Ever since I have had my new iPhone 5c on o2 (about two months now), it's not been able to connect to any o2 WiFi hotspot. The device knows the hotspot is there and when it's connected to it, it tries to launch the o2 WiFi registration/sign on page. But every time it fails to find this page and returns just a blank (white) screen. At the top of the empty screen, with each attempt, one of a number of websites are stated, including:
- appleiphonecell.com
- thinkdifferent.us
- ibook.info
- captive.apple.com
...above the hotspot name o2 Wifi, under which are the words "Log in" and the option to "Cancel", as well, as "go back a page/go forward a page".
But nothing happens and after a while, the phone disconnects from the o2 WiFi hotspot and returns to the 3G/4G service or another hotspot network, as the phone has no problem connecting to the Cloud WiFi hotspot network, for example.
Apple have confirmed that my iPhone is working correctly as it can connect to all other WiFi networks/hotspots and reach the Internet; and had me reset my network settings to be sure.
My own Internet research has indicated this is a known issue with iPhones trying to connect to certain WiFi hotspot networks, following some changes to how iPhones behave when trying to connect to the Internet via hotspots. Below is the information I sent to the o2 WiFi helpdesk, which they totally ignored, instead telling me I should speak with Apple.
******
The problem in these cases appears to be a change that Apple made with a recent update to the iPhone iOS 7 operating system. The phone now attempts to contact up to 200 Apple "test sites" (so-called Captive Portals) that confirm to the iPhone that it's able to reach the Internet via that hotspot. Before it only tried a smaller number. It would appear that some hotspots are blocking access to these additional new sites.
Here are two links that describe the issue:
Why your Apple iOS 7 device won’t connect to the Wi-Fi network
http://www.cadincweb.com/why-your-apple-ios-7-device-wont-connect-to-the-wifi-network
The above link provides a basic statement of the known issue and one possible remedy for hotspot owners.
ios7 and captive portals-changes to apple request URL
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18891706/ios7-and-captive-portals-changes-to-apple-request-url
Here I concur with the comment made that “Having tested this myself, I can confirm the requests randomly go to appleiphonecell.com, captive.apple.com, airport.us, ibook.info among others.”
And in the link referenced in the second answer to the above:
http://forum.daviddarts.com/read.php?9,8879
…I also experience the behaviour mentioned:
“According to what I've seen, the iOS7 device seeks Success.html from as many as 200 Apple websites. If it cannot connect to those sites, it shows the tiny pseudobrowser (Log In). It is possible, at least sometimes, to tap Cancel and see an option 'Use Without Internet'. But this merely returns the user to Settings. It does not allow the user to immediately browse without Internet.”
And this:
“So far I have observed automatic connection attempts to these:
captive.apple.com
ibook.info
appleiphonecell.com
airport.us
thinkdifferent.us
itools.info”
******
Apple were unable to comment on the above when I spoke to them.
Is anyone else experiencing this problem? Have you been able to solve it?
I have found - on this o2 forum - mention of a similar issue with the original iPhone 5 devices (and iOS 6), where people commented that it was a known issue that was being addressed. Doesn't look as if that went anywhere.
The local o2 Guru at my nearest o2 shop said he had seen the same problem, but with an Android advice. Unhelpfully he said he couldn't solve that problem either and that there was nothing they could do. He then went on to say that as the o2 WiFi hotspot network was still small, I shouldn't be too inconveniened if it doesn't work. But unless you are registered o2 WiFi user, you can't access the WiFi service on the London Underground.
Someone at o2/o2 WiFi needs to take ownership of this issue and work with Apple to resolve it.
