How can I create a shortcut for hidden Wi-Fi networks on iPhone 14 Pro Max?

The WiFi at work is a hidden network with a MAC filter (for which I whitelisted my original MAC address) and I do have the SSID and password, yet my phone since iOS 17 and now on iOS18 along with other colleagues iPhones, always seem to forget the network, so basically I have to do a manual login every few days to get access.


Wondering of there is a shortcut that can automate going to WiFi setting and choosing "Other...", and entering the SSID and password for me on single click shortcut.


Or may be a solution so the phone won't forget the network every few days?




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 2:49 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 8:52 PM

The answer is going to be more complicated than it may seem. Let me try to answer it as follows: Your questions (Phrase By Phrase) are replicated below by underlining and making them italics. My answer is adjacent to each.


  1. The WiFi at work is a hidden network: Hidden networks often trigger more frequent MAC address changes, especially if the phone struggles to maintain the connection.
  2. With a MAC filter (for which I whitelisted my original MAC address):
    1. Your IT team can whitelist both the device’s permanent MAC address and the fixed Private Wi-Fi MAC address.
    2. If a Private Wi-Fi Address is enabled, iOS might rotate or reset the MAC under certain conditions, causing re-authentication failures.
    3. If your IT system allows
      1. Multiple MAC addresses per user, they can whitelist both to ensure connectivity even if the Private Wi-Fi Address is toggled on/off.
      2. One MAC per user, you should disable Private Wi-Fi Address to use your real MAC consistently. (Some enterprise networks force Private Wi-Fi Address on, so check if that’s happening.)
  3. I do have the SSID and password: This is good, keep it handy
  4. always seem to forget the network, so basically I have to do a manual login every few days to get access.: This is a common issue with hidden Wi-Fi networks and MAC filtering on iOS. iPhones tend to "forget" hidden networks more frequently because they don't broadcast their SSID, and the MAC randomization feature can also cause connection issues.
  5. Wondering if there is a shortcut that can automate going to the WiFi setting and choosing "Other...", and entering the SSID and password for me on single click shortcut. I did not find anything under the Shortcuts App that would do this.
    1. When I searched for the keyword "WiFi" there were only three options
      1. Get current IP Address
      2. Get Network Details
      3. Set WiFi (On/Off)
  6. Or may be a solution so the phone won't forget the network every few days?: Hidden SSIDs do not add security and often cause connection instability. If possible, ask IT to broadcast the SSID but keep it secured via MAC filtering.





Possible Fixes:

  1. Disable Private Wi-Fi Address:
    1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap on your work network, and turn off Private Wi-Fi Address.
    2. Since you’ve whitelisted a specific MAC address, make sure the phone is using the correct one.
  2. Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist:
    1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Assist and toggle it off.
    2. Sometimes, this setting can interfere with connecting to hidden networks.
  3. Ensure iPhone Saves the Network Properly:
    1. After manually entering the SSID and password, make sure Auto-Join is enabled.
    2. If the issue persists, try Reset Network Settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings).
  4. Ask IT to Consider Broadcasting the SSID: Hidden SSIDs do not add security and often cause connection instability. If possible, ask IT to broadcast the SSID but keep it secured via MAC filtering.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 11, 2025 8:52 PM in response to SabryMD

The answer is going to be more complicated than it may seem. Let me try to answer it as follows: Your questions (Phrase By Phrase) are replicated below by underlining and making them italics. My answer is adjacent to each.


  1. The WiFi at work is a hidden network: Hidden networks often trigger more frequent MAC address changes, especially if the phone struggles to maintain the connection.
  2. With a MAC filter (for which I whitelisted my original MAC address):
    1. Your IT team can whitelist both the device’s permanent MAC address and the fixed Private Wi-Fi MAC address.
    2. If a Private Wi-Fi Address is enabled, iOS might rotate or reset the MAC under certain conditions, causing re-authentication failures.
    3. If your IT system allows
      1. Multiple MAC addresses per user, they can whitelist both to ensure connectivity even if the Private Wi-Fi Address is toggled on/off.
      2. One MAC per user, you should disable Private Wi-Fi Address to use your real MAC consistently. (Some enterprise networks force Private Wi-Fi Address on, so check if that’s happening.)
  3. I do have the SSID and password: This is good, keep it handy
  4. always seem to forget the network, so basically I have to do a manual login every few days to get access.: This is a common issue with hidden Wi-Fi networks and MAC filtering on iOS. iPhones tend to "forget" hidden networks more frequently because they don't broadcast their SSID, and the MAC randomization feature can also cause connection issues.
  5. Wondering if there is a shortcut that can automate going to the WiFi setting and choosing "Other...", and entering the SSID and password for me on single click shortcut. I did not find anything under the Shortcuts App that would do this.
    1. When I searched for the keyword "WiFi" there were only three options
      1. Get current IP Address
      2. Get Network Details
      3. Set WiFi (On/Off)
  6. Or may be a solution so the phone won't forget the network every few days?: Hidden SSIDs do not add security and often cause connection instability. If possible, ask IT to broadcast the SSID but keep it secured via MAC filtering.





Possible Fixes:

  1. Disable Private Wi-Fi Address:
    1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap on your work network, and turn off Private Wi-Fi Address.
    2. Since you’ve whitelisted a specific MAC address, make sure the phone is using the correct one.
  2. Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist:
    1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Assist and toggle it off.
    2. Sometimes, this setting can interfere with connecting to hidden networks.
  3. Ensure iPhone Saves the Network Properly:
    1. After manually entering the SSID and password, make sure Auto-Join is enabled.
    2. If the issue persists, try Reset Network Settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings).
  4. Ask IT to Consider Broadcasting the SSID: Hidden SSIDs do not add security and often cause connection instability. If possible, ask IT to broadcast the SSID but keep it secured via MAC filtering.


Feb 12, 2025 2:34 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thanks for the excellent situation analysis, yet regarding the suggested fixes:


Disable Private Wi-Fi Address: Done from day one, never used a private one on this network

Turn Off Wi-Fi Assist: was never on

Ensure iPhone Saves the Network Properly: it does, i know that because this issue happens may be twice a week or so, not everyday, so some days it would keep connecting every day for 3-4 days in a row, and also never lost the connection during the day, even when moving from one hotspot to another or even if toggling WiFi on and off right after connecting.

Reset Network Settings: done it was happening on my iPhone 11 Pro Max and now on the 14 ProMax


Ask IT to Consider Broadcasting the SSID: yeah that was my first thought, totally rejected by IT for security reasons, and they wouldn't listen to me, I'm only a doctor here.



Thanks anyway..



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How can I create a shortcut for hidden Wi-Fi networks on iPhone 14 Pro Max?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.