Iphone 15 pro does not auto join known network. Plz halp

[dash09]

Searches online all point to enabling the auto join option in wifi settings, which I had enabled from day 1 but since then the phone has never automatically joined the wifi. I get home and switch off mobile data and switch on wifi and the phone just stops there. If I long press the wifi button to display networks it then shows my network which I can choose and it connects. My expectation is that when I switch off mobile and switch on wifi it must connect on its own to this known network. All cheap android phones I've owned are able to do this.

Things I have tried so far:
Auto join enabled/disabled
Network forgotten and rejoined
Network settings reset
Disable/enable private wifi address

So if any of you more familiar with IOS can recommend something I'd appreciate it.
Additionally, does the phone have a function where it can detect my location so that when I am home it automates switching off the mobile and joining the wifi? The 5 seconds it takes me to do this is too much

 

[PoisonousZebra07]

Hi,

I have not run into the problem you described, but you can use the shortcuts program to create a "script" to turn of the mobile data and switch on the wifi.

I quickly did it like this:

Open the shortcuts app
Select the plus sign upper right hand corner
Add action, search for mobile data
Select mobile data
Should show you : Turn Mobile Data On (this is blue), click on On to turn it off.
Below that it shows set wifi, click plus button.

Once done, select done upper right corner.

Then you can just add it as a widget.

Hope this helps. If I am wrong, maybe some else can correct me.

 

[Trompie67]

This makes no sense. You do not have to switch off mobile data & join wi-fi. The phone does this automagically unless you've screwed around and borked some setting/s somewhere.

I've owned iPhones for 11 years, never had to switch off mobile data, the phone simply joins the home wi-fi network when it is in range.

 

[LukeHawk]

Yep - can confirm. Wifi should just auto-join as soon as you are within range. Unless your Wifi is super weak/unreliable, then it might stick to data as a preference. known networks auto-join, thats how it works.

Under settings -> Wi-Fi -> "Ask to join networks" it even says there "Known networks will be joined automatically ...etc.. (the rest depends on your setting - I have mine set to "Notify" for unknown networks. But regardless, known is joined automatically"

I cant even find a setting to turn this off - so I'm not sure whats going on with your phone. Perhaps it's a setting on your Wi-Fi itself that is limiting/preventing "new" or automatic connections? If that's even a thing.

 

[∀Z‾soʇɐuɐɥ┴]

Don't listen to these people, your phone is busted, I will trade you my 13 pro max for your 15 pro

 

[dash09]

This makes no sense. You do not have to switch off mobile data & join wi-fi. The phone does this automagically unless you've screwed around and borked some setting/s somewhere.

I've owned iPhones for 11 years, never had to switch off mobile data, the phone simply joins the home wi-fi network when it is in range.

Out the box its been like this. I have the habit of when I leave home I switch off wifi, to save battery. When I get back home I switch it back on and then mobile data off.
Got home 10 minutes ago, switched on wifi and left mobile data on, does not connect. Switch off mobile data while wifi still on, does not connect. Wifi is still searching while I am typing this on my laptop which automatically connected to the wifi. Long press the wifi button and then it finds the 2 wifi signals I have (2.4 and 5ghz) and I have to select the 1 I always use that is set to auto join

 

[dash09]

Yep - can confirm. Wifi should just auto-join as soon as you are within range. Unless your Wifi is super weak/unreliable, then it might stick to data as a preference. known networks auto-join, thats how it works.

Under settings -> Wi-Fi -> "Ask to join networks" it even says there "Known networks will be joined automatically ...etc.. (the rest depends on your setting - I have mine set to "Notify" for unknown networks. But regardless, known is joined automatically"

I cant even find a setting to turn this off - so I'm not sure whats going on with your phone. Perhaps it's a setting on your Wi-Fi itself that is limiting/preventing "new" or automatic connections? If that's even a thing.

Signal is strong all around, I have mesh network. Mobile data signal is kak at my house.
I've now set the "ask to join networks" setting to off to test

 

[LukeHawk]

Signal is strong all around, I have mesh network. Mobile data signal is kak at my house.
I've now set the "ask to join networks" setting to off to test

Did it work?

On my older iPad, when I am in my bedroom, far from the router, I wont even pick up a wifi signal unless I turn wifi off then on, then I can see my wifi networks and connect. But I'm sure that is just because my wifi is weak in my bedroom. When I take the iPad closer to my router then it just auto connects no problem.

Try your scenario with a different iphone if you have somebody around you that has one? And take your iphone to somebody elses wifi that you've saved. Might help you pinpoint if its your phone or your network.

