User profile for user: Michael McMann1
Michael McMann1 Author
User level: Level 1
108 points

Intermittent connection to home broadband

iPhone 12 iOS 18.6.2


Our home router is full fibre broadband and gives a decent signal throughout the house. My partner's iPhone 15 and iPad both connect to it without issue whereas my iPhone 12 constantly defers to Mobile Data (5G) which means going into Wi-Fi Settings and re-selecting broadband before a connection is re-established which normally doesn't last anyway. Disabling Mobile Data only shows that no Wi-Fi is available even when standing by the router.


I've tried rebooting the phone or removing the SIM, but the only apparent remedy I've seen - and the least appealing - seems to be a factory reset.


I'm at wits' end and hope that someone might know how to resolve this before going to my nearest Apple Store (some distance away) and getting Genius Bar help.


Thanks in anticipation.

iPhone 12

Posted on Sep 2, 2025 05:19 AM

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User profile for user: KiltedTim
KiltedTim
User level: Level 10
220,386 points

Posted on Sep 2, 2025 06:15 AM

Remove the VPN entirely. Even when not 'active' it can interfere with normal network operation.


FYI: Using a VPN to access the internet does absolutely nothing to protect your privacy or secure your data. If you're not using a VPN for it's intended purpose, which is to connect securely to a private network such as your employer, it's doing exactly the opposite of protecting you...


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User profile for user: KiltedTim
KiltedTim
User level: Level 10
220,386 points

Sep 2, 2025 06:15 AM in response to Michael McMann1

Remove the VPN entirely. Even when not 'active' it can interfere with normal network operation.


FYI: Using a VPN to access the internet does absolutely nothing to protect your privacy or secure your data. If you're not using a VPN for it's intended purpose, which is to connect securely to a private network such as your employer, it's doing exactly the opposite of protecting you...


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User profile for user: lobsterghost1
lobsterghost1
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
175,079 points

Sep 2, 2025 06:17 AM in response to Michael McMann1

I'm willing to bet if you go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and completely remove the VPN profile and any corresponding app for your VPN, then Restart your iPhone, you'll be able to connect to Wifi.


VPN on iPhone causes connectivity issues. They are simply NOT needed on iPhone and they truly DO NOT provide the security people think they do, unless someone appreciates having their internet search activity sold to anyone willing to pay for it. DUMP the VPN completely.

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Intermittent connection to home broadband

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