An interesting new feature of iOS 11 allows you to connect quickly to a WiFi network by scanning the QR code of a router in the Apple Camera app on your iPhone or iPad, without typing any password. On iOS 11 and later, the Camera app supports QR code scanning that allows you to automatically visit a website below, combine a HomeKit accessory, add contact information, share a WiFi password, make an automatic WiFi connection and much more.
Before starting the procedure in this guide, make sure that iOS 11.0 or later is installed on your device, otherwise you will not find this feature.
Making an automatic WiFi connection using the Camera app
Scanning the QR code found on the back of the router is probably the fastest and most efficient way to make an automatic WiFi connection using the login credentials below.
1) Open the Settings app on your device with iOS 11 or later.
2) Scroll in half and touch Camera.
3) Move the switch next to Scan QR codes to the ON position.
4) Open the Camera app and tap Photo below.
5) Point the camera at the QR code that is printed somewhere on the back of the router.
6) Upon completion of the QR code scan, the Camera app will present a notification banner containing the name of the network. Just touch the banner to automatically connect your iPhone or iPad to the WiFi network using the login credentials stored in the QR code.
Now your iPhone or iPad should automatically connect to the WiFi network without requiring the password or any additional action on your part. This is a great way to quickly connect to a friend’s WiFi network without asking for a password.
The QR code printed on the back of the router encrypts the factory credentials of the WiFi network. If you’ve changed your default WiFi network password (and if you have not already done so, do it now for security reasons), it might be a good idea to print a new QR code containing your new network name and/or password. If you do not know how to do it, go on reading.
How to create QR code of the WiFi network
To create a new QR code of your WiFi network, you can do it with a free service that you can find on the internet. Visit the online QR code generator called QiFi by accessing the browser on your computer. Now type in the name of your wireless network (SSID) and password, then click on the Generate button: that’s all.
The Web app will generate the corresponding QR code, which you can print or take a screenshot and store it on your phone.
If the router supports a guest network, it is possible to generate a QR code for the host network.
Print it and leave it in a drawer or maybe in the guest room of your home. The next time there are many guests in your home but you do not want to leave your WiFi password on a post-it so everyone can see, ask them to scan the QR code.
How to use WiFi sharing
Another way to share access to the WiFi network without exchanging any network name or password is to use a WiFi sharing function. It’s ridiculous to use East as long as you’re on iOS 11 or later and/or macOS High Sierra or later and your iPhone, iPad or Mac is connected to Wi-Fi that you’d like to share with another person.
Just make sure your device is unlocked, then ask a friend to select your network name on your device. A Wi-Fi sharing card should automatically appear on your device, asking if you want to send your encrypted WiFi password to a friend’s device wirelessly.
Touch Send password to share access to your WiFi network with a friend’s device securely, without actually revealing your Wi-Fi access password.
The other person must be saved as a contact in your address book. This method will not work if your wireless network uses MAC address filtering.
These features for automatic WiFi connection, along with other interesting QR code scanning features, take advantage of Apple’s new Apple Vision APIs in iOS 11. If you have an older iOS version installed on your device, you need to upgrade to iOS 11 before to be able to scan QR codes with the camera app.