Still experiencing frequent Wi-Fi drops on iPhone 17 Pro Max after updating to iOS 26.0.1

I finally fixed my iPhone 17 Pro Max yesterday (was having the same issue as OP even after the update). Turns out running a VPN or having this setting toggled on is affecting the connectivity/ signal with wifi and mobile.

Delete any VPN configuration. Settings > General > VPN & device management

Hope this works for you as well…

Britcom wrote:

I hope you’re correct but to receive three phones all with the same issue is a remarkable coincidence. I’ve tried all the fixes including trying different networks to no avail. I suspect we will start to hear more about this issue as people realize there is no software fix after months of waiting.

The logical conclusion is that the problem has nothing to do with iPhone hardware or software, and almost certainly has to do with either your router or something you have installed on your iPhones.

Here’s one way to test: Back up the phone, then restore the phone to factory settings:Restore your iOS device to factory settings - Apple Support. Then, before you install anything, see if the problem still exists. If it doesn’t then the problem is caused by some 3rd party technology you have installed, such as an app that purports to “clean” your iPhone, or more likely a poorly designed VPN.

Next, try several networks in addition to your home network (Starbuck’s, local café, your public library, a mall, etc). If the problem is only on your Home network its caused by your router, not your iPhone.

drummerboy04 wrote:

Hey coffee.

I did not end up getting a new phone. I did book a Genius Bar appt and the tech performed a full restore of the phone. So essentially it removed the OS and stalled a fresh, new OS. It has probably fixed the issue about 95%. I have only had one drop from CarPlay and I’d say the amount of drops from my WiFi is similar, if not better, than my 16 pro max.

If you’re 300 miles away from an Apple Store I’d connect it to your Mac (or windows machine through iTunes) and perform a full restore. It will wipe everything from your phone. Have to setup as a new phone too. That basically did it for me 🤷‍♂️

Did you have VPN originally? Did you reinstall?

Richard Harris2 wrote:

That isn’t helpful: different network topologies and vendors have different configurations, whilst remaining compliant to 802.11 - so a product that doesn’t work in a standard environment when every other device does, has a problem.

And, to blithely tell people to delete their VPNs (not just one provider whose own implementation may be causal) is equally unhelpful, as people have real use cases for VPNs. It’s isn’t acceptable for a vendor (Apple in this case) to simply ignore the need for a feature that is explicitly supported in the OS.

Apple needs to properly acknowledge and address this.

An important and frequently overlooked fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, OS version and network that the device uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your device, then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.

Here’s more detail: VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

mystery-giz wrote:

same! this drives me crazy. I went to Apple Store, they checked and said "there is no problem on my phone". Came to home it is not working again. wifi is consistently connecting and disconnecting also cellular internet is very slow. can't watch anything or use any website. all other devices at home work well with no issues. I have tried everything like resetting network, removing vpn even I fully restored iPhone at home by myself, it didn't work too. I was hoping that was the final solution. my old 14 pro max was better!

If it works at the Apple store but not when you get home, it is likely that the problem lies with your network at home.

You also mentioned a VPN. Try deleting it entirely (turning it off can be insufficient) and testing.

Apple can however fix its devices failures that are not common mode to every other mobile device in use - IoW, anything that doesn't use an N1 chip. In terms of network configuration, I'd suggest turning off anything that's an 'unofficial' extension to the standard, such as fast roaming and band steering, and seeing if that helps. (They didn't in my case).

I’m experiencing the same issues with Wi-Fi and Cellular connectivity, as well as wireless CarPlay randomly disconnecting. I’m currently on iOS 26.0.1. The only workaround I’ve found is toggling Wi-Fi off and back on. I never encountered any of these problems on my previous iPhone 14 Pro or on any of my other devices.

I was fine on ISO 26. Since upgrading to ISO 26.0.1 although my Wifi on my Iphone 17 Pro Max shows connected I get no data through. If I put it in airplane mode and re-connect it's then fine. It's happened 2-3 times already over the last 24 hours.

My 3rd replacement iPhone 17pro in 8 weeks arrived today . Already WiFi speed is dropping. It’s disgusting that Apple can launch a premium sub standard product and not even admit they have an inherent fault. I’m convinced its hardware having tried everything else. I’ll give this one a couple of weeks in case they release further software fix and if not I’m asking for my money back. Unfortunately I sold my old 15 which worked perfectly.

wife and I just upgraded from iPhone 12 Pro Max (AT&T). Her iPhone 17 Pro Max keeps losing WiFi connection (she will be watching a movie or reel and it just stops). Settings shows ‘Not Connected’. This is happening 2-3 times per day. I have not had any issues. We are not using VPN. iOS 26.1 (23B85).

I got one of the first 17 pro’s. WiFi issues from day 1. Reset network settings and I get circa 200mb as I did on previous 14. After an hour speed drops to single figures. Been on to Apple with no success. Phone is on contract from o2. Who do I complain to?

same! this drives me crazy. I went to Apple Store, they checked and said "there is no problem on my phone". Came to home it is not working again. wifi is consistently connecting and disconnecting also cellular internet is very slow. can't watch anything or use any website. all other devices at home work well with no issues. I have tried everything like resetting network, removing vpn even I fully restored iPhone at home by myself, it didn't work too. I was hoping that was the final solution. my old 14 pro max was better!