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Wi-Fi

How to use a private network address on iPad

by Kevin Hollington

To help protect your privacy, your iPad uses a unique private network address, called a media access control (MAC) address, on each Wi-Fi network it joins.

If a network can’t use a private address, like to provide parental controls or to identify your iPad as authorized to join, you can stop using one for that network. Keeping a private address on helps limit how your iPad is tracked across different Wi-Fi networks, though.

Turn a private address off for a network

  1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Then tap the Settings button for a network.
  2. Turn Private Address off.

    Important: For better privacy, leave Private Address turned on for all networks that support it. Using a private address helps reduce tracking of your iPad across different Wi-Fi networks.

See also

Tag: Wi-Fi
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How to configure a router in Home on iPad

by Chris Smith

You can use the Home app to make your smart home more secure by allowing a compatible router to control which services your Apple Home accessories can communicate with on your home Wi-Fi network and on the internet.

Apple Home-enabled routers require that you have an Apple TV 4K or HomePod set up as a home hub. You can restrict accessories to your home hub, or choose Automatic or No Restriction.

Configure your router’s settings

  1. Open the Home app on your iPad.
  2. Set up the router with the manufacturer’s app on an iPhone or iPad.
  3. Tap the More button, then tap Home Settings.
  4. Tap Wi-Fi Network & Routers.
  5. Turn on Apple Home Accessory Security and tap an accessory. Choose one of these settings:

    • Restrict to Home: The router only allows the accessory to connect to your home hub.

      This option may prevent firmware updates or other services.

    • Automatic: The router allows the accessory to connect to an automatically updated list of manufacturer-approved internet services and local devices.
    • No Restriction: The router allows the accessory to connect to any internet service or local device.

      This provides the lowest level of security.

See also

Tags: Home, Wi-Fi
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How to make calls using Wi-Fi on iPad

by Emily Long

When your iPad has a low cellular signal, use Wi-Fi Calling to make and receive calls through a Wi-Fi network. When it’s available, you’ll see “Wi-Fi” after your carrier name in the status bar, and your calls go through Wi-Fi. Emergency calls go through cellular service when it’s available, though.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Cellular, tap Wi-Fi Calling, and then turn on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPad.
  3. Tap Enable and then follow the onscreen instructions.

    Note: Emergency calls on your iPad are routed through cellular service when available. In the event that cellular service isn’t available, and you have enabled Wi-Fi Calling, emergency calls may be made over Wi-Fi, and your device’s location information may be used for emergency calls to aid response efforts, regardless of whether you enable Location Services. Some carriers may use the address you registered with the carrier when signing up for Wi-Fi Calling as your location. When connected to Wi-Fi calling, your iPad may not receive emergency alerts.

With Wi-Fi Calling available, all your calls go through Wi-Fi, and you’ll see “Wi-Fi” after your carrier name in the status bar.

Note: If the Wi-Fi connection is lost when you make calls, calls switch automatically to your carrier’s cellular network using VoLTE (Voice over LTE), if available and turned on. See View or change cellular data settings. (VoLTE calls also switch to Wi-Fi when a Wi-Fi connection becomes available.) Contact your carrier for feature availability.

See also

Tags: Phone, Wi-Fi
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How to find and share your Wi-Fi password on iPad

by Moses Johnson

You can find the password of the Wi-Fi network you’re currently using and see all the Wi-Fi networks and passwords you’ve previously saved. You can share the password of the Wi-Fi network you’re currently using with a nearby friend or family member.

You can also copy the password to use elsewhere. To share it, though, both devices must be within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.

Here’s how to find and share your Wi-Fi password on iPad.

Find a Wi-Fi password

  1. Go to the Passwords app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.

    If you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, its name appears at the top of the screen. You can also see all the Wi-Fi networks you’ve previously saved.

    If you don’t see Wi-Fi, tap the Sidebar button at the top of the screen.

  3. Tap a Wi-Fi network.
  4. Tap the Password field.

    To copy the password to use elsewhere, tap Copy Password.

Share your Wi-Fi network password with a nearby friend or family member

  1. Make sure your iPad (the one sharing the password) is unlocked and connected to the Wi-Fi network.
  2. Have your friend or family member go to Wi-Fi settings on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Choose the network.
  3. When a message asks if you want to share your Wi-Fi password, tap Share Password.

