iOS 8 5GHz WiFi issues

Since upgrading to iOS 8, my iPhone no longer lists my 5GHz network in the list of available networks; the only network it shows is my 2.4 GHz one. My iPad Mini (still on iOS 7) and my MacBook Pro are picking up the 5GHz network just fine, so I believe this issue is because of iOS 8. Is this happening for anyone else?

iPhone 5, iOS 8

Posted on Sep 18, 2014 7:50 AM

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109 replies

Sep 22, 2014 10:38 AM in response to Alkemine

The problem I was having before was just that my phone wouldn't even see the 5GHz network, so I couldn't make it forget the network. However, I just tried manually entering the name and password of my WiFi network in the "Other Networks" section of the WiFi settings, and that worked! My phone's connecting to the 5GHz network just fine now. Hopefully this will help everyone else as well!

Sep 23, 2014 12:01 PM in response to untidyscrawls

Same here guys,


Having problems using 5ghz. I can find and connect to it, but page load is bad and apps become unresponsive. Very frustrating since I recently upgraded my whole wifi netwerok to the 5ghz for all the apple devices we have.


When I switch using the 2.4ghz guest network it is notgiving me any problems yet. Most of the time I switch wifi off and just use the 4G connection.


I just can't imagine this was not tested. It seems such a main feuture.


Testen my whole network and I am 100% sure it is an IoS8 bug. Hope it will be fixed soon.

Sep 23, 2014 1:45 PM in response to untidyscrawls

I am Experiencing the same issue that most are seeing, with full wifi bars my iphone 5 drops passing traffic until I toggle the WiFi and even then it oly last a few minutes. This is occuring after i have upgraded to IOS 8. please fix as this is very frustrating. maybe something with the refresh protocol on the lease. 2.4Ghz is also acting us as the speeds are drastically lower. 5ghz gets 48-50Mbps down and 2.4 sits around 3-5 Mbps. Thanks.

Sep 23, 2014 2:26 PM in response to untidyscrawls

I'm seeing two possible fixes for those having sporadic connection and speed problems:


1) Reset your iOS 8 Network Settings, visit the Settings app, head to “General”, then to “Reset” and choose “Reset Network Settings”.


and/or:


2) Head to the Settings app, go to “Privacy” and then to “Location Services”, where at the bottom you will find “System Services”, then flip the switch to disable Wi-Fi Networking. This does NOT turn off wireless networking in iOS.

Sep 24, 2014 3:28 AM in response to untidyscrawls

Many thanks for all of your help. My super tech guy came round and fixed wifi connection issues. His phone connected to our wifi, but iPad and iPhone would not. So he's put in some plugs that have their own wifi signal, and hey presto...they connected.


One thing I did notice was that 'Angry Birds Friends' killed the BT wifi, and kills this wifi too.


if anyone wants to know what these plugs are, I'll happily let you know.

Sep 24, 2014 12:37 PM in response to untidyscrawls

Soon after I updated my iPhone 5s to iOS 8 my WIFI router started to act flaky, resetting every now and then. But in addition to that annoyance it's also resetting/reissuing DHCP addresses (according to a more technical friend). This is especially frustrating as the Airport Express and Windows laptop that are on the same network won't automatically reconnect but have to be toggled off and on (for the AE unplugged and plugged in again). AppleTV with the latest update has also started acting flaky.


I had no idea what the cause of all this was until a friend with practically the same setup as mine (same ISP and modem as well) complained about the same problems, both starting when we "upgraded" our iPhone 5 and 5s to iOS 8.


This upcoming "Continuity" feature scares me...

Sep 27, 2014 6:16 AM in response to MrSndmn777

I am also experiencing this issue on our iPad Air since installing iOS 8. I am able to connect to a 2.4Ghz wireless network, although the down/up speeds are slower than they were on the same 2.4Ghz network running iOS 7.1.2. Connection to the 5Ghz wifi drops on the iPad after about 10-15 seconds (even while in the same room as the wireless router), completely unusable. However, an iPhone 5s on iOS 8.0.2 stays connected to the same 5Ghz network without an issue, and I am getting the same connection speed as before the iOS upgrade on the device.


Here is what has been tried to resolve the 5Ghz connection bug on the iPad Air:


Restarted wireless router and cable modem

Performed normal reset of iPad

Installed iOS 8.0.2 update

Performed hard reset of iPad (Home + Power button)

Reset network settings and attempted to reconnect to 5Ghz network

Tested with Wi-Fi Networking disabled and enabled under Settings/Privacy/Location Services/System Services

Reset iPad to factory settings

Attempted to roll back to iOS 7.1.2 through iTunes, but since Apple is no longer signing that iOS version it would not work

Sep 27, 2014 6:37 AM in response to Mike Berson

In lieu of editing the above comment (not sure how!), I'll just add that while I have no idea what is/was causing the sudden issues with my wifi (that started soon after iOS 8 was installed), things seem to be okay now that I've renamed the SSID on both 2.4 and 5GHz WIFI networks and updated the iPhone to 8.0.2.


One annoying issue that remains is that iTunes will not sync (it can't even find) my iPhone unless the phone is rebooted. Once the phone goes out of range of the WIFI signal, it needs to be rebooted once again. Plugging it in via USB works for syncing but once unplugged it disappears again. My iPad 1st gen is running iOS5 is just fine.

Sep 27, 2014 7:05 AM in response to Grnlntrn88

I just got off a chat with Apple support. The agent tried to blame router firmware (verified current with the manufacturer), and then my network configuration. Despite the fact that I have four other devices connecting to the 5Ghz network with no issues. Stuck with 2.4Ghz as a workaround until Apple addresses this in a future update. Very glad I have this option, but I feel bad for those that don't.

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iOS 8 5GHz WiFi issues

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