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

Perfectly agree ...

Just purchased an iPad 3 at a bargain, that was running IOS 5.1.1.  Problem was noticeable but I was able to live with. Now upgraded to IOS 6.1.3, and guess what: same issue with my iPad now

At least, Apple should continue to sign old software, since 5.1.1 worked fine (I was of course not able to save shsh blobs) - but hopefully did at the time of my 3GS

Now, my guess is that issue is more related to network than to IOS, since Galaxy Tab I've purchased to my wife seems to do the same (she did not wanted to purchase Apple because she knows I get constantly disconnected -yes, that issue caused Apple to loose one customer ;-)

My network is full Cisco, and it seems that while sleeping, an IOS 6 device does not send enough 'keepalives' to have device still authenticated to acces-point (I will give a try on how). Interestingly, this question has already been raised in Cisco support forums. If I had a Smartnet associated with my AP, it would have been much more easier ;-)

BTW, one thing I did not try is to constantly ping device (ping -t) and see what happens when device goes to sleep mode (it will probably not answer to pings). I should have done this test while I was running IOS 5 on iPad :-/

On the Galaxy Tab and most (if not all) Android systems this can be adjusted in the settings though, wish Apple had done the same, then at least we could opt for it

I don't know if anyone still looks at this thread, but the problem still exists.

I have found an effective work around, which is ugly but effective. First you have to install a free app called SmartRecord (or a similar app).  Record a couple of minutes of near silence. Then set it to repeat playback, with the volume at zero.  Now you can go back to the home page. As long as you leave this app running, the iPad will not disconnect from the wi-fi, even if you close the lid and/or lock it.  It will auto-lock as normal, still without disconnecting the wi-fi.

I have found this invaluable at work, where connecting to the wi-fi is troublesome and time consuming, so you don't want to lose it once you've got it.

SmartRecord fits the bill perfectly because it provides for repeat playback, which most free apps do not, and because it has an independent volume control. It will stop repeating eventually, but only after several hours. Be aware that, if you use another recording app or just play some music, SmartApp will stop playback, so you will need to start it again afterwards. That is probably true of any audio app, as the iPad has limited multi-tasking capabilities.

It would be wise to leave the iPad on charge, since the wi-fi alone will drain the battery, but that has no effect on the wi-fi connection.

I hope a few people will find this useful.

I currently am having the same problem with my 9 month old Itouch 5. It only started doing it a couple months ago. So freaking irritaiting... I can't recieve messages or any online notifcations without having to unlock my itouch. Why is there not a simple solution? Hypothetically speaking what happens if an emergency arises and someone sends me a message? I wont be able to respond because it wont come through unless i check my itouch like its my job... So dumb. I've tried every remedy people have said to do on this thread yet none of them work for me.

Hi all, it now works for me at least ... very weird ...

For recall, my home network is full Cisco, and access-point is an AIR-LAP-1142N-E (running autonomous software, so, equivalent to an AIR-AP-1142N-E)

While I was on holidays, my iPhone 3GS and my iPad 3 were connected flawlessly to an ISP box, without any issues (a Freebox Revolution V6 - since I'm in France). Very frustrating that it works with a cheap box and not with a Cisco network . So, definitely not an Apple iOS issue, but probably a Cisco IOS bug. And still very annoying to have mail app in background and often updating mailbox, this to reenable WiFi. Needless say, Youtube videos were unwatchable ...

Back then, I tried to solve this, performing many tests. Problem is that I performed so many tests that I do not know exactly what was the thing that solved the issue ...

On router:

-bound IP address on dhcp (permanent lease) -> no effect

On Access Point:

-Updated IOS to latest version (c1140-k9w7-mx.152-4.JA1) -> no effect

-Set holdoff time for authentication failed clients to 10 seconds (command: dot11 holdoff-time 10) -> no effect

-On 802.11b/g radio settings, set keepalive to 10 minutes (command: interface Dot11Radio0 then

keepalive 600) -> no effect

-On same radio, disabled default filtering ( commands: no bridge-group 1 subscriber-loop-control, no bridge-

group 1 spanning-disabled, no bridge-group 1 block-unknown-source) -> no effect

Then:

-Set en extra SSID to perform tests with other radio (802.11n) with iPad since 3GS is limited to 802.11g

-put SSID in other radio (interface Dot11Radio1, i.e. 802.11n)

-unshut 802.11n radio

-tried to connect to this radio. Connection failed since configuration was incomplete, but 802.11g was no

longer disconnecting this time.

