Joining Apple devices to Wi-Fi networks
Users can configure Apple devices to join available Wi-Fi networks automatically. For Wi-Fi networks that require login credentials or other information, users can quickly access Wi-Fi settings and enter the credentials or use a configuration profile that contains the network name and login credentials. Any app on the device can access the networks seamlessly. With low power, persistent Wi-Fi connectivity, apps can use Wi-Fi networks to deliver push notifications. For example, by using configuration profiles that are pushed to a device through a mobile device management (MDM) solution, you can configure settings for wireless networks, security, proxy, Fastlane, app approval, and authentication.
iOS and iPadOS support a default VoIP service configuration as an option. This option defines the default app for audio calls for Contacts, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, Google, and LDAP payloads. For example, if Cisco Spark is defined as the default calling app for Exchange contacts, then any call from the user to another work contact defaults to using Cisco Spark unless the user decided to change the default app.
Authentication and encryption support
Apple devices support various authentication and encryption methods, including WPA, WPA2 Personal, WPA2 Enterprise, and WPA3 Personal, and WPA3 Enterprise standards. With support for 802.1X, Apple devices can be integrated into a broad range of RADIUS authentication environments. Apple devices support 802.1X wireless authentication protocols, including:
EAP-TLS
EAP-TTLS (MSCHAPv2)
EAP-FAST
EAP-AKA
EAP-SIM (carrier only)
PEAPv0 (EAP-MSCHAPv2, the most common form of PEAP)
PEAPv1 (EAP-GTC, less common and created by Cisco)
For more information, see the Apple Support article How iOS decides which wireless network to auto-join.
iOS 13 and iPadOS added support for WPA3 Enterprise (Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) Suite B) on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max or later, and iPad 7th generation or later. Consult your wireless network solution provider for details on necessary access point hardware, controller hardware, and controller code versions to deploy WPA3 Enterprise.
Important: Apple devices must have access to your wireless network and internet services for setup and configuration. You may need to configure your web proxy or firewall ports to allow all network traffic from Apple devices to Apple’s network 17.0.0.0/8. If Apple devices are still unable to access Apple activation servers, iCloud, or the App Store, see the Apple Support articles Unable to use Apple Push Notification service (APNs), macOS wireless roaming for enterprise customers, and Use Apple products on enterprise networks.