E-2043

Q: iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

WI-Fi problems on iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina display and iPhone 5S after upgrading to iOS 8.

Typical results from OOKLA Speedtest before upgrade: Ping 17 ms, Upload 21 Mbps, Download 4.4 Mbps

Typical results after upgrade: Ping 39 ms, Download 2.9 Mbps, Upload 0.47 Mbps

iPad 2 with iOS 7.1.2 get 15 Mbps download and 4.4 upload on the same network.

Resetting network settings on the iOS 8 devices did not improve the performance.

Changing band on the router from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz did give me back the speed on all devices.

However the speed occasonally drops on the iOS 8 devices, and the signal strengt can go from full til lost connection without moving the devices.

Also sometimes the Wi-Fi SweetSpots app report 0 mbps when the signal strenght is indicated as full and then suddenly go up to around 58 Mbps again.

It is almost like the device is trying to use cellular network that I do not have on the iPads before it suddenly switches back to Wi-fi nettwork again.

I am thinking about going back to my iPad 2 with iOS 7.1.2 that is working perfectly until the Wi-Fi issues are resolved.

 

Any help will be very much appreciated!

iPad Air Wi-Fi, iOS 8

Posted on Sep 20, 2014 9:17 AM

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Q: iOS 8 Wi-Fi problems

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  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Dec 30, 2014 3:14 PM in response to don_wan
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    Dec 30, 2014 3:14 PM in response to don_wan

    don_wan,

     

    Your comments are well stated.  I wish that Apple had an Uninstall feature like many (not all) Windows updates.

     

    For whatever it is worth, my original iPhone came with iOS6 and the update to 7 was much smoother with far less complaints.  Also for whatever it is worth the AppleCare Level 2 tech told me that Apple rushed 8.1.2 out with NO beta testing (granted a small update) and while he referred my case up to Engineering/Developing that I should not expect much as they are swamped (his word).  It is also clear that 8.0.1 had major flaws as it needed to be pulled.  I am lucky I never got it but when I woke up that day it was big news on The Today Show.  Apple is struggling to issue 8.2 now as it is needed for the new iWatch which is supposed to go on sale in early 2015.  Hope they solve the Wi-Fi issue before then but I am not holding my breath.

     

    Also for some of you who may not be aware, Apple pushes updates to some users, i.e., some of us get updates auto-downloaded to our iPhones and iPads when three conditions are present, the iPhone/iPad has enough available memory to hold the download, the iPhone/iPad is connected to a charger, and the device is on Wi-Fi.  I don't want to start another discussion on this but it is a fact confirmed to me by AppleCare and on MacRumors:

    http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1651841

     

    This had nothing to do with the Settings>iTunes & App Store>Automatic Downloads>Updates toggle.  That toggle only controls Apps, not iOS updates.  When an iOS update is auto-downloaded the user gets a red bubble on Settings indicating that the update is ready to install, not download and install, as it is already downloaded.  One does have to initiate the install.  So what is the problem with this?  If you have a large update (like iOS 8.0.0) auto-downloaded into your iPhone and the phone has limited memory available (but enough for the download) the download will take the memory leaving you with a phone with little or no space until one installs the update and frees the memory.  So one is essentially forced to install the update to allow working space.  This is apparently happening all over the world as there are reports to this effect in Europe and Asia however it does not happen across the board, some users get it, some do not.

    http://appadvice.com/appnn/2014/09/how-to-avoid-having-ios-8-automatically-downl oaded-on-your-device

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Dec 30, 2014 3:19 PM in response to mmurray47
    Level 6 (16,200 points)
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    Dec 30, 2014 3:19 PM in response to mmurray47

    You stated, quote: "What part of my last post did you wish to refute?"

     

    My answer is nothing, you are free to believe anything you wish.  With your attitude it would be pointless.

  • by Procyon256,

    Procyon256 Procyon256 Jan 2, 2015 7:27 AM in response to E-2043
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Jan 2, 2015 7:27 AM in response to E-2043

    I found the below article about ios8 and wifi. I have no opinion on the matter myself nor do I have any idea if it is grounded. It was just interesting reading.

     

    *****

     

    <Link Edited by Host>

  • by London Lad,

    London Lad London Lad Dec 31, 2014 1:00 AM in response to Procyon256
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Dec 31, 2014 1:00 AM in response to Procyon256

    The details in your link are the problem and the answer, its well proven. I posted this a few weeks ago but Apple deleted my post after a couple of days and no doubt they will delete yours too.

