Block App’s WiFi Access

Question

Level 1

12 points

Block App’s WiFi Access

hello,

I need to be able to block some apps access to the internet entirely. I have some quesifonable paid apps that keep going online for no reason, but also keep working when entirely offline. While I am able to block cellular data, the option for wifi is missing.

This option to block individual app access to WiFi does in fact exist on iOS however it is only limited to users in China, so that makes me feel like I don’t have a control over my phone, I have paid over a $1000 for a phone that has this basic “firewall” feature disabled.

The issue besides privacy is I want to use the iPhone to send email via a SatPhone WiFi hotspot. Due to the high connection cost I have no interest of other apps accessing the online connection during that time. Furthermore, a lot of hotels and airlines have metered internet connection, where I wouldn’t want all my social media apps downloading a potentially very expensive payload of unnecessary data. And again, China has this option present, I paid over a thousand for an international version of the iPhone - and I do not have this option!

Can someone please check if this option is possible to enable through Apple Configurator? I really don’t want to mess w it’s configurator to enable something that should be there by default, this is the most basic firewall present on every larger device on earth, AND ALL CHINESE SOLD IPHONES.

PS. I have submitted my feedback to Feedback - iPhone - Apple please submit yours too, to make this option default.

Submit it under “Configurability” with title “Block Application WiFi Access”

iPhone 8, iOS 11.2.5

Posted on Feb 11, 2018 4:16 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 12, 2018 7:25 AM in response to Dr. Krane

Dr. Krane wrote:

Right, that was the least of my concerns, and the apps are all from the App Store, and some of them use data for questionable reasons,

If the apps are using data for "questionable reasons" that seems reason enough to get rid of them.

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Answer 2

Dr. Krane Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 11, 2018 4:33 PM in response to Dr. Krane

To add, there are unsecure apps that send data over http which over WiFi can be intercepted, cookies can be intercepted over WiFi, this is why people are forced to pay for VPN. There is not a single counter argument against this feature, and no reason for it to be absent, especially on an international iPhone. Any counter arguments will be equivalent to first generation iPhone not being able to shoot video, and you saying “You don’t need it”

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Answer 3

Feb 11, 2018 4:37 PM in response to Dr. Krane

There are no apps in the App Store that send data over non-encrypted (HTTPS) connections. It is a requirement to use only https to be approved for the app store. If you have apps that you did not get from the app store you use them at your own risk.

Likewise, if you have questionable apps, get rid of them.

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Answer 4

Dr. Krane Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 12, 2018 7:24 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Right, that was the least of my concerns, and the apps are all from the App Store, and some of them use data for questionable reasons, this was not a helpful answer to my question in any way, you were probably one of the people denying Apple slowing down iPhones.

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Answer 5

Feb 12, 2018 7:59 AM in response to Dr. Krane

I am a user, like you. When you post in a user support forum it is usually a good idea to be polite to the other users trying to help you. As you have not followed that convention, you are unlikely to receive the support you are looking for. Certainly not from me.

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Answer 6

Dr. Krane Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 12, 2018 6:02 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

What is this android now? On android you give up all privacy in order to use an app, what you are suggesting is absolutely absurd, and the questionable data is not even the issue here, the issue is access to the internet without my permission, I want to have an option to block specific application access to WiFi, are you seriously not in support of this? I am not asking for some useless gimmick feature like Animoji, or faceID, I’m asking for a genuinely useful firewall feature WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO USERS IN CHINA

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Answer 7

Dr. Krane Author

Level 1

12 points

Feb 12, 2018 5:58 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

If you had any tangible support you would have given it.

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Block App’s WiFi Access

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