iPhone5 issues with WPA2/AES Wifi

I just checked with Apple Support.

There are 2 internal documents on this specific issue and they both talk about antenna issues. But nothing has been released to the public or posted on the site.

Thanks, Eric.

I just got off the phone with a very nice Applecare representative and he promised to speak to the engineering department and will get back to me in a few days, before arranging a replacement. His rationale is that he wants to make sure the replacement will not have the same problem as my current iPhone.

fingers crossed!

I have the dreaded 98:B8 chip set. Should I just get on the phone with AppleCare tomorrow and get the exchange process started?

@clickmeas THANK YOU!

Glad I've been reading updates to these 2 threads for the past few days and caught your response regarding firmware versions and your router. I have the same router and can report the same results:

Netgear WGT624v3 ,Firmware 2.0.26_1.01------- IPHONE 5 WIFI DOESN'T WORK

Netgear WGT624v3 ,Firmware 2.0.21_1.01--------IPHONE 5 WIFI DOES WORK. !!!

I know this is a workaround, but the fact that there is a router software solution to my problem would sure seem to indicate to me the possibility that a software fix (to iPhone5 WiFi internal) might solve it as well.

Hallelujah 😀 for the workaround for now.

mccosha wrote:

I am on the phone with Support.

The dude is so condescending, I just feel like growling at him. Seriously.

After trying to convince me my router was the problem (sigh) I asked if it was possible that EVERYONE on the forum here had the same router I have, with the same settings and old firmware...

He said he avoids coming to the forum, because people tend to overstate things.(????)

He also said that my replacement should be here in TEN days - because they are not sending me a "serviced unit", but a brand new unit and used the following analogy: "it's like if you had bought a car and were trying to do something with it and couldn't, instead of taking it to the shop and fixing it, we are giving you a brand new car, off the lot" and that it's normally done only to appease costumers who are upset or had their units replaced several times with "serviced units" and were still having problems.

WHAAAAT?

When I told him that if I had ordered a car and it had arrived with 3 wheels only, THAT would be the least I would expect to get, he said it was a bad analogy.

No kiddin'.

Maybe I sound this idiot.

What? Apple support arrogant and condscending? I can't believe it! ;-) Keep on pushin'! It's bull, we have a reliably reproducible problem.

mccosha wrote:

I just checked with Apple Support.

There are 2 internal documents on this specific issue and they both talk about antenna issues. But nothing has been released to the public or posted on the site.

I wouldn't expect it to be released to the public, but this is disheartening. Either ronaldo was given mis-information or you got some dirtbag rep. Are you sure s/he looked for something specific to AES encryption?

kobyh15 wrote:

I have the dreaded 98:B8 chip set. Should I just get on the phone with AppleCare tomorrow and get the exchange process started?

I wouldn't get too hung up on the chipset. Most of the Apple chipsets are OK, and it would appear all of the Intel chipsets are OK. (but that's a big leap guesstimation, not a fact.) Can you reliably reproduce a lack of internet connection shortly after you connect to an AES encrypted wireless access point? If so, know you have a real, hardware issue and Apple needs to replace the unit.

That's not the case for the most part. I can connect but my speeds are consistently half of what they should be. I'm having erratic cellular behavior too. Maybe software fixes could help? I'd rather not exchange if I don't have to.

mobg888 wrote:

Thanks, Eric.

I just got off the phone with a very nice Applecare representative and he promised to speak to the engineering department and will get back to me in a few days, before arranging a replacement. His rationale is that he wants to make sure the replacement will not have the same problem as my current iPhone.

fingers crossed!

I appreciate it, but real thanks should go to C4RLOCO who methodically troubleshot, isolated the AES encryption issue from all the other wifi issues, and gave us our own forum. He got a working replacement so it's understandable if we don't hear from him again. If ronaldo's info is right, it will still take a while for the new info to propagate thru this huge company, and there will still be lazy, incompetent reps who don't know how to use the info available.

My replacement phone was on its way from ZhenZhou when UPS updated me with a text. The plane was cancelled at the last second (weather is 84 deg and sunny).

I think Apple read this forum and stopped the plane to double-check all the phones worked with Wifi.

kobyh15 wrote:

That's not the case for the most part. I can connect but my speeds are consistently half of what they should be. I'm having erratic cellular behavior too. Maybe software fixes could help? I'd rather not exchange if I don't have to.

That problem is pretty common too, on the other "iPhone 5 wifi issues" thread. It still could be hardware, as another poster has said Apple have identified antenna issues. Doesn't sound like the AES encryption bug, That one is pretty cut and dried. Internet connectivity fails completely after a couple minutes on an AES encrypted network. Keep pushing.

My mantra is don't wait for "a software fix" longer than your return grace period. Return it and go back to your old iPhone, or buy something else. Apple has changed. In 2 years you can come back if they figure it out.

After my epic confrontation with my Apple tech specialist today, she said, "I think these phones left the factory too soon". I think that sums it up. Heaven help her when the iPad Mini is released next week.

OneMoreAnimal wrote:

My replacement phone was on its way from ZhenZhou when UPS updated me with a text. The plane was cancelled at the last second (weather is 84 deg and sunny).

I think Apple read this forum and stopped the plane to double-check all the phones worked with Wifi.

LOL great customer service (by UPS) to update you with a text! But Apple is not all-powerful. At times they are quite "Lazy" and/or "Evil". Keep pushing, and keep them honest!

Apple chipset: 98:FE

--No WPA2/AES even though 3 Apple devices, 1 blu-ray, 2 laptops, and a PC can connect perfect with those settings on the router that has not changed in over a year.

Apparently were screwed as the latest tonight is that WPA2/AES is NOT one of the verified problems and Apple basicallt just told me to F-off and call my router manufacturer. :-(

Apple doesn't know jack or they haven't got the memo because as of tonight I'm still being told by their senior advisor that (a)there is no problem if I turn off security and my iPhone5 can connect and (b)I cannot trust anything you guys are saying in this forum (see below). So he didn't follow my links to read any of the issues and give me feedback.

At this point I'm thinking F%$K Apple I want to return this piece of garbage iPhone5. What's the process since they are refusing to do it based on it not being broken?

Paul Roberts7 wrote:

At this point I'm thinking F%$K Apple I want to return this piece of garbage iPhone5. What's the process since they are refusing to do it based on it not being broken?

Nonsense - If you purchased it from an Apple Store, just return it:

You have 14 calendar days to return an item from the date you received it. For an Apple iPhone, you have 30 calendar days.

http://store.apple.com/us/help/returns_refundf

If you purchased it elsewhere, consult that retailer's return policies.

Thanks. I got it pre-order. I can't find any information on what happens on the AT&T contract though. I got hosed on the iPhone1 missing the rebate period for early adopters by 1 day so paid like $200 more and this time I bought on contract. Any ideas on how that works? I'd like my contract reset so I can buy another phone on contract later but I'm afrtraid there is going to be a disconnect between Apple and AT&T on this when I return.

I tried Apple just now but just more lies from them. 24 hours? NOT. I just got the recording they are closed:

Phone

For help with an order, you can call Apple Store Customer Service:

• 1-800-676-2775
• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week