WiFi Privacy Warning On iPhone: Encrypted DNS Traffic (Fix!)
Is your iPhone displaying a WiFi Privacy warning in iOS 15? Are you informed that the network is blocking encrypted DNS traffic? This means that other devices on the same network might track your browsing activity. This issue can be caused by a poor router configuration.
WiFi Privacy Warning In iOS 15
- To check if your iPhone or iPad is affected by this issue you have to open Settings and tap on Wi-Fi.
- Check the network that you’re currently connected to. If Privacy Warning is displayed below the name, tap the blue ‘i’ icon available next to the Wi-Fi symbol.
- The Privacy Warning is detailed at the top of the screen:
“This network is blocking encrypted DNS traffic. The names of websites and other servers your device access on this network may be monitored and recorded by other devices on this nework.”
WiFi Privacy Warning Workaround
A quick way to get rid of the warning is to disable the Private Address option, in the Wi-Fi network settings. As soon as you do it the warning disappears.
Fact: However, this is not an ideal fix, because you’re practically bypassing the trigger and exposing your iPhone to being profiled across different Wi-Fi networks.
Update: This troubleshooting method triggers another Privacy Warning that informs you that the Private Address feature is turned Off. So, forget it and move on for the other fixes.
How To Fix WiFi Privacy Warning
Apple provides a support document with recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points.
Before you go on and apply some of the suggested changes make sure that you backup your router’s settings, in case that you might need to restore them.
Also, be aware that you might rejoin the Wi-Fi network so make sure that you know the password.
1. Download Router App
If you haven’t managed your router from your iPhone via remote access, you should check to see if your model has an available iOS / iPadOS app. Mine does, it’s called Asus Router. (direct link)
Download the app and open it. Use our admin credentials to log-in and allow the app to change some basic router settings and enable remote router access!
Fact: This alone can fix the WiFi Privacy Warning issue!
2. Update Firmware On Router
Considering that you have updated iPhone or iPad to the latest software update available, make sure that the router also runs the latest firmware:
On iPhone
- Open you router’s app, the Asus Router app, in this example.
- Tap on Settings, available in the bottom menu.
- Go for Check firmware version.
- Tap the orange Refresh button if an update is available. Be patient.
Tip: Internet connectivity will be intrerupted while the router updates its firmware version.
On Mac (Computer)
Open Safari and tap you routers log-in address. (For example http://192.168.1.1/ is the address of an Asus router) -> Log-in as admin -> Click on the current Firmware Version -> Click Check to search for a firmware update!
Fact: In my case, the firmware update fixed the WiFi Privacy warning on iPhone and iPad!
3. Other Recommendations
If the Privacy Warning persists you should also check the following security settings:
- Avoid Deprecated Security Protocols such as WPA/WPA2 mixed modes, WPA Personal, WEP and TKIP. Go for WPA2 Personal or higher such as WPA2/WPA3 Transitional or WPA3 Personal (the newest protocol, only works with devices that support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax))
- Use An Unique Network Name (SSID) – don’t use common names such as linksys, netgear, dlink, wireless, or 2wire. Also, don’t use different names for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
- Hidden network set to Disabled
- MAC address filtering, authentication, access control set to Disabled
- Automatic firmware updates set to Enabled.
- Radio mode set to All (preferred), or Wi-Fi 2 through Wi-Fi 6 (802.11a/g/n/ac/ax)
- Enable all supported Bands
- Channel set to Auto
- Channel width set to 20MHz for the 2.4GHz band & set to Auto or all widths (20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz) for the 5GHz band
Have you managed to fix WiFi Privacy Warning on iPhone? Did the tips provided in this article help you out? Do you have any questions or suggestions? Use the comments section.
Related: Are you aware of the new privacy features included in iOS 15? Check them out:
– iCloud Private Relay
– Hide My Email
– Mail Privacy Protection
forget this network and login again. it fixed the problem.
Thanks for the feedback. Keep in touch and let us know if the fix is permanent.
Thanks..it worked
Worked for me as well, after a power outage rebooted the router and caused this error message to appear.
Thanks for the feedback.
So glad I found this. I immediately went into panic mode upon seeing this warning on both my iPhone 13 Mini & iPad Mini 5. This corrected it! Oh – I wonder how I check my Apple watch settings?
thanks, this is the best and quick fix!
T H A N K Y O U ! ! !
Best answer! Thanks
I tried what Andre recommended. I clicked on ‘Forget This Network’ and then logged back in and voila (at least for now) I am no longer getting the ‘Privacy Warning’ message.
Thanks.
Thanks for confirming. Glad that you managed to fix it. Please provide a followup if the error returns.
Thanks Shannon M. that fixed it for me too
Thanks for confirming. Please provide a followup is the fix is only temporarily.
Only temp fix after Forget. Err mag comes back !
Is your router’s firmware up to date?
I keep getting Wi-Fi private warning.
Have you applied the tips provided in the article?
