iOS 19 Likely to Sync Captive Wi-Fi Data Between Devices

Apple is developing a new feature that will synchronize captive Wi-Fi portal login information across devices, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iphone wi fi
The system will allow users to enter login details for captive Wi-Fi networks – commonly found in hotels, airports, and coffee shops – just once, then automatically sync that information across their iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.

"When you go to a new hotel, office building or gym, you're often asked to fill out a web form on all your devices before you can access the internet," Gurman reports. "This new feature will let you enter that information on one device and have it synched to your other products."

This time-saving addition should eliminate the frustration of repeatedly logging into the same network portal across multiple Apple devices.

Apple is reportedly readying the feature in time for WWDC 2025, suggesting it will likely arrive with iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16.

Related Roundup: iOS 19

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Top Rated Comments

kiranmk2 Avatar
4 hours ago at 04:39 am

I'm curious how this impacts paid captive wi-fi, specifically those found on aircraft. Currently if the airline charges for wi-fi you'd have to pay a fee for each device. Does this get around it? I would imagine paid wi-fi operators would be able to tell based on the device's MAC address or something similar.
For your use case, specifically, it looks like Starlink will become the default inflight WiFi service as it is just so much faster than the incumbant systems, and I believe Starlink forbids airlines from charging customers for it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradman83 Avatar
4 hours ago at 04:22 am
I'm curious how this impacts paid captive wi-fi, specifically those found on aircraft. Currently if the airline charges for wi-fi you'd have to pay a fee for each device. Does this get around it? I would imagine paid wi-fi operators would be able to tell based on the device's MAC address or something similar.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mxrider88 Avatar
4 hours ago at 04:24 am
Yeah. Then they will delay it until 19.4 and release a buggy mess.

Work on all the stuff nobody asked about but give us a dumber version Siri week by week. Way to go.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lellis2k Avatar
3 hours ago at 04:59 am
Ah was hoping this would be something more universal to prevent having to enter info to every new captive wifi you turn up at. Syncing between devices is a nice addition, but not a big one imo
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cicalinarrot Avatar
3 hours ago at 05:44 am
Proprietary wifi log-in is still one of the tech-related experiences I hate the most, it makes me feel like it's 2008.
Hope this makes it a little less painful.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lkrupp Avatar
2 hours ago at 05:59 am
Would any sane person actually use public WiFi when they know the guy sitting next to them could be sniffing their keystrokes and passwords, reading their email? I never use public WiFi.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)