with the Genius Bar.  Their Apple engineers are aware from what I was told. I know Apple will make it right.

I'll update when I pickup my replacement tomorrow.

I'm having the same issue here.  Bought 3 iPhone 5's (pre-ordered on launch day and received on 9-27) and 2 of the 3 are working fine.  However, one of them (32gb) works on unsecured networks, but not on my home network.  I have also tried many of the work arounds mentioned in this thread without any success. 

Something interesting I have noticed, but have not seen in other postings, is the IP addresses of my connected devices:

iPhone #1 (16gb, working wifi--->IP address of 192.168.0.12)

iPhone #2 (32gb, working wifi--->IP address of 192.168.0.10)

iPhone #3 (32gb, NOT working wifi--->IP address of 169.254.11.59)

iPad 2      (working wifi--->IP address of 192.168.0.6)

Toshiba laptop (working wifi--->IP address of 192.168.0.4)

All of these are connected to my Netgear DGN3500 (combination DSL modem/router) with IP gateway of 192.168.0.1

I have tried to set up the connection manually on iPhone #3, and each time I put in a similar address to the others (i.e., 192.168.0.14), it simply reverts back to the 169.254.11.59 address.

Has anyone else seen this issue?  Also, this same phone seems to be losing 3G signal (goes to the "circle" icon) quite frequently.  It will, however, connect to non-secure networks.  I am very hesitant to change anything in my router, as everything else (4 other devices) are working completely fine.  I'm also hesitant to visit my nearest Apple store, which is nearly an hour away.

Any ideas?

EDIT: Forgot to mention that this phone DOES recognize my home network, but cannot connect to it.

Message was edited by: jdr1234

Good to know that Apple is aware and dealing with it.

I'm still mixed whether it's hardware or software related. On the one hand, it being a new wifi chip with combined antenna in a thinner package makes me worry about a worse wifi performance than the iPhone 4. And on the other hand, I'm just hoping a software update can mitigate some of this as it is indeed a shame for the best smartphone out there to have this issue making it unusable in peoples homes unless they fiddle with routers and so on like a networking pro...

JDR.... can you provide your first 4 digits of your WIFI MAC Address.... You can find this by going to SETTINGS, GENERAL, ABOUT and scroll down to WIFI Address.  The first four numbers is what I'm looking for, to compare with others here and myself.

Mine is 98:B8  which is not working properly for me.

Also the link for the 9to5mac article is posted below.  Many thanks to them, maybe it will get some better attention to this issue. Their voice will be heard better than ours in my opinion. They have also included some other issues which I was unaware were being reported as a problem and I will have to ensure that I check those out when I pickup my replacement.

9to5mac Article...

http://9to5mac.com/2012/10/09/six-iphone-5-gripes-from-apple-support-datetime-is sues-lightning-charging-wifi-reception-voice-quality-and-battery-life/?utm_sourc e=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+9To5Mac-MacAllDay+%289+to+5+Ma c+-+Apple+Intelligence%29

Has anyone had any luck with doing a complete wipe/restore to resolve this problem as mentioned in the 9to5mac article?  I don't recall any mentioning that in this thread, then again I'm not sure I've read every post in the 100+ pages.

My iPhone 5 32gb black Wi-Fi Address is 54:26 and not working properly as above.

Yes, forgot to mention the first 4 digits of my WIFI MAC Address:

iPhone #1 (16gb, working wifi---> 54:26)

iPhone #2 (32gb, working wifi---> 98:B8)

iPhone #3 (32gb, NOT working wifi---> 98:B8)

Also, just read the above article.  Very interesting.

iPhone #3 has consumed almost 1 gb of data in the first 7 days of the new billing cycle (out of a shared 6 gb plan on Verizon).  The other 2 phones have only used .3 gb since we are able to use mostly Wifi. 

Hoping an update comes out really soon.

BRNCOFAN7......  I provided them with 2 links to wifi issues for the Apple Discussion Community... here is the other link, it may have came from there.....

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4339516?start=0&tstart=0

And for information.... wiping and restoring did not solve it for me. I had already tried that... but again.. not everyone is having the same issues and is worth giving anything a try to fix the problem. Best of luck

JDR.... Now that's interesting.... that you have 2 starting with 98:B8 and one of them is working and not the other.  I don't think I've seen anyone say that their 98:B8 WIFI Address was working properly. Hmmmm. Anyone else having luck with iPhone 5s with this particular Wifi address ???

     I am too having troubles with my Iphone 5, Sprint, 32gb Black, 54:26. I've had the phone since the 25th I think it was. Until about 4 days ago the phone was working fine on all types of networks; WEP,non secured, etc. Now it won't connect to any type of wifi. The connections come up in the wifi menu, but give the "unable to connect to network" error every single time. I've tried resetting settings, on-off different settings, restoring, hard reset, etc. Nothing seems to work. Not sure why it would just suddenly stop connecting out of nowhere. Not sure to wait or to go and try to get replacement .