Note: Before you can share your Wi-Fi network password, the devices must be in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range, not using Personal Hotspot, and in each other’s contacts.

You can also go to the Wi-Fi network and tap Show Network QR Code, which friends and family can scan to join the network.

See also

Tags: Passwords, Wi-Fi
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How to connect iPad to the internet

by Emily Long

Connect your iPad to the internet by using an available Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi + Cellular models can also connect using a cellular data network when Wi-Fi isn’t available, though those steps don’t apply to a Wi-Fi only model.

You can also join a hidden network or a Personal Hotspot, and when iPad is on Wi-Fi, a blue checkmark appears next to the network name. On models that support 5G, iPad may even use 5G instead of Wi-Fi.

iPad connects in this order: the most recently used Wi-Fi network, then a Wi-Fi network you choose from the list, then your carrier’s cellular data network (Wi-Fi + Cellular models). On models that support 5G, iPad may use 5G cellular data instead of Wi-Fi. To switch back to Wi-Fi, tap the Info button next to the network name, then tap Use Wi-Fi for Internet.

The Settings screen showing available Wi-Fi networks.

Connect to a Wi-Fi network

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi and turn on Wi-Fi.

    iPad automatically joins known networks.

  3. To join a new network, do one of the following:

    • Join an available network: Tap the name of the network. If asked, enter the password.
    • Join a hidden network: Tap Other. Then enter the name of the network, security type, and password.

When iPad is connected to Wi-Fi, you’ll see a blue checkmark next to the network name and the Wi-Fi icon at the top of the screen.

If you want to change settings for a network you’ve joined, share its password, or change how iPad joins networks, check out our guide, Manage Wi-Fi settings.

Join a Personal Hotspot

You can use the cellular connection of an iPhone or iPad with cellular service that’s sharing a Personal Hotspot.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi. Choose the name of the device sharing the Personal Hotspot.
  3. If asked, enter the password. On the device sharing the Personal Hotspot, the password is shown in the Settings app, tap Cellular Data and then tap Personal Hotspot.

You can choose whether iPad joins Personal Hotspots on its own when no Wi-Fi network is available. See our article, Set whether iPad joins Personal Hotspots automatically.

Connect to a cellular network if Wi-Fi isn’t available

On Wi-Fi + Cellular models, iPad automatically connects to your carrier’s cellular data network if a Wi-Fi network isn’t available. If iPad doesn’t connect, check the following:

  1. Verify that your SIM is activated and unlocked. See Set up cellular service.
  2. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  3. Tap Cellular Data and then verify that Cellular Data is turned on.

Use Connectivity Assist on iPad

With Connectivity Assist on, Wi-Fi + Cellular models of iPad use cellular data along with Wi-Fi to keep your internet connection dependable if Wi-Fi is weak, busy, or not connected to the internet. Turn Connectivity Assist off, and iPad sticks to Wi-Fi only when it’s connected to Wi-Fi networks, even if the connection is weak or busy.

Note: Connectivity Assist is on if you previously had Wi-Fi Assist turned on.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Turn Connectivity Assist on or off.

iPad shows the amount of cellular data Connectivity Assist has used. To start a new count, tap Reset Data Usage.

Note: Connectivity Assist only taps into cellular data when it’s needed to keep your connection reliable. It stays off when you’re roaming internationally, when iPad is in cellular Low Power Mode or Low Data Mode, and with some apps that stream audio and video. To check your overall cellular data usage, go to the Settings app and tap Cellular Data.

See also

Tags: cellular, Wi-Fi
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How to manage Wi-Fi settings on iPad

by Chris Smith

After your iPad joins a Wi-Fi network, you can change settings for that network, share its password with another nearby device, and choose how iPad joins new Wi-Fi networks and nearby Personal Hotspots.

You can forget a network, use Low Data Mode, and turn on a private Wi-Fi address, which helps reduce tracking of your iPad across networks. You can also hide your IP address from known trackers. You can’t share a password unless the other device is nearby, though.

