iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

After trying everything else, which did not solve the slow wifi problem for my iPad air 2 running 8.1.1, I disabled the "auto" channel selection in my wifi router and manually selected channel 11

This appears to have solved the problem and my wifi connection is now as fast as in my windows PC.

It could be any other channel I guess, but as long as it works with channel 11, I didn't experiment any further.

The wifi is stable now and works well for the last couple of days, so I think it is worth trying if nothing else has worked for you.

I know you addressed your post to jrc* but I would like to respond.

My iPhone and my wife's both developed Wi-Fi issues after updating to iOS 8. Our phones did not have any problems prior to iOS 8, both worked well on 7 and no new Apps were installed. Our phones are set to update Apps automatically and they are up-to-date. Our other devices (non Apple) have continued to work perfectly on our network and ISP. On account of our difficulties I spent the better part of two days with AppleCare Senior Level 2. The tech "remoted in" through my PC into my iPhone and evaluated my Wi-Fi configurations. We changed all kinds of settings, forget network, reset network settings, tried different APs, DNSs, different bands, different channels, etc., etc., all to no avail. At AppleCare's request I reset my iPhone to New iPhone status (Reset All Content and Settings) with no Apps installed, same problem. At their request I went to Starbucks and tested there with their Wi-Fi, same problem. At their request I went to my neighbor's (different ISP and AP), same problem. My iPhone was then replaced with a brand new one at the Apple Store (courtesy of Apple, I do grant that they have good customer support, at least at Level 2). Came home with new iPhone and iOS 7.1.2, tested and all ok, then upgraded to iOS 8.1.2 and immediately got Wi-Fi problems again with no Apps installed. I could have and should have left the new iPhone on iOS 7 but could not have restored my Apps from the backup I had since it was from iOS 8, I would have had to install all Apps from scratch likely taking me days of work to customize all (in hindsight this would have been preferable). I got with AppleCare Senior Level 2 again, same rep (I have his direct phone number), he "remoted in" to my new iPhone one more time and after confirming that all settings were as they should he referred my case to the Engineering/Development team who according to the Level 2 rep is “swamped”, his word. The AppleCare Level 2 tech had already seen other cases like mine and expects that a new update to either 8.1.3 or 8.2, whichever comes first, will solve the problem. Let's hope so.

Apple released iOS 8.0 on September 17, 2014 and it contained many bugs. On September 24 it released 8.0.1 ostensibly to resolve some of the bugs but only to cripple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Touch ID features and cellular connectivity. The update was released at 9:00 AM PST, and approximately at 11:00 AM PST, Apple removed the update due to these problems as well as other issues. iOS 8 has been plagued with problems from the start and these problems continue to date. You might want to take a look at this article, one of many outlining the difficulties Apple customers are having:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/12/09/apple-releases-ios-8-1-2/

I don't want to get into a tug of war with you but frankly you don't know what you are talking about. I think if there is any ignorance on this forum it is on your part. And by the way, I am a Software Engineer with a Ph.D. from Rice University and yes I expect that when I buy a piece of technology that it will work, especially after the bugs have been well reported for over three months.

Have a good day... 🙂

Now here's a strange thing, I recently installed a TP-LINK WA850RE range extender and this extended the signal around my house but seemed to be constantly trying to establish a secure connection according to the paperwork supplied with the range extender. It definately seemed to work and I had a better wifi signal in all parts of my house, as this was the only thing that I added in the last couple of months and then updated to the latest IOS update I decided to unplug the range extender and every device has now been working well for the last 3 days so not sure if its a coincidence but I will try the range extender again at a later date so see if I can replicate the problem.

HI all

i posted a while ago regarding these issues and was contacted and run numerous tests etc in direct communication with Apple.

Today (not realising 8.1.3 had been released) I visited my local Apple store on a genius appointment. They finally accepted that there is a bug and even went to the extent of printing me out a report which states:

Customet device is not holding the wifi connection to a secure network. Customer reports that the device will connect very close to the router but anything else the device shows that the password is incorrect. Customer has been in contact with AppleCare support and has restarted the device, performed a complete restore and the issue is still there. Known issue with AirPlay and the only solution is a replacement device. Urged customer to seek consumer law claim with EE.

resolution: Service referral

REason: carrier

SO basically they have aemitted that there is a fault in this. I will be contacting trading standards and also my solicitors as soon as possible. If anyone knows where we stand with this under Uk consumer law then the info would be much appreciated. Yes EE is the seller as it was part of a contract, but, they will not accept that this fault is on their behalf as an APPLE software update caused this. Where do we stand as this is not a clear cut case set out in sale of goods act or the EU directive.