 

[𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓵.𝓒𝓱𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓮𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓒𝓪𝔂𝓭𝓮]

Out the box its been like this. I have the habit of when I leave home I switch off wifi, to save battery. When I get back home I switch it back on and then mobile data off.
Got home 10 minutes ago, switched on wifi and left mobile data on, does not connect. Switch off mobile data while wifi still on, does not connect. Wifi is still searching while I am typing this on my laptop which automatically connected to the wifi. Long press the wifi button and then it finds the 2 wifi signals I have (2.4 and 5ghz) and I have to select the 1 I always use that is set to auto join

Just spitballing here. Are you running the phone with the Power Saver? Most phones turn off background Wi-Fi scanning if Power Saver is on.

 

[VoXX0024]

I have a client who runs a Guest house. He says he has guests that use iPhones, after leaving for the day when they return they have to manually rejoin each time. Like OP states the iPhones don't auto join.
Haven't investigated the issue further, so don't have any more information regarding the users devices yet.

 

[dash09]

Did it work?

On my older iPad, when I am in my bedroom, far from the router, I wont even pick up a wifi signal unless I turn wifi off then on, then I can see my wifi networks and connect. But I'm sure that is just because my wifi is weak in my bedroom. When I take the iPad closer to my router then it just auto connects no problem.

Try your scenario with a different iphone if you have somebody around you that has one? And take your iphone to somebody elses wifi that you've saved. Might help you pinpoint if its your phone or your network.

Yesterday I left wifi on when I left for work and when I got back home it connected. Next time I go to the office I'll test with switching off the wifi.
From what I can tell the issue comes up when wifi is off for quite a bit of time, like going to work, not if I switch it off for a few minutes and then back on again.

No other phone to test with

 

[dash09]

Just spitballing here. Are you running the phone with the Power Saver? Most phones turn off background Wi-Fi scanning if Power Saver is on.

Its my first iphone so I'm not entirely clued up here but in battery settings I do not have "low power mode" switched on.
I've only changed the charging optimization to 80% but that only affects the charging

 

[dash09]

When I do switch off wifi, as in toggle the button in control center, notification comes up "disconnecting nearby wifi until tomorrow".
Is this normal?

 

[RaptorChris]

This is such an odd issue, have you had any updates on the phone since getting it? If not could maybe do a restore on the phone using this method, it's the equivalent of an actual reload when you select restore vs just a factory reset. I know its a pain to set up the phone again but its what I would do

If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch

You can put your iOS device in recovery mode, then restore it using your computer.

support.apple.com

 

[dash09]

This is such an odd issue, have you had any updates on the phone since getting it? If not could maybe do a restore on the phone using this method, it's the equivalent of an actual reload when you select restore vs just a factory reset. I know its a pain to set up the phone again but its what I would do

If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch

You can put your iOS device in recovery mode, then restore it using your computer.

support.apple.com

Phone is currently 17.2.1
I was thinking of restoring but want to wait until the next update

 

[Scrooloose]

I have this issue with an Android phone on my home's mesh network. The iPhone connects without issues, but every now and again the Android phone misbehaves. Doesn't happen with any other Android phones though.

My theory is that the Mesh changes channels to avoid congestion and the phone then gets upset about it for a period of time. After about 30 minutes, it magically connects. Or perhaps it's an anti-spoofing mechanism on the access points that's causing some temporary kak.

 

[dash09]

I have this issue with an Android phone on my home's mesh network. The iPhone connects without issues, but every now and again the Android phone misbehaves. Doesn't happen with any other Android phones though.

My theory is that the Mesh changes channels to avoid congestion and the phone then gets upset about it for a period of time. After about 30 minutes, it magically connects. Or perhaps it's an anti-spoofing mechanism on the access points that's causing some temporary kak.

You might be onto something here because I checked my router settings now and my 5ghz has multiple bandwidth from 20 - 160 and channels set to auto. I'm going to set to 40 and test

 

[∀Z‾soʇɐuɐɥ┴]

You might be onto something here because I checked my router settings now and my 5ghz has multiple bandwidth from 20 - 160 and channels set to auto. I'm going to set to 40 and test

I had a similar issue on my Asus Wifi 6 router, what I did was split the bands to separate APs so that you either connect for normal 5ghz or wifi 6 5ghz bands individually, does mean some more APs but at least it works betterer on my end

 

[JollyJamma]

You might be onto something here because I checked my router settings now and my 5ghz has multiple bandwidth from 20 - 160 and channels set to auto. I'm going to set to 40 and test

I've had issues with channels before. I had it set to Auto up to 160 and my devices did not like that.

Manually set it to 40 or 80 and see how that goes - auto can be a stupid option on Wifi routers but I'm no expert.

I do know a networking expert who does network stuff full time and is excellent but isn't cheap. Let me know if you need his number.

 

[J37]

When I do switch off wifi, as in toggle the button in control center, notification comes up "disconnecting nearby wifi until tomorrow".
Is this normal?

