iOS 26 Update Causing Wi-Fi Problems on iPhone 17 and 17 Pro?

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Apple has been making headlines with the launch of its iPhone 17 series, which saw a surge in demand that benefits both Apple and carriers. Despite the positive attention, users are reporting ongoing issues with their new devices, particularly problems with Wi-Fi connections.

### iPhone 17 Users Are Reporting Wi-Fi Issues – Here Is What is Really Going On

While the iPhone 17 models have garnered significant interest due to strong sales in the first weekend, Apple’s latest lineup has not been without hiccups. Early adopters of the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, Pro Max, and even the iPhone Air are experiencing intermittent Wi-Fi dropouts every time they unlock their phones. This results in brief cycles of disconnections followed by reconnections.

Many users have expressed frustration on online forums like Reddit and asked about potential workarounds at Apple Support pages. The issues extend beyond just Wi-Fi; some users report problems with Bluetooth and Wireless CarPlay as well. It appears that the issue is triggered when wearing an unlocked Apple Watch, and locking the wearable or turning off its Bluetooth feature can noticeably reduce dropouts.

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October 8, 2025

### So, Why Is This Happening?

Apple has replaced Broadcom chips with its in-house N1 chip for this year’s iPhone 17 series, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. This significant shift was intended to enhance the phones’ performance. However, it seems most likely that the issue stems from the iOS 26 software update or firmware interactions rather than hardware problems, as some users have observed improvements with iOS 26.1 beta.

### Some Fixes You Can Try

If you are one of the affected users, here are some workarounds that might help:

– **Update to iOS 26.1 Beta**: If you’re comfortable running a beta version, this update has reportedly improved Wi-Fi stability.

– **Lock Your Apple Watch**: Simply locking your Apple Watch can reduce intermittent dropouts.

– **Change Wi-Fi Settings**: Disabling MLO (Multi-Link Operation) or splitting the Wi-Fi bands into separate SSIDs might help avoid glitches.

– **Use Wired CarPlay**: Plugging in with a USB cable made the connection stable for some users, as Wireless CarPlay relies on Wi-Fi.

While these solutions can alleviate the issue for many iPhone 17 users, it is not uncommon for new iPhones to experience problems linked to software rather than hardware. If you have been experiencing Wi-Fi cutouts, know that you are not alone, and Apple could release a fix sooner than expected.