Now we are starting to get some where a little constructive. Can anyone else having the problem confirm or deny a link specifically to iCloud backup or other iCloud functions? As long as I keep it disabled I dont get wifried. I have not tested with 8.1.3 yet.

this is with my iPhone 6. As long as I keep iCloud functions off all is well. The moment I enable cloud backup BOOM.

THis could serve as both a temporary fix and a narrowing of the issue. Maybe the encryption handshake or other aspects of the cloud backup are causing the crash.

I Took a packet sniffing training course where the instructor talked bout finding very early IOS's that streamed random trash packets over wifi For no reason. When it was pointed out to their engineers they were shocked and embarrassed. Apple makes awesome products but one of their weaknesses seems to be network communications.

I Think there is definetely something in this AWDL glitch. I am luckier than most in that my wifi rarely drops out. But I see erratic throughput at times. The way I fix it (albeit temporarily) is to swipe up control centre and select the AirPlay icon which then shows a list of my AirPlay devices (airport express and Apple TV 2nd gen). If I cancel and return to whatever I was browsing then bingo back to full speed. So clearly presence of AirPlay devices is causing some problems. Strangely this problem only shows itself on my iPhone 5s but not my iPad third gem. It started the minute the wretched ios 8 arrived and has stayed an issue with every subsequent release. Of course on ios 7 everything ran perfectly! It ***** that apple saw fit to didle with the code and try fixing what didn't need fixing. It ***** even more that they don't address the bug. Whilst the apple watch is exciting they should not neglect the many many bugs in ios 8 because of it.

from a personal standpoint I am sure I could fix my issue if I unplugged all my AirPlay devices but why should I. Apple broke the functionality and for that they are causing much personal resentment towards them. I also wish they didn't keep pushing a new ios every year and actually give an existing ios time to mature. Ios 7 was great and given a two or three year run would of been very mature and stable. But constant new iOS releases make the list of bugs grow and grow with no desire to fix them because they are already trying to write ios 9, ios 10 etc

Success stories from this forum. I'll update as others report in:

Tbirdvet

Jan 16, 2015 5:13 AM

Re: iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

in response to elcpu

"The other day I bought a new TP-Link AC router and no more dropped WiFi."

americangirl_chelsea (to E-2043) 3 weeks ago (Show more)

"Happy to report that since updating (her phone) that I got my 6 nearly 5 days ago, my wifi has been super. No dropping or being sluggish"

navigaremondo

Feb 13, 2015 8:00 PM

Re: iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

in response to E-2043

"I finally caved in and bought a new router, a TENDA 300 Mbps, model W309R+. My wifi hasn't dropped since, neither on my Macbook nor my iPad 3."

Lodds

Feb 17, 2015 1:10 AM

Re: iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

in response to E-2043

"I have posted in the early days of this post - I have recently installed a Meraki AP and I no longer have the issue of disconnecting."

jimmy1264

Feb 16, 2015 1:27 PM

Re: iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

in response to E-2043

"I changed my Lan IP's to be a 10.X network and everything came up and so far the iPad has been working."

mmurray47: Just Google "wifi problems" and you'll see this is not just an Apple or iOS 8x issue...

http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s5/380118-galaxy-s5-wifi-issues. html

http://m.winsupersite.com/surface/will-microsoft-ever-fix-surface-pro-3-wi-fi-is sues

http://forums.windowscentral.com/nokia-lumia-1520/256138-odd-wifi-problem.h

No need to read all the pages, just 3 back there is some details on the issue. It is a software issue, it is NOT related to your router in the house, etc. I have high end equipment at home used in corporate environments and still suffer the problems everyone on here is talking about. There is a good article that discusses the issue from a technical perspective, search for "WiFried iOS 8" and you'll find the article (medium dot com).

Let's hope Apple is up to the task .. otherwise they will have a lot of upset customers. Between my wife and I we have 4 iOS devices and 1 Macbook and each have the problem. My cousin's family has 4 iOS devices as well and experience the same issue (on newer AC hardware). My friend's family has 5 iOS devices and they experience the issue as well. I run support for two locations that have numerous people connecting to enterprise grade hardware and they experience the same issue (at random times). It is a bug in OS X and iOS (they share a codebase).

I agree. corporate networks may not allow your phone out via the firewall to contact the DNS server.