Yes, have the same thing with my 13 Pro.

 

[goldfritter]

When I do switch off wifi, as in toggle the button in control center, notification comes up "disconnecting nearby wifi until tomorrow".
Is this normal?

Why don't you just leave WiFi on when you're out and about? It seems to have solved your issue, and it really uses very little battery.

 

[el3venth]

@dash09 Are you using a Mesh network?
Is the mesh using the same name but different frequencies?

I had an issue where the phone did not want to connect when there was two SSIDs with the same name, but different frequencies, etc. So I would suggest checking the options available on your mesh network.

 

[Switch]

I have the habit of when I leave home I switch off wifi

When I do switch off wifi, as in toggle the button in control center, notification comes up "disconnecting nearby wifi until tomorrow".
Is this normal?

This is likely your problem, exactly as the message reads you have told the phone to disconnect from the wifi and only reconnect the next day. If your wifi icon has a white background then it means it's disconnected and will not automatically rejoin. To truly turn off the wifi you need to do it in the settings, the resulting icon will be a translucent background with a backslash line through the signal icon. To have the phone autojoin, you should press the icon until you get the blue background, phone will then auto join the wifi.

You should just leave your wifi on, no real reason to turn it off unless you are battery constrained.

 

[dash09]

@dash09 Are you using a Mesh network?
Is the mesh using the same name but different frequencies?

I had an issue where the phone did not want to connect when there was two SSIDs with the same name, but different frequencies, etc. So I would suggest checking the options available on your mesh network.

Mesh network, frequencies have different names. However I have limited the 5ghz to only use 1 channel, to see if that makes a difference

 

[dash09]

Why don't you just leave WiFi on when you're out and about? It seems to have solved your issue, and it really uses very little battery.

I come from android, I'm used to switching everything off to save battery. But yes the battery life now is much better and keeping it on shouldn't be an issue

 

[dash09]

This is likely your problem, exactly as the message reads you have told the phone to disconnect from the wifi and only reconnect the next day. If your wifi icon has a white background then it means it's disconnected and will not automatically rejoin. To truly turn off the wifi you need to do it in the settings, the resulting icon will be a translucent background with a backslash line through the signal icon. To have the phone autojoin, you should press the icon until you get the blue background, phone will then auto join the wifi.

You should just leave your wifi on, no real reason to turn it off unless you are battery constrained.

Phone wifi going on and off is not the issue, I'm fine manually doing this. Problem is that when I switch it on it doesnt auto join anything even though that is set. When the wifi is switched on I still have to long press the icon and choose my network.
There are days where I listen to spotify for maybe 6 hours straight while working, so battery does go down a bit there. Plus I'm charging to 80% capacity

I have changed some stuff on my router though and will only be able to test the next time I'm out for the day

 

[goldfritter]

I come from android, I'm used to switching everything off to save battery. But yes the battery life now is much better and keeping it on shouldn't be an issue

I think I agree with @Switch: the notification you described earlier means that you're telling your phone explicitly to not auto-connect, even when you turn your WiFi back on when you get home. There may be a way to disable this behaviour, but for now, the act of switching your WiFi off means it won't auto-connect later on. I doubt anything you change on your router will make any difference at all.

Just leave your WiFi on.

 

[𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓮𝓵.𝓒𝓱𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓮𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓒𝓪𝔂𝓭𝓮]

Its my first iphone so I'm not entirely clued up here but in battery settings I do not have "low power mode" switched on.
I've only changed the charging optimization to 80% but that only affects the charging

Huh weird. Well that's off so definitely not that affecting anything. Maybe while it's new try restoring firmware with iPhone through iTunes and see if that fixes it. If not return to seller as I'm sure you still have the standard 1 year with Apple

 

[Switch]

Phone wifi going on and off is not the issue, I'm fine manually doing this. Problem is that when I switch it on it doesnt auto join anything even though that is set. When the wifi is switched on I still have to long press the icon and choose my network.
There are days where I listen to spotify for maybe 6 hours straight while working, so battery does go down a bit there. Plus I'm charging to 80% capacity

I have changed some stuff on my router though and will only be able to test the next time I'm out for the day

Next time you switch off the wifi, do it from the settings instead of from the command center shortcut. See if you still have the issues then.

 

[dash09]

Some info I found: switching the wifi off from the control center which I have been doing and the notification "disconnecting nearby wifi until tomorrow" is completely normal and means the phone will automatically switch it back on the next morning. So what I have been doing is perfectly fine. When it automatically comes on the next day it should still autoconnect to the known network. I'm confident this is not the cause of my issue. Its either some other network setting on the phone or a setting on my router.

I haven't been able to test since changing the settings on my mesh router because wfh this week, but I'm hoping I can isolate the issue to my router