After installing the iOS 18 update, some iPhone users are reporting trouble with their Wi-Fi. If you’re dealing with sluggish internet, a dropping Wi-Fi signal, or the complete inability to connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone after iOS 18 update, this article covers several steps to fix the problem.
Anyone can encounter Wi-Fi issues unexpectedly. If you’re faced with a Wi-Fi problem you haven’t dealt with before, there’s no need to stress about not knowing how to resolve it. Most Wi-Fi issues can be addressed easily.
There are a few Wi-Fi problems users say started to occur after installing iOS 18 update, including:
- Freshly updated iPhone is having trouble with the Wi-Fi, while the other devices seem to have no issues.
- Wi-Fi connection drops frequently.
- Wi-Fi does not connect automatically after a restart.
- The iPhone indicates that it is connected to Wi-Fi, but there is no Internet.
- Wi-Fi is Extremely slow.
We have seen Wi-Fi connectivity issues after installing iOS update before. Some iPhone users including iPhone 15 users reported Wi-Fi problems after updating to iOS 17. In this article, we will outline some troubleshooting steps to fix your iOS 18 Wi-Fi problems.
How to fix iOS 18 Wi-Fi problems
The solution below are in order. Start from the number one and keep going until your issue is resolved.
Solution #1: Update your iPhone
The first solution you should try is to ensure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS 18. If an update has come out since your upgrade to iOS 18, it may contain bug fixes that can cure your problem. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the instructions if there is a new version of iOS.
Please note that even if you have turned on Automatic Updates, you should still do this, as Automatic Updates do not update your device right away.
Solution #2: Restart iPhone and Router
Restart your Wi-Fi router and your iPhone:
- Restart your Wi-Fi router: First, unplug the power cord from the power outlet, Wait at least 30 seconds and then plug the power cord back.
- Restart your iPhone: Swipe down from the top right of the screen to bring up the Control Center. Locate the power button in the upper-right corner. Tap that button to bring up the Power Off screen. Move the icon on the slider to the right. Wait for your iPhone to turn off. Then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Solution #3: Turn off Private Wi-Fi Address
Private Wi-Fi address is a privacy feature. Your iPhone can use a randomized private MAC address when connecting to Wi-Fi networks for added privacy. Turn this off to see if this can fix the issue. Here is how:
- Move somewhere out of the range of the affected Wi-Fi network.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap Edit button located at the top-right corner of the screen.
- You will need to authenticate using your password, Face ID or Touch ID.
- You will see all known networks that you previously connected to. This may be a long list.
- Find the affected Wi-Fi network’s SSDI, which is the Wi-Fi name and tap the info (i) button next to it.
- Tap to turn Private Wi-Fi Address off.
- Now move to the range of the Wi-Fi network and see if it is working now.
Solution #4: Turn off VPN
Sometimes, a VPN may cause issues with your connection. Some VPN software may have bugs or compatibility issues that could affect your network connection. Also, certain routers may have compatibility issues with VPNs. A lot of times, users are unaware if they are using a VPN. To test if your VPN is causing issues, turn off VPN and delete the VPN profiles to see if that makes any difference. Here is how:
- On your iPhone, tap Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN.
- If Status says Connected, turn it off.
- Then tap the info (i) button next to the VPN name and tap Delete VPN. If you have more than one profile, delete them all.
Solution #5: Ensure Date and Time settings are correct
Please make sure that the date and time on your iPhone are set correctly. Here is how you can check:
- Tap Settings > General > Date & Time.
- Update if they are incorrect.
- You can also turn on Set Automatically by turning on the “set automatically” toggle.
Solution #6: Reset network settings
If your issue continues, try this step. Please note that when you choose to Reset Network Settings on your iPhone, it means you are initiating a process that will revert all network-related settings to their default configurations. This action includes Wi-Fi passwords (you will need to reenter them afterward), VPN settings, Bluetooth pairing and more. But you should also know that your content (photos, files, etc.) and other data stay intact. If you want to do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings and then follow the onscreen instructions.
Solution #7: Contact your internet service provider
You may have issues at the provider’s end, check with your cable company or Internet provider. There are two possibilities:
- There may be a service outage in your area.
- There may be issues with your account. For example, it is possible that your service may have been suspended for some reason.
If you’re using a Wi-Fi network at a company, school, hotel, store, airport, coffee shop, or other location, find an employee for assistance.
You may need to contact your internet service provider for further help.