How to Resolve WiFi Connection Issues on iPhone After iOS 26
Dealing with Wi-Fi connection issues after upgrading to iOS 26
So, I finally did the leap to iOS 26 on my iPhone, and of course, right after that, Wi-Fi started acting up. It’s like, no matter what I did, it just refused to connect or stayed stuck in “Connecting…” forever. If you’re in the same boat, know you’re not alone — this seems to be a somewhat common post-update pain point, maybe due to some compatibility hiccups or lingering network settings conflicts. Thankfully, there are a few tricks that, after some trial and error, helped me get things back to normal.
First things first: toggle Airplane Mode several times
This trick sounds almost too simple, but sometimes it’s enough to force a refresh of the network radios. Go to Settings and find Airplane Mode. Flip it on, wait a few seconds, then turn it off. Repeat this a few times, like three or four toggles, just to make sure your device gets a clean reset of its cellular and Wi-Fi connections.
If you prefer quick voice commands, you can also say, “Turn on Airplane Mode” with Siri, and then turn it off once you see the toggle switch. Honestly, this method sometimes feels faster when frustration is mounting. The reason this might work? Toggling Airplane Mode essentially resets your device’s wireless modules, which might have gotten tangled up during the update. I’ve seen it fix stubborn Wi-Fi issues more times than I can count, especially after OS updates that mess with network config.
Reconnecting Wi-Fi and checking basic settings
After toggling, head back to Settings > Wi-Fi. Try reconnecting: pick your network, re-enter your password if needed, and see if it’s willing to connect. Sometimes, just reselecting the Wi-Fi network fixes the problem. If that doesn’t work, try the old “forget the network” trick—tap the i icon next to your network and select Forget This Network. Then scan for it again and reconnect from scratch.
While you’re at it, check your router. Sometimes the issue isn’t on your device but your network. Reboot your router — unplug it for a couple of minutes, then plug it back in. If you’re feeling adventurous, log into the router’s admin panel (typically at http://192.168.1.1, though it varies by brand), and see what’s going on. Check for connected devices, error logs, or even firmware updates that might be needed.
If Wi-Fi still refuses to cooperate, try toggling mobile data on then off, just to see if your device’s restrictions or conflicts are blocking Wi-Fi. Also, check for VPNs—because, yes, VPNs can cause all sorts of network weirdness—and disable any active profiles via Settings > General > VPN. Sometimes, VPN regions matter, too—if you recently switched countries or servers, that might be throwing a wrench in things. In Settings > General > Language > Region, make sure your region is set correctly. And in your VPN app, review the server or region settings; toggling or disconnecting VPNs can often clear up Wi-Fi issues.
Reset network settings — the nuclear option
If nothing’s worked so far, the next move is resetting all your network settings. Yes, this deletes saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, cellular settings, and VPN configs but in my experience, it’s usually what finally clears out the mess. Head over to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Confirm, and your device will reboot and wipe those configs clean. Then, reconnect to your Wi-Fi afresh.
Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS 26 — sometimes, Apple rolls out minor patches soon after the main update, fixing bugs like this. You can check by going to Settings > General > About for your current software version and then update via Settings > General > Software Update if anything’s available. It took me a couple of tries to get the latest patches, so be patient with the update checking process.
Double-check restrictions and regional settings
Next, take a look at Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If these are enabled, they might be unintentionally blocking network access. Sometimes, restrictions can be overly strict or misconfigured and cause Wi-Fi to behave oddly. If you find restrictions enabled, try disabling them temporarily and testing Wi-Fi again. You’ll need the Screen Time passcode if one’s set.
Also, verify your regional setting under Settings > General > Language > Region. Mismatched or altered region settings can sometimes affect network preferences, especially if VPNs or region-specific services are involved. Make sure everything aligns with your actual location.
Getting support from Apple if it’s still broken
If all else fails, it’s probably time to get professional help. Use the Apple Support app to run diagnostics or schedule a Genius Bar appointment. They might suggest hardware checks or even deeper resets like restoring the device via iTunes or Finder (on Mac).Just remember, restoring everything wipes the device, so back up first—either to iCloud or your computer.
Wrap-up and tips
This whole ordeal—Wi-Fi not working after iOS 26—ended up being a mix of toggling, resetting, and checking restrictions. The main things to double-check are: toggle Airplane Mode several times, reconnect or forget Wi-Fi networks, reboot your router, reset network settings, ensure iOS is fully up-to-date, disable VPNs, and keep an eye on restrictions and regional settings.
Hope this helped — it took way longer than I expected to troubleshoot, but now everything’s working fine. Especially after a major update, these network quirks can be a real pain, but persistence pays off. Good luck, and don’t forget the basics!