     

    All the idiots saying there is no problem are talking rubbish and all the alleged fixes are coincidental as restarting the wi-fi connection has the effect of temporarily curing the problem as described in your link above.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Dec 31, 2014 8:12 AM in response to London Lad
    Level 6 (16,200 points)
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    Dec 31, 2014 8:12 AM in response to London Lad

    London Lad,

     

    I could not agree with you more.  Unfortunately I was not able to read your original post before Apple deleted it.  However I did read the article in the post by Procyon 256 above, found it quite interesting, and decided to test some of the theories for myself.  For instance the article states "To reproduce on 8.1.1, turn AirDrop On and begin a speed test. On a secondary device, open the Photos App, choose a photo, and press the action icon at the bottom left. You’ll see the WiFi severely degrade."  I tried this on my iPhone using my iPad as the secondary device and as Mr. Ciabarra states my Wi-Fi performance was indeed degraded.  I ran 3 speed tests (OOKLA) with an average speed of 15.2 Mbps on a nominally 15 Mbps ISP connection.  I then repeated the 3 tests as Ciabarra indicates (and so there is no confusion I did not transfer the picture, just simply selected it on the Photos App and paused).  My Wi-Fi speed average (3 tests again) went down to 9.1.  This is not as bad as I have seen, as I have reported before we own 4 iOS devices and we have seen speeds as low as 0.01 Mbps (more typically the degrading is down to 1 Mbps or so).  This problem is transient (lasts for 1 to 12 hours) and is not caused by the ISP, router, Apps or any other issue other than iOS 8.  As I also reported, AppleCare Level 2 spent the better part of 2 days with me on this and could not resolve, concluded that it is indeed an iOS 8 issue.

     

    Could you do me a favor?  Even though Apple may delete it again could you repost your message?  I would like to read it.

     

    Also regarding your statement about "idiots", the bottom dwellers are those who insist that the problems are caused by the users themselves due to their own ignorance, their gear, their old Apps (because they don't take the time to update them), their settings and their ridiculous expectations.  As they say in London, poppycock, and as we more crudely say in Texas, bulls---

  • by London Lad,

    London Lad London Lad Dec 31, 2014 8:25 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Dec 31, 2014 8:25 AM in response to elcpu

    Hi elcpu,

     

    My original post contained nothing of value other than the same link that posted above and the fact that I had confirmed the same on my home network consisting of 4 x Cisco clustered wireless access points that had been pretty bullet proof for a few years up until ios 8x.

    Roll on 8.1.3 :-)

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Dec 31, 2014 8:47 AM in response to London Lad
    Level 6 (16,200 points)
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    Dec 31, 2014 8:47 AM in response to London Lad

    I can also confirm that my own Cisco system, 3 APs and bullet proof for over a year, is not the problem.  We have 2 Dell laptops on Windows and they have yet to report any speed lower than 14 Mbps on a nominally 15 Mbps connection, the iOS devices are the only ones showing the problem.  I connected a different Cisco AP (not as powerful), same problem, disabled all Cisco, reverted to the AT&T Gateway that comes with my ISP, same problem (I normally have the wireless turned off on the AT&T, I let it rout and use the Cisco strictly as APs only).  At AppleCare's request I went to my next door neighbor (different ISP and router), same problem.

     

    I hope 8.1.3 solves the issues, I had high hopes with 8.1.2 but it turned out to be a very minor update with nothing about Wi-Fi even though Apple is well aware of Wi-Fi.  I was told that Apple is working frantically on 8.2 to provide support for the new iWatch, on sale in early 2015, so I am not holding my breath on our issues.  As long as the money keeps rolling in (and it rolls very well indeed) there is limited urgency.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jan 2, 2015 7:28 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 6 (16,200 points)
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    Jan 2, 2015 7:28 AM in response to elcpu

    While talking with AppleCare Level 2 several days back, I was advised to post comments at "apple.com/feedback".  I was told that this site is actively monitored and that it is read carefully and not ignored.  Let's hope this is the case.  I am having Wi-Fi issues again (afternoon of 12/31, but all was ok during the morning).  I have posted the message below at "feedback" but thought it might be of interest here also.

     

    By now it is well known that iOS 8 introduced Wi-Fi bugs across iOS devices. I suggest reading the 97 pages of posts on:

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/27386312#27386312

     

    Knowing that this is likely an AirDrop / Bonjour / AWDL issue I did the following:

     

    1) With AirDrop set to Contacts Only and obviously Bluetooth to ON, ran 3 OOKLA speed tests:

    Download speeds of 1.39, 1.80, 2.57

     

    2) Immediately turned AirDrop and Bluetooth to OFF, ran 3 speed tests:

    Download speeds of 15.23, 15.21, 15.21

     

    3) Immediately turned AirDrop and Bluetooth back to Contacts Only and On, ran 3 tests:

    2.32, 1.09, 1.69

     

    4) Immediately turned AirDrop and Bluetooth back to OFF, ran 3 tests:

    14.87, 15.17, 15.07

     

    I have now turned AirDrop and Bluetooth back on and at some point today for whatever the reason I will get back full speeds for a while but only to degrade again at a later time.

