How do I make IOS 6 keep wifi on when iPod is sleeping?

Hi, I've been very annoyed by IOS 6 disconnecting from the wifi after a few minutes in sleep mode. I need my iPod to stay connected at all times so I can receive information and get a ringer notification the moment I get anything (examples are e-mail, texts from texting apps, skype calls, etc.). I really dont like having to keep checking my iPod and reconnecting every now and then just to see if I got something. I am considering changing back to IOS 5 just to get my iPod to stay connected 24/7 but I don't want to do that unless I know that there is no hope for me in IOS 6.

iPod classic, iOS 6, iPod touch 4th generation

Posted on Sep 23, 2012 11:14 AM

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185 replies

Sep 28, 2013 4:38 AM in response to rhferg

Sorry my method did not work for u but it did for me and a lot of my pals I think it is the problem of the device as every one has a different problem in this same thread u have no idea of how much I and my friends have suffered this it worked for some if they put it on charge and for some it worked after updating but my friend ur method we tried it way before it did not work now I don't have the problem in both my I devices

Sep 28, 2013 4:39 AM in response to Allensgirl

Sorry my method did not work for u but it did for me and a lot of my pals I think it is the problem of the device as every one has a different problem in this same thread u have no idea of how much I and my friends have suffered this it worked for some if they put it on charge and for some it worked after updating but my friend ur method we tried it way before it did not work now I don't have the problem in both my I devices

Oct 1, 2013 11:56 PM in response to rhferg

Went back to my home for a few weeks, my Airport express kept all my connections alive. Came back to Tokyo, tried my SMC router, all my iDevices disconnected from wifi when asleep.


Set up my Airport Express in my Tokyo office and all my iDevices keep a permanent wifi connection, asleep or not, now I get all notifications.


I retried the old SMC router because I had installed iOS 7 on my iDevices, I thought the new OS may have cured the problem, it made no difference, they still disconnected on my SMC router.


So for me, the solution has been, buy an Apple router.


I came to this solution after going to The Apple store complaining about my wifi connection on iOS 6, only to find that it never disconnected in the Apple Store, went to a friends place, he has Apple routers, it never disconnected there either, came back to my place, disconnections on SMC router, so the SMC router was the obvious problem.


For me and like many others, these Problems started on iOS 6, and changing routers has been the only solution that has worked for me, some other routers work fine, I had an old DLink router that kept connections alive too, no matter what the iOS, but it was an old and now discontinued model, and the newer model from the same manufacturer did not keep the connection alive. 😮


I must have tried every solution on the internet, but it was proven to be a router problem in my case, some routers will keep my connection alive, and some will not.


Your Mileage May Vary.

Nov 23, 2013 4:08 PM in response to Mini-Mac

Hi mini mac,

Like Allensgirl said, Ask to join network will not solve this. It is a genuine problem, not just a matter of reading the manual. My solution, of starting an audio recording app which runs in the background even with the lid closed, works well for me. As soon as I have logged onto my wifi at work, I switch on my audio recorder app (I am sure many will do the job) and my iPad never drops the wifi connection, even in standby mode. This will probably not work for everyone, but worth trying.

Nov 24, 2013 6:05 AM in response to rhferg

rhferg wrote:


Hi mini mac,

Like Allensgirl said, Ask to join network will not solve this. It is a genuine problem, not just a matter of reading the manual. My solution, of starting an audio recording app which runs in the background even with the lid closed, works well for me. As soon as I have logged onto my wifi at work, I switch on my audio recorder app (I am sure many will do the job) and my iPad never drops the wifi connection, even in standby mode. This will probably not work for everyone, but worth trying.

I humbly disagree that Enable "Ask to Join Network" in Wi-Fi settings is not the fix you've been looking for. If it's not then your router is not maintaining the address of your device (device could be any connected Wi-Fi appliance that connects and goes into low power mode...computer, tablet, phone on and on and on).


I completely understand how long this thread is and length of time. However I have several devices (see list below) and have NOT experienced any issues at all.....unless my router experienced issues. At least once a month I have to restart my router and sometimes more often.....it all depends on the amount of downloads in any given period. For me the restart clears up any issues with speed.


1. 4th generation Time Capsule

2. 2nd generation Time Capusle connected in off(Bridge Mode).

3. iPad Wi-Fi 1st Gen

4. iPad mini Wi-Fi 1st Gen

5 iPad Air Wi-Fi/Cellular 1st Gen

8. MacBook Pro 15" Late 2009

7. MacBook Air 11" Late 2011

8. MacBook Air 13" Late 2011

9. MacBook Pro 15" Late 2012

10. 3rd genertion (2) Apple TV

11. 1st generation PS3

12. iPhone5 (2)

13. Tivo HD (2)

14. Cannon MP620 printer


Another tip if you own a Mac computer and experience Wi-Fi issues is to "Set Service Order" in System Preferences-Network to Wi-Fi first.

Nov 24, 2013 10:25 AM in response to Mini-Mac

Minimac, I admire your perseverance in the face of facts which do not fit your experience, but you just don't get it. This is not a problem which happens with domestic routers. Or if it did, you could just try a different one until you found one which worked. The problem occurs with a minority of workplace wifi routers, which have over-engineered ID verification systems designed for other devices. You do not have the option to change the router, but you need to use the wifi. Do you seriously think I have not got Ask to join network enabled? When you find a wifi system which exhibits this problem you will be entitled to advise us. Until then, well.. you see the point now, I hope.

Mar 31, 2014 8:29 AM in response to linksith

Another "me too" post. The only time this impacts me is when I'm at work, connecting to a Cisco wi-fi router. I often need a VPN connection running, which of course gets killed when the iPad goes to sleep and wi-fi drops. If it were not for the pranksters that sit near me, I'd keep my screen unlocked when I'm not at my desk. I would love to try the trick of disabling the lock screen passcode, but that disables a settings profile I allowed work to install on my iPad, not to mention problems from the previously mentioned pranksters. The only way I don't lose my VPN connection is to not let the iPad sleep, or lug my laptop to work and avoid the whole mess.


I have/had this issue on iOS 6 & 7 on iPad 3 and iPad Air.

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How do I make IOS 6 keep wifi on when iPod is sleeping?

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