Most of us connect to an unsecured network at some point. Places like hotels, airports, local and national coffee shops and cafes like Starbucks, university networks, hospitals, and medical centers, and even some businesses, including the Apple Store, all offer unsecured access to WiFi networks. But sometimes, your iPhone will not join an unsecured network (s)!
After updating to the latest iOS, quite a few of our readers report difficulties when trying to connect to ANY unsecured wireless network. They see a warning that the network is not secure and cannot bypass it!
Others report being able to connect but only briefly! Following an iOS update, their devices connect to the unsecured WiFi network but then almost immediately, the connection drops out.
Your current iOS, like previous iOS versions, should still connect to unsecured networks with a security warning that your connection is not secure.
iOS displays warnings like unsecured network on networks that do not enable WPA encryption or higher.
Receiving this error should not prevent you from connecting to ANY network. It’s informational, so you know that your data can be intercepted.
Fixes for iPhone Can’t Connect to Unsecured Network
After trying to connect to the unsecured network, immediately open Safari and look for a login page followed by a welcome page. Even without a password requirement, you may need to tick a box accepting terms to get access
Try forgetting the network, then try connecting to it again. Go to Settings > WiFi > Select the Unsecured Network > Forget This Network
Update Safari’s Settings. Go to Settings > Safari. Find the setting “Ask Websites Not to Track Me” and turn it on. Then try again to connect that unsecured network
Try turning on Airplane Mode before connecting and see if that helps. Find Airplane Mode in Control Center or in the Settings App
Reset your network settings. Open Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This action removes any stored WiFi passwords for all saved networks, so if you don’t know your passwords, be mindful before proceeding
Disable Location Services for WiFi System Services
Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services
Tap System Services
Locate Wi-Fi Networking and toggle it off
Change IP settings
Settings > WiFi > Select Network
Go to “Configure DNS” within the network you are trying to connect to and switch it to “Manual” and add in any IP address
Attempt to log in. This action fails, however, the WiFi network remains open
Return to your network settings and delete the “Manual” IP address you just entered
Attempt to open any website, and it should redirect you to the login page for that network
Change DNS Settings
Use Google’s Public DNS settings of 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 instead of the automatic DNS
Use a Different Browser
If you still cannot connect to unsecured wireless network, some folks report that just changing from Safari to Chrome or Firefox fixed the issue for them.
Make sure that you first disable Auto-Join and Auto-Login before opening a browser session
Go to Settings > WiFi > Select the Unsecured Network. Then tap the “i” next to that WiFi network you’re trying to login to and toggle OFF both “Auto-Join” and “Auto-Login.”
Open Firefox and type in the address for that WiFi network’s login page or simply type in “captive.apple.com” into the search bar. A message lets you know that this is an unsecured network. Tap “visit site anyway.” Now log in to that WiFi network
Reader Tips
After you connect to wifi, open Safari and the wifi network’s auto-login page should appear. Just fill in your ID and password or check a box that you agree to the terms and conditions
Download the Chrome browser. Then, after connecting to WiFi, open Chrome and type in login.com. You should see the login page for the available wifi network. Tap accept to connect
Go to Settings > WiFi and find the network you want to connect to. Tap on the small, blue “i” to the very right. Scroll down to Configure DNS and tap Manual. Under DNS SERVERS, enter 192.1.1.1 and tap Save in the top-right corner. Now, wait 2-3 minutes until the WiFi icon appears in the top-left. Once the WiFi icon appears, go back to those DNS SERVERS and remove your entry (192.1.1.1) and select Automatic and save again. Next, open a browser session (usually Safari) and type in an address. If you see a warning about an unsafe connection or invalid certificate, tap on Advanced and use the browser. If requested, tap accept if you get an acknowledgment page
Ask your IT department or help desk to add a new security profile for whatever iOS you’re using
Open Safari and type in captive.apple.com and it should open up the login page for that WiFi Network and allow you to join
What worked for me was manually setting up my DNS
Open Settings > WiFi > tap on the “i” next to the unsecured network you want to join
Forget the network
Find that network again and click the “i” again
Choose configure DNS
Click Manual > Add Server > Type in 192.1.1.1 and SAVE
Join the network again
Wait for the WiFi icon to show up on-screen
Click the “i” again
Choose configure DNS again
Delete the Manual Server you just added
Choose Automatic then SAVE
Tap on the i icon next to the unsecured network name and then tap on the “Learn more about recommended settings for WiFi…” text under the Unsecured Network section. Once you see this info, everything works fine!
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For iphone, additional to what is mentioned on this page, to also toggle Private Address “OFF”. Then open safari/chrome and go to captive.apple.com. It should either show “success” by auto connecting, or prompt (with proper page loaded now) for a password login. This worked for me.