I then shut 802.11n radio to reuse 802.11g, and I have since no issues. An explanation, perhaps, but really unsure: 802.11n radio was never used on that device, so perhaps, it may explain (seems like a bug )

True, when devices enters in sleep mode, they disconnect themselves from network, but when alive, no longer constant disconnects while using internet (or not). Wifi icon remains in steady state.

Shame on Apple to be so uncommunicative with this well-known issue! My wife, seeing these issues, no longer wanted Apple devices, and turned to an S3 mini and a Galaxy Note (she never experienced that issue).

BTW, hope this helps some of you!

I bought an iPod Touch 64 5G just two weeks ago and recognized this issue where once in sleep mode it disconnected from my home wifi and no notifications appear.

I've tried every fix suggested in this chain with no success.

I noticed though that if I left the iPod to recharge no loss in wifi connection took place on my home wifi.

On the personal hot spot of my smart phone or on the wifi at work, the iPod touch stays connected even in sleep mode.

I have an iPad 2 64 that stays connected to wifi just fine and all notifications appear perfectly well no matter what wifi network I've connected it to.

I just had an exchange for a new iPod at the Genius Bar here in Paris where it was confiremed to me that this was not normal functioning. The new iPod reacts exactly as the first one: during recharge it stays connected to wifi. In normal use and left in sleep mode in disconnects.

I hope this issue will be resolved in iOS7.

I think iOS 6 has the problem this was not the case in iOS 5 so according to me to turn wifi  on even when your phone is in sleep is to let the safari browser running in the background yes it could use your battery a little but I think it is the only option available it worked for me

Sorry not safari browser but any social network apps like FB or what's app or we chat

If you charge your iPod touch and have it connected to the wall charger, the Wi-Fi will be conncted but the moment you pull the plug and go into sleep mode, the Wi-Fi will be turned off. According to Apple it's normal and to conserve battery but this is frustrating... let's see if iOS 7 will remove this nasty unnecessary 'feature'.

This only happens on certain wifi connections. My iPod Touch 5G disconnects from my home wifi if it's not recharging (my iPad 2 does not). However my iPod Touch 5G stays connected to wifi on my work wifi (cisco) and at friends' wifi.

This has been resolved on my iPod Touch 5G with the iOS7 upgrade. The wifi stays connected even on my home wifi which was the issue previously.

I've upgraded my iPhone 4s to iOS7 yesterday and have the same problem (dropped wifi connection when screen is off), the problem did not exist in iOS6...

Not sure whats wrong, but I've tried several suggestions from this forum already and none seem to work...

@applesupport - any view form you when this will be resolved?

Hey dude. I dunno why I still get these apple support emails, but I'm here now haha. I posted 1 solution, on a bunch of similar threads. It's worked for me and loads of people. Just that it didn't get much publicity on this particular thread. But hey, go back a few pages till you see my fix. It'll work man. Let me know.

Unless your device is plugged into a wall socket, it will drop the Wifi connection when it is turned off. It will recognize incoming Facetime calls, etc., and reconnects almost instantaneously when you click the home key and turn it back on. (so quickly, in fact, that you may not even notice it).

BTW - I am still on iOS 6.1.3, and that is how it works. That is how it has always worked. That is undoubtedly how it always will work.

This is to prevent unnecessary battery drainage. It is normal, and it is how it works....

Cheers,

GB

Dear all,

I can confirm that iOS7 update has resolved this issue on my iPod Touch and my iPhone 4S. They both stay connected to my home wifi (the only wifi connection that dropped while in sleep mode all others were fine).