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Privacy warning

Why is there a privacy warning on my network

iPad, iPadOS 15

Posted on Jun 22, 2022 11:14 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 23, 2022 8:09 AM

Tap the information ℹ️ button that usually accompanies those messages, as that can have details.


Apple devices have recently been detecting two types of issues with Wi-Fi networks. One issue involves a privacy setting being disabled, allowing the Wi-Fi network to better identify the user and particularly across networks. The other issue involves Wi-Fi networks with what Apple considers weak Wi-Fi security.


Privacy: Use private Wi-Fi addresses on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support


Weak security: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support





4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 23, 2022 8:09 AM in response to Dojoser

Tap the information ℹ️ button that usually accompanies those messages, as that can have details.


Apple devices have recently been detecting two types of issues with Wi-Fi networks. One issue involves a privacy setting being disabled, allowing the Wi-Fi network to better identify the user and particularly across networks. The other issue involves Wi-Fi networks with what Apple considers weak Wi-Fi security.


Privacy: Use private Wi-Fi addresses on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support


Weak security: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support





Jun 23, 2022 9:11 AM in response to Dojoser

As outlined by MrHoffman, you’ll need to identify the specific “warning” in order to determine what, if anything, you might need to consider with your setup…


If you are concerned about iPad warnings concerning weak security, or other elements of your WiFi setup, your WiFi network may benefit from update in either settings or improved hardware...


Your iPad is no less secure today than it was prior to the update to iPadOS14+. However, your iPad is now better able to [warn] bring to your attention security deficiencies of your WiFi network and iPad settings.


This support page will describe the more secure (recommended) settings for WiFi:

Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points – Apple Support


It is possible that your WiFi Router is too old to be (or not capable of being) configured for more secure settings. As such, you can either configure the most secure settings that your Router will support - or replace your Router with something more advanced that provides better security configuration options. 


Whilst WPA3 is the newest standard, you should aim to use WPA2 (AES-PSK) as a minimum. Some Routers seemingly continue to support the insecure/deprecated TKIP standards - even when apparently configured for WPA2 operation; TKIP will definitely cause a security warning to appear. Be aware that if you are using a WiFi network extender, these may continue to use weaker security standards - and continue to trigger a warning.


There is a also new privacy feature included within iOS/iPadOS14+ that hides your physical MAC Address - and instead uses a randomly selected Private MAC Address. This feature can be enabled/disabled on your iPhone/iPad for each configured WiFi Network. This feature also has bearing upon the appearance of Weak Security notifications.


More information about this new feature can be found here:

Use private Wi-Fi addresses in iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and watchOS 7 – Apple Support


This feature is configured for each WiFi network to which you connect:

Settings > WiFi > [Your Network Name / SSID] - tap the blue “i” icon - Private Wi-Fi Address - set to OFF or ON as required


If you are unable to employ more secure security settings on your WiFi network, you might consider replacement of your WiFi network equipment, such as your WiFi Router, with more advanced equipment. However, if the router is provided by your ISP, this may not be practical proposition. A potentially cheaper and more flexible approach might be to add an additional upstream WiFi Router, of WiFi Access Point (AP) that meets the required standards.


I hope this information provides some helpful insight into ways to resolve the WiFi Security warnings that you might observe after updating to iPadOS14/15.

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