Same issue for my Mac as well because their wifi password & settings are sync-ed. After i turned private address OFF on my iphone, i restarted my mac and everything worked automatically.
This problem caused me much difficulty that occurred when I had bought a train ticket over the internet. When I was required to show it before boarding(in Spain) I could not exhibit the pdf sent to me by email.
Thanks for making it difficult to travel.
Hi, I was wondering what you would recommend I could learn to get the basics for networking /security. I currently am slightly familiar with cmd.exe but having trouble with power shell and still new to mac. I was thinking maybe there is a game or some exercises that I could do to help me learn. Thank you.
I had to disable “Check for Apple Pay” in Settings – Safari. My guess is that Apple Pay wants/requires a secure network. I get it, many people aren’t smart enough to not use their credit card on an unsecured network but they could be more helpful about it.
Hello!
I downloaded the new iOS software and I tried to follow the steps you provided above to connect and it still wont work. I always had to connect manually before and had to hit the accept tab for the Wifi to connect and now that wont pop up at all! I work at a hospital and my co-worker is having the same problem after the new download.
Please help….
I appreciate the help. I never thought connecting to my new drone was going to be this difficult (!) once I got another family member’s iPhone that actually had the necessary 5G capability. All I want to do is test the camera out. Seriously, Apple needs to add a “Yes, this is my drone – let me on…” toggle to simplify things. 😉
My wife’s iPhone exhibited the “unable to connect to unsecured …” message recently at several local hospitals in the past few weeks.
Thanks to Google, and no thanks to the Cupertino, I discovered that there are several “workarounds” from other users for this problem.
My comment here is why has Apple not acknowledged this fault yet or corrected what I consider a Sev 2 MR (Pardon the Bell Labs speak!).
How long has this problem been known?
IMNSHO, It appears that Apple is taking a “head in the sand” approach to this design failure.
Is the strategy to ignore it and hopefully the Apple aficionados will sort it out by themselves?
This episode has been yet another nail in the Apple coffin.
My wife, a casual user and previous Apple fan is now seriously considering joining the Google faithful based on many such reprehensible blunders from Apple.
Recently tried mutiple tips above while we were at a hotel.. the only one that worked was the following steps:
“Change DNS SettingsUse Google’s Public DNS settings of 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 instead of the automatic DNS
Go to Settings > WiFi > Select the Unsecured Network.
Open Firefox (safari worked for me) and type in the address for that WiFi network’s login page or simply type in “captive.apple.com” into the search bar.”
Have you tried forgetting the network then restarting and joining that network again? Also, temporarily toggle off Auto-Join and see if that makes any difference.
If this happened just after updating to iOS 12 or a version of iOS 12.x.x, it’s possible that your workplace requires a security profile. Your phone may need a new security profile for iOS 12–talk to your IT Support Team to find out if this is a requirement.
Another option is to connect to the network and then immediately open the Safari App. Look for the wifi network’s auto-login page to appear. Enter in your ID and password, if needed, or check a box that you agree to the terms and conditions.
If that doesn’t work, try using Chrome or Another browser. After connecting to the WiFi network, open Chrome and type in login.com in the web address bar.
Another option is to try and disable Location Services
Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services
Tap System Services
Locate Wi-Fi Networking and toggle it off
The answer in my case: Boingo WiFi Finder. It was installed and actually PREVENTED the log on screen. Two ways to go: either use the app. Or, much better: delete it ( it is called Wi-Finder, in the app listing). It is a completely useless app anyhow, and it made me waste hours, before I found this out. I deleted the app: now everything works like a charm.
Update Safari’s Settings. Go to Settings > Safari. Find the setting “Ask Websites Not to Track Me” and turn it on. Then try again to connect that unsecured network
Hi, having major trouble trying to connect on an unsecured open wifi at work. I tried all the steps above with no luck. Once I changed the DNS to manual with 192.1.1.1 and connect again, no wifi symbol appears top left corner of screen despite waiting for ages. Therefore, the phone is not being tricked.
Can someone please help, would greatly appreciate it?
Colette says
Thanks for this comprehensive guide attempting to fix a damned annoying problem!! Was considering ditching Apple phone altogether!
Jo says
For iphone, additional to what is mentioned on this page, to also toggle Private Address “OFF”. Then open safari/chrome and go to captive.apple.com. It should either show “success” by auto connecting, or prompt (with proper page loaded now) for a password login. This worked for me.
Same issue for my Mac as well because their wifi password & settings are sync-ed. After i turned private address OFF on my iphone, i restarted my mac and everything worked automatically.
Hope this helps!
Billy says
SOLUTION : open a tab and type captive.apple.com
Thanks to Han for posting this earlier
imre weitzner says
This problem caused me much difficulty that occurred when I had bought a train ticket over the internet. When I was required to show it before boarding(in Spain) I could not exhibit the pdf sent to me by email.
