iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Understanding subscription Wi-Fi networks
Summary
Subscription Wi-Fi networks are public Wi-Fi networks requiring a subscription or payment to use. Subscription Wi-Fi networks are often found at coffee shops, Internet cafes, airports, and other public locations that don't offer free Wi-Fi networks. In some countries, they are sponsored and maintained by wireless carriers (for example, AT&T wireless hotspots in Starbucks locations).
When using iOS 3 or later, your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch can remember the Wi-Fi networks to which you subscribe. It will automatically connect and log in to the Wi-Fi network when you are in range.
Products Affected
iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
Joining a Subscription Wi-Fi Network
- When you are in a location that offers a subscription Wi-Fi network, locate and join the network on your device.
- A login screen should appear on the device. If it does not, open Safari and try to load a webpage.
Note: Some subscription Wi-Fi networks will not display the login screen. If the screen does not appear, check the webpage that loads in Safari for instructions. - On the login screen, select the appropriate option to log in to the subscription Wi-Fi service. Options vary depending on the subscription Wi-Fi provider. Here's an example:
![[Log In Screenshot]](http://km.support.apple.com/library/APPLE/APPLECARE_ALLGEOS/HT3867/en_US/HT3867-01_iphoneos31_log-in_en_001.png)
- After completing the login process, you can access the Internet.
Fees and other charges may apply when using subscription Wi-Fi networks. Contact the network provider for more information.
Wi-Fi Auto-Join
Your device remembers the network and login information so you can automatically reconnect to that subscription Wi-Fi network whenever you are in range.
If you don't want your device to automatically join the subscription Wi-Fi network, you can disable the Auto-Join behavior in by tapping the chevron next to the subscription Wi-Fi network name:
![[Wi-Fi Networks Screenshot]](http://km.support.apple.com/library/APPLE/APPLECARE_ALLGEOS/HT3867/en_US/HT3867-02_iphoneos31_wi-fi-networks_en_001.png)
Note: If you exit the login screen without completing the login process, Auto-Join for that network is automatically disabled. If your device does not automatically join a subscription Wi-Fi network as expected, check to ensure the Auto-Join setting is enabled. Some subscription Wi-Fi networks may not support Auto-Join, and require you to log in to the network each time.
Additional Information
If your device is unable to submit the information at the login screen presented in Safari, please do the following:
- Tap Settings > Safari > AutoFill and ensure that AutoFill is off for Names and Passwords.
Note: iOS devices sold in China may use the term Wireless LAN (WLAN) instead of Wi-Fi. Not all China iPhone models support WLAN; see this article for more information.
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