Apple’s newest batch of telephones, the iPhone 17, 17 Professional, 17 Professional Max, and Air, have solely been in shops since Friday, however they’ve already been hit by complaints that Wi-Fi on the units doesn’t at all times work because it ought to. Customers throughout a variety of boards have claimed that periodically, Wi-Fi connectivity “briefly disconnects after which reconnects after they unlock the iPhone,” which may additionally trigger CarPlay to disconnect.
One thread on Apple Group (which has 42 replies, by the way, though these numbers are inflated by folks suggesting options and repeat commenters) writes: “I’ve observed that my Wi-Fi constantly was dropping out and in on setup and that my wi-fi Apple CarPlay appears to disconnect intermittently.”
A reply to that thread corroborates the problem. “CarPlay not dependable with iOS 26 and iPhone Air,” they are saying. “Wi-fi connection always dropping. Unusable.” And one other complains: “Having similar Wi-Fi points on my 17 Professional Max, Wi-Fi [drops] randomly and repeatedly with no service in any respect whereas my 16 Professional Max [works] flawlessly.”
A Redditor, in the meantime, sums up the state of affairs as “iPhone 17 Wi-Fi turns on and off each time I unlock the iPhone OR swipe down and produce up the lock display screen (Notification Middle). Moreover, Bluetooth additionally has a excessive likelihood of dropping when this occurs.”
At this stage, we solely have anecdotal proof, relatively than correct knowledge. Primarily based on the variety of studies, first noticed by MacRumors, the problem seems no less than moderately widespread, however the true frequency and the trigger are each unknown. Some complainants, for instance, say the “bug” takes impact after they’re sporting a paired Apple Watch, however with so many individuals proudly owning each an Apple Watch and a brand new iPhone, it’s inconceivable to inform if that is really an element.
Certainly, it’s potential (albeit unlikely, given the quantity and specificity of complaints) that the problem isn’t restricted to the brand new telephones, however to iOS 26, which many individuals with older telephones haven’t but put in. These with brand-new {hardware} additionally are typically extra delicate to bugs and issues, which stand out extra on a tool that’s in any other case delivering cutting-edge efficiency.
No matter whether or not it might have an effect on older telephones, Apple can be wanting into the studies and deciding whether or not it wants a repair. In truth, it might have already achieved so: some complainants report that putting in the primary beta of iOS 26.1 fixes the issue. That isn’t an possibility for all, however we’d advise these with affected telephones to maintain a watch out for the total model of iOS 26.1.
