iPhone 16 Wi-Fi drops frequently

My issue is that my iPhone 16pro max won’t connect to my pods but everything else in the house seamlessly connects to them.

(this iphone 16 pro max did as well before Xfinity upgraded the modem).

The pods never changed they stayed the same only the Xfinity modem was updated to the newest one. If I’m standing next to my XFI pod with all 3 phones, both phones will automatically connect to the pods receiving perfect connection. My iPhone 16 pro max will just disconnect from the modem and use 5G. Yes if I connect to 2.4 the modem will try to send the signal further to reach my device resulting in weak signal which defeats the purpose of the pods. Frustrating part is I know this issue is only with my 16pro max. Any of the iPads or other iPhones will connect to the pods instantly when walking by them.

if I erase the network settings and re connect to my house modem everything works find and it will connect to the pods no problem and work just right. But soon as it goes from pod back to modem it never wants to connect to the pods again.

it works fine with my netgear mesh at work in only having this issue with

Xfinity XFi Pods and my iPhone 16 pro max.

with my experience using the Google mesh, net gear mesh & XFi pods. I’ve noticed the XFi pods are far superior than the rest it’s just the issue with the 16 pro max that’s been driving me nuts for the past month.

Define "slightly further". Does this only happen at home? Have you tried connecting to other wi-fi networks, such as work, a public place like library, Starbucks, etc.? My wife has an iPhone 16, and I have an iPhone 16 Pro Max. We have not experienced any issues with our home network, which is Comcast/Xfinity.

Given the steps you describe, you have done a pretty good job of troubleshooting. Have you tried resetting network settings on the iPhones? You can try it on one and not the other if you wish to make comparisons. This will reset all wi-fi network passwords, so you will have to set that up again on the one that you reset. If that does not help and you continue to experience the wi-fi issues, I would make a Genius Bar appointment at the nearest Apple Store to have the devices examined by Apple. Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

To be honest, I gave up on using my ISP's device as my primary delivery of Wifi. I do use a Modem, but I invested in a good whole house Mesh Network, with three nodes in my home, which makes Wifi delivery strong everywhere and seamless. They aren't all that expensive and might be a better solution for your needs.

One thing you can try, which I don't think has been suggested is to reset network settings on your iPhone. You will need to know Wiif passwords as you'll have to reenter them to access Wifi you've connected to previously, but it may well be worth doing this on your iPhone.

If you'd like to give this a try:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Go to General.
3. Scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Select Reset.
5. Choose Reset Network Settings.
6. Enter your iPhone’s passcode.
7. If prompted, enter your Screen Time passcode as well.
8. Confirm by tapping Reset Network Settings again.

I had a similar problem so this just is a suggestion.

It sounds like you got a new router too. If so is your new router a single, dual, or tri-band model? If it's a single band you obviously don't have any choice. But if it's a Dual-band or Tri-band router, and it's set to something other than 2.4G then choose the 2.4 on your iPhones. The 2.4 frequency is slightly slower than the others but will give you a somewhat greater range. If that doesn't help then perhaps consider moving the router to another location or set up a wireless mesh network. Cheers.

I do not. No jailbreak or unknown apps either.

literally no change was made besides the upgrade in speed with Xfinity which resulted in getting the newer modem “XB8” but I always had the XFi pods and iPhone. When I had the 300mbps plan and the older modem it worked fine with all the XFi pods.

If this issue started when Xfinity upgraded your modem, the issue is likely with the Modem. Pogster gave you some excellent advice about using the 2.4ghz band if your modem is dual band. Did you try that?

No I don’t use a VPN. I do agree the 2.4ghz advice is a great workaround but doesn’t fix the problem. Also the 2.4 speeds are significantly slower than 5g.

I agree I feel it might be the modem since that’s the only thing that was changed. But the fact that every other device older iPhones, iPads, cameras, Tesla vehicles all run perfectly and connect back and forth from pods to modem no issue. I feel it has something to do with the IPhone. I appreciate everyone’s help.

You might want to schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and have your phone tested. But if you don't have Wifi connection issues anywhere other than at home, it's not likely your phone.

Soon as I got my xb8 modem. My iPhone 16pro max stopped connecting to my xfi pods… when I go slightly further as you stated it disconnects then says unable to connect. If I forget the modem and re enter password it connects to my pods and everything works normal but once it goes back to the XB8 modem it never is able to get back to the pods. This only happens to my 16pro max I have 5 other phones and many cameras and devices the are

connecting to the pods and everything runs normal for all

other devices.

hope someone has figured this out.

When I reset my network setting it does temporarily work normal and connects to all pods then after a little goes back to the same issue. Only my iPhone 16 pro max acts as if the pods don’t exist anymore while all other devices continue to work fine.

Do you by any chance use a VPN on your iPhone?