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Level 2

285 points

Why doesn't Apple allow an iPhone to do WiFi scanning?

About 4 years ago Apple pulled all the apps that allowed an iPhone to scan for WiFi networks. Why? (There was something about developers using "private APIs".)

There are a number of scanning tools available for Macs. I have helped a coffee shop owner sort out his WiFi (he had both an old, disconnected, and a new WiFi router active, and had the same channels as the business next door), and used my Mac scanner to try to optimize my home network. But I still have weak coverage in some corners of the house. An iPhone would be a perfect device for figuring out interference and dead spots, because it's a lot more portable than my laptop. But Apple won't allow this use.

Why won't Apple allow this very practical use of an iPhone? I just read about a hack that allows it to show the strength of a cellular signal in detail. But you can't do this for WiFi. This does not make sense to me. Apple could make this work if it wanted to.

Thanks for any thoughts.

- Winston

iPhone 5, iOS 9.0.2

Posted on Feb 12, 2016 1:59 AM

20 replies

WinstonE Author

Level 2

285 points

Feb 12, 2016 5:08 PM in response to WinstonE

I'd like to point out that, with the exception of Rudegar, no one has tried to move the question forward about whether WiFi scanning is a desirable iOS feature or not, even though it's included in Mac OS. Since Apple solicits "constructive feedback about product features", I'd have thought it would be more useful to address this, than to focus on the "legality" of my post. This is disappointing.

If someone still feels this topic is "illegal", please feel free to report it. The thread going away would appear to do no harm, as it hasn't done any good (unless maybe someone else learned that Mac OS X has a built-in WiFi scanner - but most of you don't seem interested in anyone learning anything).

Best,

- Winston

WinstonE Author

Level 2

285 points

Feb 12, 2016 5:09 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I stand corrected. Someone did learn something. Thank you Meg.

Best,

- Winston

Feb 12, 2016 5:15 PM in response to WinstonE

WinstonE wrote:

I stand corrected. Someone did learn something. Thank you Meg.

Best,

- Winston

Hopefully, I will actually remember it should I even need it. I can certainly see, if you did need it, it would be nice to have on a portable device. However, I don't really think anyone here is going to be able to answer the rest of your questions. No one is likely to know if Apple's reasons are technical or something else. I'd suggest you submit feedback to Apple encouraging them to include it in the future:

http://www.apple.com/feedback

WinstonE Author

Level 2

285 points

Feb 12, 2016 5:27 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks. I have sent feedback to Apple about WiFi scanning, although that was before I knew they'd added it to OS X. Maybe should send again, noting that.

Best,

- Winston

LACAllen

Level 8

43,416 points

Feb 12, 2016 8:36 PM in response to WinstonE

Not to pick nits, but since wifi scanning isn't a feature, this can't possibly be "feedback about a feature".

It is more accurately feedback about a desired or missing feature and questions about why it isn't. That question/feedback can only lead to speculation and a discussion about policies. That's what is off topic here.

You can't move a question forward that is not to be asked or answered here. Don't like the rules? Don't participate.

It's not illegal as much as not allowed. There is a difference.

Why doesn't Apple allow an iPhone to do WiFi scanning?