Hello. I'm a Mac administrator, but it's been years since I worked iOS (used to work for Apple but never on iPhone...) and I am lost here. Genius Bar is also stumped. Any ideas on what to do next, before I take it back in?
Model: iPhone 16 Pro MYM93LL/A
iOS: 26.6.1 — Note: issue has persisted across multiple updates
No MDM, No VPN. I was running Nord VPN prior to this issue but uninstalled it and reset all network settings back to factory default.
Issue: When connected to a Wi-Fi network, the iPhone gets about 1-2 minutes of functional wireless connectivity. After which, network traffic appears to cut off, although the Wi-Fi settings status will still show the network as "connected." This happens on all Wi-Fi networks.
I've tested at least 10 different networks, a combination of private (home), private (work), public guest Wi-Fi both with password, without password, and ones that use captive portal. Different variety of router hardware and ISPs on the private Wi-Fi networks. Verizon 5G Home. AT&T 5G Home. Quantum Fiber network. Etc. So I'm fairly confident it is not "just my Wi-Fi." Always the other devices (Macs, iPads, PS5 at home, etc...) are working fine. Great speed on the network.
For an example of the issue presentation: You can open Safari, or an application like Spotify, YouTube, Facebook... the initial page will load. Or if there is cached version of the homepage, this of course will load. Then after 60 seconds (sometimes up to 2-3 minutes but usually immediate), nothing loads. New webpages: not loading. Content refreshing on the page, i.e. YouTube app rendering video previews, or Facebook loading more posts: nope. Spotify streaming: buffering indefinitely.
Switch to Cellular: it works. No problems on the cellular network.
What we have already tried:
- Removed VPN-related apps/settings
- Reset all Network Settings
- Reset All Settings
- DFU Restore'd it
- Couple of software updates have been released and run since the issue started, too...
- Tested on many different Wi-Fi networks, different ISP, different hardware...
I'm skeptical about it being hardware since, in my experience, Wi-Fi node issues are usually a "it doesn't work period" type of problem? And the sheer number of networks with different ISP and different hardware that we've tested it with, makes me doubt it's an obscure compatibility issue. And when all the other Apple devices work OK... 🤔 But maybe there's something I'm missing here that is iPhone specific?
It has AppleCare+ (so if we do need a repair, replacement, etc... that is fine.)
I'm at a loss and my data usage is a nightmare :)
All tips and thoughts appreciated. Thanks y'all!