Are you getting this annoying popup on your iPhone? It asks to join networks by showing a new window on your iPhone screen like this (screenshot below), with a list of available Wi-Fi networks to select under “Select a Wireless Network” and a “Cancel” option at the bottom.
I did. Today it showed up at least 15 times when I walked into Starbucks, the city library, and a restaurant. Every time I opened my iPhone, a popup appeared on the screen. Of course, I hit the cancel button every time. But I felt it was really annoying.
Not sure if it’s related to the recent iOS update (I strongly doubt it). Maybe the new mobile operating system has a default setting to enable this option asking to join networks available nearby.
Well, it could be a friendly reminder for those of you who have a limited Internet data plan. But for me, I feel it’s more disturbing than convenient. Also, I’m not comfortable joining networks that I am not familiar with due to the danger of public Wi-Fi.
Fortunately, disabling this “ask to join network” popup is an easy task. With only a few taps on your iPhone, it will disappear for good.
Here’s how:
Step 1: Tap on Settings and then Wi-Fi.
Step 2: See this “Ask to Join Networks” option at the bottom? In my case, it’s turned on (with green color). All you need to do is tap on it to switch it off.
Step 3: Now it’s like this. The green color becomes gray.
Done!
Another solution you may use is to turn off the Wi-Fi button completely (in the above screenshot). Personally, I wouldn’t recommend you do this because it will block your iPhone from auto-joining the known Wi-Fi networks for example at home, or at work office.
If you forget to turn it on, your data plan could be used up much faster than you thought, especially when you browse YouTube or other online video websites.
Anyway, that’s what I want to share with you today. I hope you find this simple trick useful. If you come across another iPhone problem, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to help you address it.
Doula
Yes despite turning the Ask to join button off, the prompt still appears every 15 seconds! Annoying.. any solution other than switching off the Wifi button completely
Bill
I turn off ask to join networks and it still pops up every few seconds.
Anshita
I turned off “Ask to Join Networks” but still it’s coming.This is really annoying issue.
Sue Hladky
What do you do if it comes up select a wireless network and nothing else and now my phone is frozen how do I unfreeze it I have tried turning it off but it doesn’t work because the select network is on the screen, any help would be appreciated
Dianne M. Daniels
I’m in a similar situation – running IOS 12.2, with the “Ask to Join Networks” turned off, still getting the annoying popups. Any other solution found?
Brett
I’m on 10.3.1. I have “Ask to Join Networks” turned off. And this is an annoying issue again.