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Starting with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, hotspot connections from iPhones and iPads are secured with the improved WPA3 security protocol, which offers greater security and improved measures against password guessing attempts.
WPA3 was developed by the WiFi Alliance in June 2018 with the aim announced, "simplify Wi-Fi security, enable more robust authentication, and provide greater cryptographic strength." Under iOS 14, hotspot connections from an iPhone or iPad are secured only with WPA2. With updates coming this fall, the connections will now be further protected with WPA3. Apple products have been able to connect to networks with WPA3 security for several years. But until now, personal hotspot networks created by these devices only supported the older and weaker WPA2 standard.
iOS 15 & iPadOS 15 Hotspot connections: More protection for passwords
For the typical user, the hotspot connection experience will remain the same in iOS 15—but there are additional benefits. Despite recommendations to create strong, complex, and advanced passwords for hotspot connections, many users continue to use simple passwords that can be easily guessed. WPA3 specifically targets such use cases, as it uses "more resilient, password-based authentication" that "provides stronger protection for users against password guessing attempts by third parties." iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 will be released this fall. All updates will be made available as public beta in July, according to Apple. (Photo by GreenTech9947 / Bigstockphoto)