Manage settings for Wi-Fi and hotspots

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, tap the Info button, and do any of the following:
    • Forget the network: Tap Forget This Network.
    • Use Low Data Mode: Turn on Low Data Mode to help reduce iPad’s data usage on the network.
    • Use a private Wi-Fi address: Turn on Private Wi-Fi Address to help reduce tracking of your iPad across different Wi-Fi networks.
    • Limit IP address tracking: Turn on Limit IP Address Tracking to hide your IP address from known trackers.
    • Use cellular data in addition to Wi-Fi: Turn on Use Connectivity Assist. See Use Connectivity Assist.
    • Configure DNS, HTTP Proxy, and other network settings: Tap a setting, then enter the details.

Share a Wi-Fi password

While it’s connected to a Wi-Fi network, your iPad can pass along the Wi-Fi password to another nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

  1. Make sure your iPad is unlocked, connected to the Wi-Fi network, and signed in to your Apple Account.
  2. Make sure of the following: the person you’re with is signed in to their Apple Account on their device, they’re in your contacts list, and their device is nearby.
  3. On your contact’s device, choose the Wi-Fi network.
  4. On your iPad, wait for the Wi-Fi Password notification to appear. Tap Share Password.

Set whether iPad asks to join networks

Your iPad automatically joins known networks. With no known network in range, iPad can notify you when other networks are available.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, then tap Ask to Join Networks.
  3. Choose Off, Notify, or Ask.

Set whether iPad joins Personal Hotspots automatically

Without an available Wi-Fi network, iPad can connect to a nearby Personal Hotspot on another device signed in to your Apple Account.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, then tap Auto-Join Hotspot.
  3. Choose Never, Ask to Join, or Automatic.

See also

Tag: Wi-Fi
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How to connect Apple Watch to a Wi-Fi network

by Emily Long

Connect Apple Watch to a compatible Wi-Fi network so you can use many of its features even when you don’t have your iPhone with you.

It works with 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz networks, but not captive networks that require logins, subscriptions, or profiles. When it’s on Wi-Fi instead of your iPhone, you’ll see the Wi-Fi icon at the top of Control Center. You can also use a private network address and disconnect from Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi networks compatible with Apple Watch

  • 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz
  • A network that your iPhone previously used while connected to Apple Watch

Note: Apple Watch won’t connect to public networks that require logins, subscriptions, or profiles, also called captive networks. These can be free or pay networks at places like businesses, schools, dorms, apartments, hotels, and stores.

Connect to a compatible Wi-Fi network

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Touch and hold the Wi-Fi button and tap the name of a compatible Wi-Fi network.
  3. If the network requires a password, enter the password or tap the Password button. Choose a password from the list.
  4. Tap Join.

The Wi-Fi icon at the top of Control Center means Apple Watch is connected to a Wi-Fi network rather than your iPhone.

Use a private network address on Apple Watch

To help protect your privacy, Apple Watch uses a unique private network address, called a media access control (MAC) address, on each Wi-Fi network it joins, Apple says. Using a private address helps reduce tracking of your Apple Watch across different Wi-Fi networks.

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Touch and hold the Wi-Fi button. Then tap the name of the network you joined.
  3. Tap Private Wi-Fi Address and then choose Off, Fixed, or Rotating.

    Important: For better privacy, choose Fixed or Rotating for all networks that support a private address.

Some networks can’t use a private address, like ones that provide parental controls or need to identify Apple Watch as authorized to join. For those, you can stop using a private address.

Disconnect from Wi-Fi

Control Center lets you temporarily disconnect from a Wi-Fi network, and if your Apple Watch has a cellular plan, an available cellular connection can take over.

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Wi-Fi button.

    “Disconnected” appears at the top of the screen.

Apple Watch temporarily disconnects from the Wi-Fi network. If you have an Apple Watch with cellular, the cellular connection activates if you have coverage. When you leave and later return to the place where you were connected to Wi-Fi, Apple Watch automatically joins that network again unless you’ve forgotten it on your iPhone.

Quick tip: Touch and hold the Wi-Fi button in Control Center for quick access to Wi-Fi settings on Apple Watch.

Forget a network

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Touch and hold the Wi-Fi button, then tap the name of the network.
  3. Tap Forget This Network.

Rejoining that network later means you’ll reenter its password, if it requires one.