Changed SSIDs 5 & 2.4 GHz to same name fixed the problem on 2 iPhones, but still remained in iPad 6 , so tried “forget this network” , log again and then all the message disappeared.
Thanks for the feedback Felix. Glad that you managed to fix the WiFi Privacy warning.
I tried this and the warning vanished but came back a few days later alas so its not a permanent fix.
Thanks for the feedback. Can you please mention which tip you tried?
Forget this network, reboot and re add it. Privacy toggle is on, I’m using WPA2 AES/WPA3 sometimes the iPad has the warning, sometimes the iPhone has it, some time both. It does not matter what you do it may vanish for a week but comes back when my ISP renews the lease lease and gateway sometimes. Its really annoying.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, this should be better managed by iOS. But these are still early days. Have you updated to iOS 15.2?
hi, Patricia. I got the same error message, but after updating to 15.2 it has vanished. Also, before this, around 1 week ago, I just restarted the router and the iphone and connected again: the message has disappeared but came back today. updated to 15.2 and now it’s no longer there. let’s see for how many days until it comes back.
I appreciate the feedback Rexon. Keep us updated please. Thanks.
I updates to 15.2 and it came back as soon as I used Safari. Its a mess and not many routers support DNS over DoH let alone providers. Also Netgear for instance on some routers block it because if you use say traffic monitoring to see your useage, or Circle for child protection or on Asus routers Ai Protection that breaks it as well. Its really frustrating that Apple think they know what’s best and I cant just turn it off for my network, I mean I don’t even use iCloud and get that warning!
Hi I am from India and my router is pretty old, it doesn’t even have WPA3 security so I doubt it would have what you said just now (DNS over doh), so is there any method by which I can turn off the warning
Thanks for the feedback Killhippie. It does make sense. I’m sure that Apple works on improving it. It sometimes acts like a beta version.
When the phone software is 15.2, does this error go away for sure?
I personally haven’t experienced it in iOS 15.2.
Noticed this on my IPhone after updating to IOS 15, restarted my phone and it went away for 2 days. Updated to IOS 15.2 and now it keeps coming back every so often. Feckin nuisance of a company are Apple, cannot defend them anymore, nightmare.
This Wi-Fi Privacy warning a new feature available in iOS 15. Apple just tries to warn you that your Wi-Fi connection might have privacy issues! You can simply ignore it, and use your network as before or take a look and see if you can increase your privacy.
What are you blaming Apple for? For trying to help you make your connection more private? It’s like blaming the doctor for telling your that you should wear a face mask to prevent spreading or catching viruses.
Are you for real ? Who else is to blame but Apple. I have to ignore it as it always comes back but I’m already tech savvy and just don’t appreciate seeing it all the time. We are not all tarded and need to be spoon fed everything. Your doctors and mask analogy is downright patronising, please stop.
Sorry for above, please delete if necessary.
Are you feeling the same about the Compromise Password notifications which have been introduced in iOS 14? Because they’re basically doing the same. Signaling when you’re using a weak password and suggesting you to change it. For me, the Wi-Fi Privacy warning is the same. It just let’s you know that your activity on the network might be tracked. If you’re not bothered just ignore it.
I have just noticed this message on my phone. I was afraid it meant I was hacked. It sounds based off the comments that isn’t the case. Am I correct in this assumption? I am not tech savvy at all and am a little freaked by this message. Thanks.
No, you’re not hacked, it’s just iOS 15 suggesting you that your iPhone can be tracked by profilers on your network, for advertising purposes and other browsing habits. It practically suggests a network vulnerability that’s there for years, and you might want to apply the mentioned steps to make your network activity more private.
I have ipad on new 15.3 update. I have tried all the commented on fixes which work temporarily sometimes for days or hours but eventually privacy warning returns. What confuses my issue more is i run mcafee total protection for mobile’s on my ipad . When i connect to my home network it advises me that my connection is safe, however, Ipad displays privacy warning in wifi settings.
As i understand it is only people connected to your network who can see non encrypted data. Devices connected to your home network in most cases will be people in your own household whom you trust. With respect I doubt there are many people within a family network who would have a clue how to obtain non encrypted data , so if you trust the owners of the connected devices on your network, your wifi is password secured and your modem/ routers are not ancient there should not be to much to worry about.
I STAND TO BE CORRECTED BY ANY OF YOU TECH SAVVY FOLKS OUT THERE.
Ah but if Apple, Microsoft, Google, your smart TV, your home alarm, Amazon Alexa, wifi cameras and nowadays lighting controls, heating system, maybe even your washing machine etc are connected they all become as trusted as members of your family. That makes me uneasy
Does this mean that someone in my household could be tracking my Internet traffic?
I have this problem too. It’s stopping me from using Wi-Fi on my phone as it’s telling me the password is incorrect even though I have entered it correctly. How to fix that issue?
Try checking your router configuration, Monitor your wi-fi network status for any suspicious device connectivity.