iPhone XS Max Weak 5GHz WIFI Reception

I used to have full bars at my bed with iPhone X, now the Max only has 2. And it has trouble reconnect to the WIFI after airplane mode is turned on with WIFI turned on.

iPhone Xs Max, iOS 12, 64GB

Posted on Sep 22, 2018 9:53 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 28, 2018 6:19 PM

For more empirical Wifi Data you can download the Airport Utility app (no need to actually have an Apple Airport), and follow the following instructions from https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT203068 to run the scanner utility from your XS and other iOS devices at the same location to get comparative data.
The Wi-Fi scanner in AirPort Utility
Apple’s AirPort Utility includes a Wi-Fi scanner that logs the client’s view of the network. Administrators can use it to validate the client’s view of the network at a specific location.
For accurate results, use the Wi-Fi scanner on a dedicated device that’s the same model as the iOS client.
On your iOS device, go to Settings > AirPort Utility to turn on the Wi-Fi scanner.
User uploaded file
Next, open Airport Utility and tap Wi-Fi Scan.
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By default, Wi-Fi Scanner runs continuously. Use the slider to set a scan duration of up to 60 seconds.
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To start the scan, tap Scan. AirPort Utility lists all the SSIDs that it finds. This includes hidden networks, which appear as "Network name unavailable."
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The AirPort Utility scans all available bands at four-second intervals. Enterprise networks that have multiple access points are grouped by BSSID. The scanner shows information about:

  • SSID
  • BSSID
  • Last RSSI
  • Channel
  • Last Time Found

To view a trace log of the scan results for an SSID and BSSID, tap the SSID:
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The trace log shows the date and time of the scan, along with the channel and RSSI.
After the scan completes, you can share the results. Just tap the share icon (User uploaded file), then choose one of these options:

  • AirDrop
  • Message
  • Mail
  • Copy

AirPort Utility sends the results as a comma-separated list:
SSID, BSS, RSSI, Channel, time
"ACES", "18:64:72User uploaded file3:E9:40", "-57", "11", "12:02:03 PM"
"Cuba", "F8:1EUser uploaded fileF:F9:56:BC", "-53", "149", "12:02:03 PM"
"ACES", "18:64:72User uploaded file3:E9:50", "-63", "149", "12:02:03 PM"
"Cuba", "F8:1EUser uploaded fileF:F9:56:BB", "-69", "11", "12:02:03 PM"
"ACES", "18:64:72User uploaded file3:E9:40", "-67", "11", "12:02:07 PM"
The first line is a column header that shows the SSID, BSS, RSSI, Channel, and date fields. To analyze or chart the results, import the list into a spreadsheet or other tool.

744 replies

Sep 30, 2018 6:29 PM in response to fasttyper

Nobody could possibly answer that question. I do absolutely believe Apple will put out an update, which will solve this for most users. What no one can answer is when. Apple never publicly discusses what they're working on or exactly when they'll release something. What is universally true every time there's an issue is at some point they solve it.

Oct 1, 2018 1:28 AM in response to henryhuang24

Same here, i remembered that the iphone x was not the connection king with Intel chips used by apple for the phones in europe, but now my Max switches from wifi to the data connection when i am in the wrong room (that had max wifi signal before) ! Why these 1649.- € phones have worser connectivity quality as a low budget phone??? What Apple thought when the FCC feedbacked the worse connection quality ? „ Hey, lets make the phones expensiver - may they do not check it“???

I saw the wwdc, was it the connectivity for what you clapped the hands all the time to yourself?? I am really really angree, to have a useless phone when it is not in 10m range of the router, it goes back to you!

Oct 1, 2018 6:20 AM in response to minaturepincher

minaturepincher wrote:


There is also a serious issue with the battery not charging. This has turned into a disaster.

I have read about a workaround on battery charging if you have the issue. It may (or may not) be tied to the new security software built into Face ID and Password, where if the phone hasn't been active for an hour, the phone makes it not respond to a lightning cable. The workaround is to wake your phone first, then plug it in to charge and it will charge.


Also, this does not seem to effect wireless charging.

Oct 1, 2018 9:22 AM in response to dino_russ

If it’s the security issue. There’s a setting for that. Under Face ID - Passcode down toward the bottom of the screen there is a toggle for USB accessories. Turn that toggle on and you won’t see the problem again. That was introduced in iOS 11.4. I ran into it when I plugged my iPhone into an iHome speaker dock by the lightening connector. Until I found that setting I had to unlock my phone so it could charge.


However beyond that security setting I have had to wake my Max or wiggle it a little to get it to register that it’s plugged into that dock and start charging. Whether it’s a problem with the speaker dock or the phone I don’t know. But it only happens occasionally and I can’t say that it’s ever happen plugged into a separate cord and charger.

Oct 1, 2018 7:50 PM in response to MidwayFlux

They didn’t ask for logs from me. Another question is has anyone heard back from Apple with any indication they are close to a solution or know the cause of these issues? The radio silence, no pun intended, is concerning. They already released a .0.1 for watchOS. I have even contacted eero and tried their suggestions on my network without luck. This is only affecting my XS. I have multiple iPads and previous gen iPhones (5S, 6, 6S, 7 and X) in the house on the same network and not a single one is showing the poor WiFi performance that the XS is.

Oct 1, 2018 8:08 PM in response to LizG18

I submitted my logs early last week (phone is XS Max using Sprint) and no word back. As many of you have stated similarly the dilemma for me is should I return my phone (by this Friday) to Sprint for a refund and revert back to my 7+ or wait and hope a software update may fix the issue.


I am now leaning to trusting Apple to fix or replace the phone (if a hardware problem).


I

Oct 1, 2018 8:43 PM in response to LizG18

I'm not experiencing the issues many of you are. My LTE is fine and Wifi is great as well on my XS Max.


Just because I have posted to this thread, I received a call this afternoon from Apple to see if I was experiencing issues. This to me, is beyond amazing. I've been through multiple launches and multiple issues have surfaced with each launch. Every time. Every Single Time, Apple figures it out and rolls out an upgrade which makes threads like this a distant memory. But not once since I've owned iPhone (going back now to the 3G) has Apple called people who posted in a thread to gather data and make sure people were OK. Not once.


If that doesn't give you comfort and confidence that Apple is genuinely working on this and wants to make everyone's phone's "just work," I don't know what else you could ask for.


What you won't get and I see some people asking, is an update from Apple. They just don't do that. When they're fully comfortable they've got the right solution it will just roll out. The Apple Adviser I spoke with said this was an extremely high priority and their best engineers are working hard behind the scenes.


I recommend you give this some time and they'll come through for you.


Ps: I responded to you Liz, because your's was the last post. This post was not necessarily in response to your post. It's really a general comment meant for anyone concerned about this.

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iPhone XS Max Weak 5GHz WIFI Reception

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