See also

Tag: Wi-Fi
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How to use a private network address on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

To help protect your privacy, your iPhone uses a unique private network address, called a media access control (MAC) address, on each Wi-Fi network it joins.

If a network can’t use a private address, like to provide parental controls or to identify your iPhone as authorized to join, you can stop using one for that network. Keeping a private address on helps limit how your iPhone is tracked across different Wi-Fi networks, though.

Turn a private address off for a network

  1. Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Then tap the Settings button for a network.
  2. Turn Private Address off.

Important: For better privacy, leave Private Address turned on for all networks that support it. Using a private address helps reduce tracking of your iPhone across different Wi-Fi networks.

Tag: Wi-Fi
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How to manage Wi-Fi settings on iPhone

by Abigail Shilets

After your iPhone joins a Wi-Fi network, you can change settings for that network, share its password with another nearby device, and choose how iPhone joins new Wi-Fi networks and nearby Personal Hotspots.

You can forget a network, use Low Data Mode, and turn on a private Wi-Fi address, which helps reduce tracking of your iPhone across networks. You can also hide your IP address from known trackers. You can’t share a password unless the other device is nearby, though.

Change settings for the connected network

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, tap the Info button, and do any of the following:
    • Forget the network: Tap Forget This Network.
    • Use Low Data Mode: Turn on Low Data Mode to help reduce iPhone’s data usage on the network.
    • Use a private Wi-Fi address: Turn on Private Wi-Fi Address to help reduce tracking of your iPhone across different Wi-Fi networks.
    • Limit IP address tracking: Turn on Limit IP Address Tracking to hide your IP address from known trackers.
    • Use cellular data in addition to Wi-Fi: Turn on Use Connectivity Assist.
    • Configure DNS, HTTP Proxy, and other network settings: Tap a setting, then enter the details.

Share a Wi-Fi password

When your iPhone is on a Wi-Fi network, you can share the Wi-Fi password with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby.

  1. Make sure your iPhone is unlocked, connected to the Wi-Fi network, and signed in to your Apple Account.
  2. Make sure of the following: the person you’re with is signed in to their Apple Account on their device, they’re in your contacts list, and their device is nearby.
  3. On your contact’s device, choose the Wi-Fi network.
  4. On your iPhone, wait for the Wi-Fi Password notification to appear. Then tap Share Password.

Set whether iPhone asks to join networks

iPhone automatically joins known networks. When none are in range, iPhone can let you know that other networks are available.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, then tap Ask to Join Networks.
  3. Choose Off, Notify, or Ask.

Set whether iPhone joins Personal Hotspots automatically

With no Wi-Fi network available, iPhone can connect to a nearby Personal Hotspot on another device that’s signed in to your Apple Account.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi, then tap Auto-Join Hotspot.
  3. Choose Never, Ask to Join, or Automatic.
Tag: Wi-Fi
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How to find and share your Wi-Fi password on iPhone

by Abigail Shilets

You can find the password of the Wi-Fi network you’re currently using and see all the Wi-Fi networks and passwords you’ve previously saved. You can share the password of the Wi-Fi network you’re currently using with a nearby friend or family member.

All of them are in the Wi-Fi section of the Passwords app, where you can also copy a password to use elsewhere.

Here’s how to find and share your Wi-Fi password on iPhone.

Find a Wi-Fi password

  1. Open the Passwords app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi. If you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, its name appears at the top of the screen. You can also see all the Wi-Fi networks you’ve previously saved.
  3. Tap a Wi-Fi network.
  4. Tap the Password field.

To copy the password to use elsewhere, tap Copy Password.

Share your Wi-Fi network password with a nearby friend or family member

  1. Make sure your iPhone (the one sharing the password) is unlocked and connected to the Wi-Fi network.
  2. Have your friend of family member go to Wi-Fi settings on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac and then choose the network.
  3. When a message asks if you want to share your Wi-Fi password, tap Share Password.

Note: To share your Wi-Fi network password, devices need to be within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range, can’t be using Personal Hotspot, and have to be added to each other’s contacts. Another option: Go to the Wi-Fi network, tap Show Network QR Code, and let friends and family scan it to join the network.

Tag: Wi-Fi
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