Wi-Fi issues on iPhone and Android are common but a mysterious and unnamed bug has been troubling iOS users for a long. Facing such issues at a time, when we are in dire need of internet connectivity is annoying. What’s the fix for the new iPhone wifi bug? Unfortunately, not many but this one solution can resolve the issue for some time. Check below.
It may not seem dangerous but it is as the bug can disable any iOS device permanently. However, the case is not the same for Android users which makes it a cause of concern. The Bleeping Computer reported this bug first in 2018 when a man named Carl Schou raised the wifi issues on his iPhone 14 on Twitter.
After joining my personal WiFi with the SSID “%p%s%s%s%s%n”, my iPhone permanently disabled it’s WiFi functionality. Neither rebooting nor changing SSID fixes it :~) pic.twitter.com/2eue90JFu3
— Carl Schou (@vm_call) June 18, 2021
A similar wifi problem was found with other updated iOS devices. The Denmark-based Reverse Engineer could not find a fix for it then, but now it’s easy and simple though it’s won’t resolve the issue forever.
Steps To Fix Wi-Fi Bug on iPhone 14 And Other iOS Devices
First Method- Reboot
Carl tried to connect with a personal Wi-Fi network but ended breaking the entire functionality on his device. He rebooted the device thinking it may work. Here are the complete steps to reboot iPhone:
• Press the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake Button given on either side of iPhone 14
• Wait till the Logo appears
• Release buttons to shut down
Normally, rebooting resolves the iPhone wifi problem and allows you to connect again, but it didn’t happen in his case. Surprisingly Android device easily connected with %p%s%s%s%s%n– the name of wi-fi network used by Carl.
Also Read: Does Apple’s New iPhone 13 Really Work Without Network?
Second Method- Change the SSID
Service Set Identifier or SSID or Network ID is a default identity. Changing it usually does not affect the connectivity and in fact, it’s recommended to keep a new name for your wi-fi network. This will prevent other unknown devices to make connections.
Steps to Change SSID:
• Go to Settings on your device
• Click on General
• Go to the About section
• You will see a default name for your device, Click to rename and tap on DONE
This method will work normally but in the case of a mysterious iPhone bug, it won’t.
Also Read: How To Automatically Delete All Telegram Messages?
Experts Founded The Real Bug And It Still Exists
When Android could connect to that particular SSID but not iOS, experts thought it’s either a hardware or software issue. However, later they identified the symbol % to be the real cause which confused iOS.
The cybersecurity specialist, Jake Moore, came up with a temporary solution whilst warning users about random hotspots.
Here’s the solution:
1. Go to settings Click on General
2. Search for RESET and reset the network settings
Also Read: What Is Pegasus Spyware? | How To Detect Pegasus Spyware
Though researchers did not find it affecting Bluetooth and other device features, they threw light on future consequences.
You can permanently disable any iOS device’s WiFI by hosting a public WiFi named %secretclub%power
Resetting network settings is not guaranteed to restore functionality.#infosec #0day— Carl Schou (@vm_call) July 4, 2021
Hackers may take advantage of this new iPhone wifi problem therefore one should neither add such symbols in their personal wi-fi network nor join public hotspots with such names.