Q: iPhone 5 wifi issues

I've been having wifi problems as well.  However only at home - the office is solid (Cisco WPA2 enterprise).  After going through about a hundred pages of this thread, I decided to try something simple. 

I'm using an older Apple Extreme router at home and the channel is set to automatic.  I've noticed that it almost always selects channel 11.  I decided to try and change it to channel 4.  I picked 4 at random and didn't really investigate the consequences of selecting a single channel. No other changes to the network - still a hidden network, WPA2.

Since the change, my iPhone 5 keeps a solid wifi connection and finds it as soon as I arrive home. It's been solid for three days. All other devices in the home including three Macs, two iPads, iPhone 4S, Android tablet, Playstation3, etc, all continue to work fine.

I know my test is only a short duration, but since it's an easy change it may be worth others trying.

Pete

@Mountain Pete.  So what your saying is all Apple need to do is get all Starbucks, McDonalds, Universities, Cafes and every other wifi spot around the world to buy an Airport Extreme and change to channel 4 and the problem is solved. Wow, so simple, and I thought it was a problem with the iPhone5! (seriously this would be worth trying for people to get some wifi, but if you do have a hardware issue - please ensure Apple give you a new piece of working hardware) My old phone had wifi issues. My replacement iPhone5 works with all routers, with all settings, with or with out thick cases and I can now be more than 2m from the router. There are some bad batches of phones with poor wifi - please don't put up with a faulty second rate device!

I would like some confirmation that a new handset solves this issue before I begin this process of having my iPhone 5 replaced. I am surprised nothing has been commented on by Apple, at least to acknowledge that there is an issue (hardware or software).

@SamAust - lol.  Relax.

What I am sharing is my experience and what worked for me.  The problem isn't my router, isn't Starbucks or McDonalds, it's the Apple hardware or software. I never suggested otherwise. However, the more information that can be shared in threads like this about possible solutions or workarounds (no matter how simple), the better.

I understand Pete. This issue frustrated me me no end. I am aware of many work arounds, but I don't want anyone to be stuck with a faulty phone. I am am pretty sure Apple know they have a hardware issue, but they either don't know exactly what it is, or don't want to own up to it. (Possibly both)

The iPhone5 seems to have 3 major problems:

(1) Wifi issue - caused by faulty hardware

(2) Wifi issue - caused by software

(3) Battery fast drain issue - apparently software related

Others can give their opinions but from what I see.....

If you can log in to wifi, have good speed at the router but it drops off when you are a few meters away then you probably have issue (1), possibly an issue with the wifi antenae?

If you can not actually log in to wifi the it is issue (2)?

If you have (1) you need to get a replacement phone.

I am sure it is more complex than this - but from the threads above, it seems to be the common themes.

Same issues here.  Even if any of the suggested "fixes" worked for longer than 2 minutes it is insane that they need to exist in the first place.  Wifi is something that is figured out on every other device they make.  Very frustrated with this problem.  I get around 33mbps on my iPad and anything else connected to my wifi but my iphone 5 gets around 0.5 to 1.5mbps.  No excuse.

What I want to know is whos paying for all the data that im supposedly using on "wifi" when it drops off? With really low data allowances here in Australia, if I go over my limit its costing me $$$ and im positive Apple wont be refunding me thats for sure. My old iP4 worked fine on all iOS versions

That's how I feel, too. I shouldn't have to pay for these unintentional and unknown drops to LTE/3G.

But that may be why Apple aren't just coming forward and stating they messed up on an update. It would cost them a pretty penny.

Ok so after I tried everything I got a new IPhone from the apple store and now my wi-fi works perfect its looking like a hardware issue is a cause

Swooperz, as much as I wanted your solution to work, it didn't for me.  

I have gone so far as to buy a new router (using WPA2) -- to which ALL of my other devices (including my iPad 3) connect to without any issues whatsoever.  

I went through the steps you recommended (Reset Network Settings, reconnect to wifi, hard reboot), and still a no-go.   I had to stand right next to the router to get connected to wifi at all -- and after the hard reboot, it did not reconnect.

I will go to my Apple store this weekend and demand a new phone.   I understand that some who have gotten new phones still have issues... but I figure it's worth a shot.  

Frisken - Replacing your phone is not guaranteed to work. Some people have had to do it more than once, but if none of the other proposed solutions work for you (and I reject anything to do with routers as a reasonable solution), then

replacement is your only option. It is a pain in the neck, but I got a good phone on my first try and am very happy with it now.

Having the same problem this phone *****

Started happening to my iPhone 5 last couple days. I found if I shut off wifi and turn right back on voila it works but not for long unfortunately.

I did some tests. For router my iPhone5 can only 'see' in 2meters and lost sight after 3 meters, I removed my Mercury Jelly Case and instantly got 2 more bar of strength.

I think this is something related to receiver sensitivity in the iPhone5, and probably the orientation of the receiving angle. I think iPhone5 has receiving angle at the back of the phone. Because this is the only area the case had fully covered. For those users who able to 'see' wifi at very near distance, pls try remove your case. If you experience the same 2 bar more strength, then the material of the case or iPhone5 metal back could be culprit.

In this case, Apple should open the control of receiving strength to user.

New iPhone 5 owner who's been having this issue ever since getting the device last Monday. It's pretty irritating as 3G in my area is pretty poor (1mbps while Wifi gets 21mbps).