Thanks for making it difficult to travel.
Carlos Dorado says
Hi, I was wondering what you would recommend I could learn to get the basics for networking /security. I currently am slightly familiar with cmd.exe but having trouble with power shell and still new to mac. I was thinking maybe there is a game or some exercises that I could do to help me learn. Thank you.
Sour Apples says
I had to disable “Check for Apple Pay” in Settings – Safari. My guess is that Apple Pay wants/requires a secure network. I get it, many people aren’t smart enough to not use their credit card on an unsecured network but they could be more helpful about it.
user says
I tried this on a whim and it worked! Thank you so much for sharing!
Nikky P says
Hello!
I downloaded the new iOS software and I tried to follow the steps you provided above to connect and it still wont work. I always had to connect manually before and had to hit the accept tab for the Wifi to connect and now that wont pop up at all! I work at a hospital and my co-worker is having the same problem after the new download.
Please help….
Thank You!!!
Rob A. says
I appreciate the help. I never thought connecting to my new drone was going to be this difficult (!) once I got another family member’s iPhone that actually had the necessary 5G capability. All I want to do is test the camera out. Seriously, Apple needs to add a “Yes, this is my drone – let me on…” toggle to simplify things. 😉
Sheri Graham says
Check to make sure that “block all cookies” under your Safari settings is not checked.
John Lossin Adams says
My wife’s iPhone exhibited the “unable to connect to unsecured …” message recently at several local hospitals in the past few weeks.
Thanks to Google, and no thanks to the Cupertino, I discovered that there are several “workarounds” from other users for this problem.
My comment here is why has Apple not acknowledged this fault yet or corrected what I consider a Sev 2 MR (Pardon the Bell Labs speak!).
How long has this problem been known?
IMNSHO, It appears that Apple is taking a “head in the sand” approach to this design failure.
Is the strategy to ignore it and hopefully the Apple aficionados will sort it out by themselves?
This episode has been yet another nail in the Apple coffin.
My wife, a casual user and previous Apple fan is now seriously considering joining the Google faithful based on many such reprehensible blunders from Apple.
Han says
Recently tried mutiple tips above while we were at a hotel.. the only one that worked was the following steps:
“Change DNS SettingsUse Google’s Public DNS settings of 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 instead of the automatic DNS
Go to Settings > WiFi > Select the Unsecured Network.
Open Firefox (safari worked for me) and type in the address for that WiFi network’s login page or simply type in “captive.apple.com” into the search bar.”
Should shortly prompt to the login page
natalia veronicha says
thankyouu!! it works
Leisha says
I’ve tried every one of these options and nothing has worked.
I work at a hospital and haven’t had issues for months and suddenly the wifi stopped working with my phone a couple of weeks ago.
Would love any additional tips!
SK says
Hi Leisha,
Have you tried forgetting the network then restarting and joining that network again? Also, temporarily toggle off Auto-Join and see if that makes any difference.
If this happened just after updating to iOS 12 or a version of iOS 12.x.x, it’s possible that your workplace requires a security profile. Your phone may need a new security profile for iOS 12–talk to your IT Support Team to find out if this is a requirement.
Another option is to connect to the network and then immediately open the Safari App. Look for the wifi network’s auto-login page to appear. Enter in your ID and password, if needed, or check a box that you agree to the terms and conditions.
If that doesn’t work, try using Chrome or Another browser. After connecting to the WiFi network, open Chrome and type in login.com in the web address bar.
Another option is to try and disable Location Services
Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services
Tap System Services
Locate Wi-Fi Networking and toggle it off
Hope something helps.
Sam
Harald says
The answer in my case: Boingo WiFi Finder. It was installed and actually PREVENTED the log on screen. Two ways to go: either use the app. Or, much better: delete it ( it is called Wi-Finder, in the app listing). It is a completely useless app anyhow, and it made me waste hours, before I found this out. I deleted the app: now everything works like a charm.
Aiden says
This helped me for sure when my phone wouldn’t connect to a hotel’s network. Thanks
Richard D Currin says
Seems like a lot of trouble to fix something an “upgrade” caused.
Stick war hacked says
Update Safari’s Settings. Go to Settings > Safari. Find the setting “Ask Websites Not to Track Me” and turn it on. Then try again to connect that unsecured network
Katherine says
Lifesaver!!! Thank you
Siv says
Hi, having major trouble trying to connect on an unsecured open wifi at work. I tried all the steps above with no luck. Once I changed the DNS to manual with 192.1.1.1 and connect again, no wifi symbol appears top left corner of screen despite waiting for ages. Therefore, the phone is not being tricked.
Can someone please help, would greatly appreciate it?