Why WiFi switching is so hard for iPhone?

Question

I have a main router and since my back patio and garage don't get the WiFi coverage, I have installed a range extender. Whenever I visit the garage my iPhone 12 Pro Max doesn't seem to switch to the range extender, I have to manually open WiFi settings and click on it for it to connect. Now I go back to my living room and sit right next to my main router, my phone is still talking to the range extender even throws poor connection/no internet (!) and I have to walk again through the settings and select my main router. Is it that hard to automatically switch between saved Access Points based on relative signal strengths?

bradknowles · Accepted Answer

Amplifi has both "band steering" and "router steering" options that you can configure on the routers.
Band Steering will cause the routers and access points to kick you off 5Ghz faster, if 2.4Ghz would give you stronger signal, and vice-versa.
Router Steering will cause the routers and access points to kick you off the one you are attached to more quickly, and thus cause you to re-associate with the network on a router or access point that is closer to you and would give you a stronger signal.
I can't speak for any other vendors, but that's the kind of thing I think you're looking for.

desro · Answer

The roaming protocol prioritizes the continuity of the connection you already have until signal strength (or another metric) falls past a certain threshold.
I tried to find the Apple whitepaper I read about this exact topic a couple years ago, but couldn't find it. Hopefully someone with more precise insight can chime in.
One practical solution may be to reduce the signal strength of each of your access points so the threshold for jumping APs is hit more easily.

jackweirdy · Answer

Are your SSIDs named the same or differently?
If you name them the same, they should auto-switch more aggressively, but probably still not optimally.
For that communication between the routers is needed and each will kick you over to the other when they agree it’s necessary
Recommended reading: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202628

daviddever23box · Answer

Not a fan of range extenders; definitely a fan of (carefully-selected) fixed-frequencies, distinct SSIDs on unique APs, and per-MAC rate limiting. Use wired Ethernet wherever possible. Choose the physical placement of your APs wisely.As for mesh networking, nice to have in the suburbs, though never as good as a fully-managed, wired-AP solution, especially in Manhattan high-rises.

cr3ative · Answer

Your transmit power is too high on both units. Turn it down and it&rsquo;s more likely to notice the drop, rather than see a strong signal it can&rsquo;t actually reach.

jhugo · Answer

You should set a higher minimum RSSI on your APs, and/or reduce their transmit power. Also, ensure they have the same SSID. With different SSIDs you are not roaming and it won't consider switching until it completely loses the connection of the first.

seaghost · Answer

You should get a WiFi mesh system, I had the same issue and it solved it.

webmobdev · Answer

It's even worse with hidden wifi network. Other devices don't have an issue with hidden netowrks but iDevices always delay connecting to a hidden wifi network.