Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

magicMac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 13, 2010
1,013
428
UK
It appears that, by design, wifi assist in iOS 9 does not work while data roaming. Is there a way to fool the phone into thinking it's not roaming so that the feature does work ? For instance, one might have access to their home data allowance while roaming.
 

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
Are you trying not to use WiFi and use roaming data instead for some reason?
 

magicMac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 13, 2010
1,013
428
UK
Are you trying not to use WiFi and use roaming data instead for some reason?

No. Wifi assist is a feature of iOS 9 that uses mobile data when the connected wifi network is not working properly. Could be as simple as the DSL connection dropping or maintenance by the ISP.
 

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
No. Wifi assist is a feature of iOS 9 that uses mobile data when the connected wifi network is not working properly. Could be as simple as the DSL connection dropping or maintenance by the ISP.
Right, I understand what it is. I was trying to figure out what you were asking as it seemed to me that you were trying to do the opposite essentially (at least based on the way I read the OP).

That said, there aren't really any tweaks to WiFi Assist--it's either enabled (and works under the conditions that Apple specified), or it's disabled (and simply doesn't apply).
 

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
No. Wifi assist is a feature of iOS 9 that uses mobile data when the connected wifi network is not working properly. Could be as simple as the DSL connection dropping or maintenance by the ISP.

There is criteria that need to be met for wifi assist. "Not working properly" might not meet all that criteria if say for example you have strong wifi reception.

The icon at the top will also switch to cellular.

Comcast has been finicky for me a week or so ago but I still got "can not contact server" errors.
 

magicMac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 13, 2010
1,013
428
UK
There is criteria that need to be met for wifi assist. "Not working properly" might not meet all that criteria if say for example you have strong wifi reception.

The icon at the top will also switch to cellular.

Comcast has been finicky for me a week or so ago but I still got "can not contact server" errors.

That is incorrect. If you watch the WWDC session on the feature, you will know that wifi assist works by waiting for reply traffic. If there is no response within the timeout period, then a second connection is started over cellular.
 

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
That is incorrect. If you watch the WWDC session on the feature, you will know that wifi assist works by waiting for reply traffic. If there is no response within the timeout period, then a second connection is started over cellular.

All you need to do is goto Apple webpage and read for yourself.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205296

"When Wi-Fi Assist is activated, you'll see the cellular data icon in the status bar on your device."

Or you can intentionally cripple your wifi and watch it not work even if you have good signal. (I get about 10mbs LTE off wifi)

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

Plus, aren't you the one that is having problems making it work the way you claim it works?

Seems odd to me, I am curious though link WWDC with a time stamp.
 

magicMac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 13, 2010
1,013
428
UK
All you need to do is goto Apple webpage and read for yourself.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205296

"When Wi-Fi Assist is activated, you'll see the cellular data icon in the status bar on your device."

Or you can intentionally cripple your wifi and watch it not work even if you have good signal. (I get about 10mbs LTE off wifi)

View attachment 609508

View attachment 609509

Plus, aren't you the one that is having problems making it work the way you claim it works?

Seems odd to me, I am curious though link WWDC with a time stamp.

No I never claimed I was having "problems" with wifi assist. Maybe you should read the first post again. It does not work when roaming, by design (not my "claim"), and I was looking for a workaround. I would still recommend you watch the WWDC session.
 

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
No I never claimed I was having "problems" with wifi assist. Maybe you should read the first post again. It does not work when roaming, by design (not my "claim"), and I was looking for a workaround. I would still recommend you watch the WWDC session.

Again, do you have a time in WWDC? I skimmed it but can't find anything that can be misconstrued any differently than Apple described it like I linked above.
 

magicMac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 13, 2010
1,013
428
UK
Again, do you have a time in WWDC? I skimmed it but can't find anything that can be misconstrued any differently than Apple described it like I linked above.

Not the keynote. The session. You will find it on developer.apple.com or using the WWDC app. It's session 719. Also talks about other enhancements to the networking in iOS and about IPv6 being mandatory for new app submissions.

I just wish there was was another switch to enable wifi assist while roaming because it's a great feature and within Europe we don't pay so much for data roaming. I will send feedback to Apple.

Also, by the way, the knowledge base article you linked also mentions at the bottom "Wi-Fi Assist will not automatically switch to cellular if you're data roaming", so it's all well and good linking the knowledge base article but you haven't actually read it, since you're still claiming that I've "misconstrued" something.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: robpow

cynics

macrumors G4
Jan 8, 2012
11,959
2,156
Edit : nvm retracted.

I'm happy you were able to resolve your problem. It doesn't appear there is a work around.

I feel there is a disconnect in our topics. Even when I'm not data roaming (like I pictured above) their is criteria that needs to be met before wifi assist works. This is why I linked the article, and posted evidence of that behavior from my iPhone. I apologize if me saying misconstrued hurt your feelings, that wasnt my intention.

Would have saved us a lot of time if I would have read the bottom of that article though, got me there...
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.