The static DNS fix did not work for me i had to set up a static IP address and DNS on my home network due to the dropping. it seems to be a lot more stable now. it is almost like the iDevice keeps requesting the IP address but the router says that it is taken and then fails hence the drop.

Saying that i never noticed it dropping anywhere else apart from watching Netflix. this is definitely a software issue on the part of Apple There must be something the network stack that is causing the problem.

to help with what Riddick187 says about the DNS Google's DNS addresses are 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4. they are the ones i use as the ones provided by my ISP are slow. i have never had any issues with those and they are quick to update as well

yep definetely major problems surrounding bluetooth, airdrop, AirPlay in ios 8 as yet unaddressed which remains farcical. another poster has been kind enough to alert many of us to the wifried glitch. Personally I don't use Bluetooth much but I do use AirPlay as I have airport express and Apple TV. I see some very erratic speed drops in my wifi all through ios 8 (most noticeably on the iPhone 5s), often cured momentarily by swiping up control centre and tapping on the AirPlay icon to view the device list. It never lasts though. If I unplug both my AirPlay devices so the AirPlay icon doesn't appear then all is fine. It's totally lame. I have reported to apple many times in painful phone calls, the genius guys don't want to know, and reporting on their feedback page is as useful as screaming for help at the top of Everest. The AirPlay, airdrop glitch is responsible. There are other issues too which I am lucky i avoid but this should be fixed. I mean it's their own hardware and technologies causing the grief. I guess the reason many many millions don't notice issues is because most regular users don't have Bluetooth on much if at all and even less probably have AirPlay dvices. so that's why many claim all is ok. But this thread is very real evidence of a serious issue in my eyes. Very disappointed as ios 7 was a joy but we have endured this now for 7 or 8 months. So tired of it all, I want to like their stuff but am getting seriously put off. They don't listen.

It is weird the issues. I never drop wifi, it's always there. But I see frequent reduced throughput on the 5s and also (albeit to a lesser extent the iPad 2nd gen). We have two iPad minis in the house that seem more or less fine (very occasional odd behaviour). The 5s is worst affected though and causes my most frustration as it's the device I am always using. I am convinced airplay is the trigger because if I unplug apple TV and airport express no more issue with speed. Also I can fix the 5s temporarily speed wise by flicking control centre up and physically touching the AirPlay icon to display the AirPlay device list. I don't actually select one. Just need to display them and then just flick control centre back down. Doing this restores full speed at least for a while. Strange huh? And only since ios 8 installed. So for me, ios 8 does work but not well at least on a couple devices. I speculate that AirPlay is a major factor and the wifi chips in those devices cannot cope in the ios 8 environment. I am frustrated as a result and i have a fair amount of disdain to ios 8 - the wifi is very important but it's not the only thing ios 8 has done badly as I see many other glitches/bugs/things no longer done as well unfortunately but those are separate things

Seems iOS8.3 is out and listed are wifi and Bluetooth fixes on this one so here's hoping it fixes these issues lots of us have had to put up with.

http://9to5mac.com/2015/04/08/apple-releases-ios-8-3-including-new-emojis-with-d iversity-new-siri-languages-more/

Just got a call from AppleCare informing me that iOS 8.3 is out and that it contains bug fixes for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth resolving many of the problems reported on this thread for months. I was going to post the long list of fixes but you beat me to it which is great, thanks!!! 🙂

We'll see what evolves once 8.3 is tested by those having Wi-Fi problems - time will tell if it indeed has resolved the issues. However it is comforting to know that Apple has finally acknowledged that there were bugs with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and that those reporting problems were indeed correct regardless of the trolls who said otherwise, sometimes with offensive and derogatory words.

So for the trolls who stated repeatedly that there was nothing wrong with iOS it is time to eat your words. Enjoy!!! 😝 😝 😝

I've been using 8.3 on my iPhone since it came out & the connectivity problems seem to have been sorted (famous last words?) so I'm now updating my iPad

At home, & in cafes etc no more drop-outs, so well done Apple for eventually sorting it out

Also noticed something strange, might be coincidence, but the battery is now lasting longer. Before upgrade with average (for me) use I'd only get about 5 hours after fully charging. Today it's been over 6 hours and I've still got 40%.

psmythirl wrote:

I believe I have now solved my problem. I now appears that my particular issue was being caused the Netgear Genie app on my iPad. This has some kind of option for controlling access to media which I have never used and never activated. In addition is was showing as inactive. Despite all of that deleting the app and rebooting my iPad has completely fixed my connection issues. I will report the issue to Netgear if I can.

Thanks for the information.