The Quickest Way to Connect to Wi-Fi on iPhone & iPad

By Leanne Hays Updated 03/05/2024

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Do you know how to connect to Wi-Fi, or change the network you're using, directly from your iPhone or iPad's Control Center? This method is much quicker than sorting through the Settings app to find available networks. Let's get started learning how to access your iPhone Wi-Fi settings via the Control Center.

Why You’ll Love This Tip

Quickly open your iPhone's Wi-Fi Settings
Easily access the Wi-Fi network when you arrive at a friend’s house.

Quickly Access iPhone Wi-Fi Settings

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 16 or newer and iPads running iPadOS 16 or newer.

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Connecting to nearby Wi-Fi networks on iPhone is relatively simple. You can do it from the Settings app, or, if you have the setting enabled, a pop-up will sometimes appear, asking if you would like to connect to a nearby network. But the quickest way is from your iPhone’s Control Center. For more iPhone shortcuts, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

Swipe down from the upper right edge to open the Control Center (if your iPhone has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge).
Tap and hold the upper left group of controls.

Tap and hold the Wi-Fi icon.
Select your Wi-Fi network.

You might need to enter a password before you can connect, but your device will remember the username and password once you've joined a network, so all you'll need to do next time is tap the name in the Wi-Fi menu to join. Any time you'd like to change the network you're using, follow the same steps, and tap a different option on the Wi-Fi network list. Next, find out how to quickly switch between Bluetooth devices, and how to check your Wi-Fi Ghz on an iPhone or iPad.

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Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.

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