Tell HN: iOS lets carriers add WiFi networks that you can’t stop from joining

Article summary

The latest iOS version allows cellular carriers to add managed WiFi networks to devices, which cannot be removed and have equal priority with personal networks. These networks can cause devices to prefer the carrier's network over the user's local WiFi. The article author discovered this feature and found that disabling auto-join on these networks only temporarily solves the issue, as the setting reverts after a few minutes. This feature is reportedly available on both eSIM and traditional SIM devices.

Main themes

• carrier-controlled WiFi networks
• user autonomy and control
• iOS feature implementation
• carrier-Apple relationships
• network traffic management
• device security and privacy

What commenters say

• The ability of carriers to add managed WiFi networks without user consent is a hostile feature that undermines user control over their devices.
• Disabling auto-join on managed networks may not be a permanent solution, as the setting can revert after a few minutes.
• Some users are able to disable auto-join on these networks, but the setting may not always be respected by the device.
• The feature may be intended to offload traffic from cellular networks to WiFi, but its implementation is problematic and raises concerns about user autonomy.
• Apple's decision to allow carriers to add managed networks without user consent is seen as a prioritization of carrier interests over user needs.
• The issue is not limited to specific carriers or regions, and may affect users worldwide.
• Some users argue that Apple should not allow carriers to dictate device behavior without user consent, while others see it as a necessary compromise to maintain a good relationship with carriers.