Does iOS 9 require an SSID to be broadcasted in order to join a wireless network? On previous versions of iOS I was able to connect to my home wireless network when hiding the broadcast of my SSID.

Question

Does iOS 9 require an SSID to be broadcasted in order to join a wireless network? On previous versions of iOS I was able to connect to my home wireless network when hiding the broadcast of my SSID.

Does iOS 9 require an SSID to be broadcasted in order to join a wireless network? On previous versions of iOS I was able to connect to my home wireless network when hiding the broadcast of my SSID. Currently, I can only connect to my home network with iOS 9 if I'm broadcasting my SSID. Also, I found an article on Apple Support from 9/11/2015 that "recommended" that the SSID be broadcasted, but it wasn't required. Thanks.

Posted on Sep 16, 2015 6:44 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 6, 2017 7:24 AM in response to Mario Aurelio

Sorry to necro this thread, but I'd like to report that even as of iOS 10.3.2 on iPhone 6S Plus, nearly 2 years later, this problem is still an issue. I'm guessing by this point that Apple has just filed the bug under "will not fix". I'm using a Linksys EA4500 with MAC address filtering enabled and SSID broadcast disabled. The phone connects just fine if SSID broadcast is enabled.

One strange thing of note: if I connect to a mobile hotspot on my spouse's phone first, then enter the network details manually under the Other network type, the phone connects just fine to the Linksys. However, it seems to forget about the network after a time and refuses to reconnect.

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Answer 2

iFaqeer

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2015 12:15 PM in response to Mario Aurelio

Yes, this seem to be the case in iOS 9, as I'm seeing the same issue. I've seen some other people report the same issue. That's why I've downgrade back to 8.4.1 for now, till this gets fixed.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,964 points

Sep 17, 2015 12:17 PM in response to Mario Aurelio

No. It works just fine if the SSID is not being broadcast. We use a hidden (non-broadcasting) network in my office. Dozens of iPhones, most of them now updated to iOS 9, have no problems with it at all.

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Answer 4

iFaqeer

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2015 1:19 PM in response to KiltedTim

I've tested this 3 times now on my iPhone 6. When on 8.4.1 and SSID is hidden, Wi-Fi connects to the network just fine. Updated to a clean install of iOS 9, unless I make the SSID visible, Wi-Fi won't connect. As soon as I turn on the SSID broadcast, it will connect immediately. Others reporting the same issue: https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/4624

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Answer 5

Sep 17, 2015 3:51 PM in response to KiltedTim

You make a very interesting point KiltedTim. My wife has the exact same phone (5S), but is on 8.4.1, and her phone connects to the network if the SSID isn't broadcasted. On the other hand, I'm on 9.0, and my phone will only work if the SSID is broadcasted. And my phone has always connected to the network without the SSID being broadcasted in the past. Unfortunately, after updating to iOS 9 yesterday it now will only work if the SSID is broadcasted. Additionally, I even reset my Network Settings, but to no avail. Thanks.

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Answer 6

Sep 17, 2015 3:53 PM in response to iFaqeer

Thanks for replying iFaqeer. I was always under the impression that one couldn't roll back to a previous version, but it appears that is what I'm going to attempt to do.

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Answer 7

Sep 17, 2015 4:37 PM in response to Mario Aurelio

Additionally, I just upgraded an iPad Mini 2 from iOS 8.4.1 to 9.0. Same issue is encountered when trying to access a network when the SSID is hidden. If I broadcast the SSID, it connects without issue. The moment I disable the SSID broadcast the iPad is disconnected. This is now 2 different devices (iPhone 5S & iPad Mini 2) running iOS 9 that cannot connect to a network when the SSID is hidden. Conversely, when both were running iOS 8.4.1 I had no issues. I'm starting to think this is either an issue, or a change that was made with iOS 9.

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Answer 8

Sep 17, 2015 4:41 PM in response to Mario Aurelio

Have you tried re-connecting manually, as you had to the first time you set up a connection to the router with the hidden SSID? And if that doesn't resolve it, go to Settings/General/Reset - Reset network settings, then start over creating a new connection. This will remove all WiFi passwords, but won't change anything else.

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Answer 9

iFaqeer

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2015 6:46 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I have tried re-connecting manually many times and even tried reset network settings, none worked for me. I always get "unable to join the network ..." message in iOS 9. As soon as I turn on SSID broadcast, Wi-Fi connects instantly. So, this seem to be a definite bug in my humble opinion. For now, downgraded back to 8.4.1 till someone figures out the root cause.

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Answer 10

gdgmacguy

Level 7

21,891 points

Sep 17, 2015 7:03 PM in response to Mario Aurelio

Settings>Wifi>Other

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Answer 11

Sep 17, 2015 7:30 PM in response to iFaqeer

IF it's a bug why does it only affect some users?

Have you rebooted your router?

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Answer 12

iFaqeer

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2015 7:50 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes, I have re-booted the router and it made no difference. If it is working fine in 8.4.1 and in the past then obviously something has changed in the new version now that it won't work anymore. I've got 6 other devices in my home that all connect to the same hidden Wi-Fi just fine in the exact same setup. Even my wife's old iPhone 4 running 7.x connects just fine. Something is not right with iOS 9 here.

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Answer 13

ckuan

Level 10

120,914 points

Sep 17, 2015 7:59 PM in response to iFaqeer

I also have my Wi-Fi SSID off (from iOS 8.x to iOS 9) and all my devices connect without any issue.

iPhone 5, iPhone 6, iPad 3rd.gen & iPad Air 2.

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Answer 14

Sep 18, 2015 3:35 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes, I tried Reset Network Settings, rebooting the router and also Settings/Wifi/Other, which is how I connected to the network on previous versions of iOS as the signal was hidden. Additionally, I even restored my iPhone last night but nothing has worked. Quite simply, if the SSID isn’t broadcasted iOS generates a message stating ‘Could not find the network.” The moment I enable the SSID Broadcast, it connects without issue. The interesting part is that other users are indicating they are able to connect with the signal hidden, but unfortunately I'm having issues (as well as others) and the only thing that has changed in my environment is the version of iOS. By the way, I have several other devices which are able to connect to the hidden SSID Broadcast, which includes a Roku, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air & my wife's iPhone 5S which is running iOS 8.4.1. The only two devices which don't connect are running iOS 9 (iPad Mini & iPhone 5S). Hopefully, somebody will figure it out unless it's an issue with iOS 9. Thanks for the suggestions.

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Answer 15

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,964 points

Sep 18, 2015 4:59 PM in response to Mario Aurelio

What kind of security is on the network? It's entirely possible that the iOS 9 update has exposed a compatibility problem in the router itself, especially if it's based on a draft standard of 802.11xx. Try changing the security on the router. I'd also check to see if there's a firmware update available for the router.

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