     

    Hope this helps in solving the problem. Many users are in need…

     

    <Link Edited By Host>

  • by frasimm,

    frasimm frasimm Jan 1, 2015 3:47 AM in response to E-2043
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 3:47 AM in response to E-2043

    HHi everyone,

    after having had terrible connectivity issues & contributing to this thread, it became so bad the ipad wouldn't connect at all, I'm now happy to report no connectivity problems for days now, I've done nothing so can only assume Apple have fixed it  

    THank you

    long long may it last!

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jan 1, 2015 5:32 AM in response to frasimm
    Level 6 (16,200 points)
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    Jan 1, 2015 5:32 AM in response to frasimm

    Hi frasimm, Happy New Year.  I am glad that your iPad is working fine at the moment but unless Apple offered iOS 8.1.3 to you and not to me I would not hold my breath that they have fixed it.  I just checked and 8.1.3 is not yet available, at least not in my area.  As you reported I have also had recurring problems with my iPad and 3 other iOS devices which at times go away.  I had a series of days early this week where all appeared well and then yesterday for no apparent reason my iPad developed slow speeds again as I reported in my post above.  This morning it is back to "normal", speeds ok at the moment, but this will not last as others like London Lad have reported.  The answer lies in the link by Procyon256, see his post towards the top of this page.

  • by Stanky,

    Stanky Stanky Jan 1, 2015 8:00 PM in response to frasimm
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 1, 2015 8:00 PM in response to frasimm

    frasimm wrote:

     

    HHi everyone,

    after having had terrible connectivity issues & contributing to this thread, it became so bad the ipad wouldn't connect at all, I'm now happy to report no connectivity problems for days now, I've done nothing so can only assume Apple have fixed it

    THank you

    long long may it last!

    I think magic and/or God played a part in this... let's here a golf clap for both.

  • by frasimm,

    frasimm frasimm Jan 2, 2015 4:25 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 2, 2015 4:25 AM in response to elcpu

    HHi elcpu.

    im running on ios 8.1,2 i had problems since ios8. At first 8.1.2 was terrible, the worse yet, with virtually no connectivity at all. I even had to give up using the iPad, I had no choice. But picking it up the other day, i find its now working fine. I keep expecting it to start playing up again..but so far its behaving. I tried everything last time, resetting the iPad & router but nothing worked. I then do nothing for days and now it's ok :-S why??

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jan 2, 2015 6:07 AM in response to frasimm
    Level 6 (16,200 points)
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    Jan 2, 2015 6:07 AM in response to frasimm

    Hi frasimm,

    The answer as London Lad pointed out lies in the link posted by Procyon256 on page 97 of this thread. There is a bug in iOS 8, well reported for 3 months now, which makes some of us loose connectivity and/or connection speed. This is not consistent, I am able to get good results at times and for no apparent reason just like you then revert to crawling speeds. As the link states there is an issue with AirDrop / Bonjour / AWDL and there is little we can do about it until Apple chooses to fix the bugs other than "jailbraking" our phones/pads and tweaking iOS, something I am not planning on doing. In the mean time there are various "fixes" which have been reported but as London Lad stated they are only temporary. In my own case I am now able to get good speeds if I turn AirDrop and Bluetooth off but this will not last. If you begin having problems again you can try using a different AP if you have one or disabling AirDrop/Bluetooth but this may or may not work and if it does it will not be for long. Sorry I cannot offer you more. We are now dependent on master Apple to correct. Also as I have mentioned, Apple is working on iOS 8.2 as it will provide connectivity to the new iWatch on sale in early 2015. I hope either 8.1.3 or 8.2 solves Wi-Fi but I am not holding my breath.... 

  • by frasimm,

    frasimm frasimm Jan 2, 2015 1:09 PM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 2, 2015 1:09 PM in response to elcpu

    TThanks for the info elcpu. I know little about the workings of these things but do know I had a perfectly good working ipad before the iOS updates & have had no end of problems since. Firstly with photo downloading, which was fixed by one of the ios 8 updates, but it still has bad connectivity Issues. After perfect performance for the past days/week now, today it started going slow again &  timing out, I don't believe it! I spoke too soon & jinxed it. At least it is connecting eventually, i worry it'll go like before, just after the 8.12 update, when it wouldn't connect at all!

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jan 2, 2015 1:21 PM in response to frasimm
    Level 6 (16,200 points)
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    Jan 2, 2015 1:21 PM in response to frasimm


    Try turning AirDrop and Bluetooth to OFF, see if that helps for a little bit... not a long term solution but it could for a while.

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