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lagunatic's avatar
May 25, 2026

Orbi iOS App- Wi-Fi signal strength not correctly showing for iPhone 17 Pro Max

 

More of a nuisance issue, but thought I'd post a question on this...

 

In the iOS-based Orbi app (most current Orbi app release level running on an iPhone 17 Pro Max (also has the most current iOS version level), all other connected devices seem to show the correct and expected wi-fi signal strength given their relative location to an RBS or RBR ... except for my iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

 

The Orbi app shows the iPhone online with a green dot but the wi-fi strength is not reporting properly. Doesn't matter what RBS or RBR it is connected to, the displayed signal status is the same, no bars. Also doesn't matter if viewing the Device Manager or Network Map screens in the Orbi app. 

 

More than 9 times out of 10 it will show the icon basically all grey/no-bars even though it is wi-fi'd to my network and just fine and very fast per SpeedTest.  On the iPhone I have had Private Wi-Fi Address set to FIXED and typically Wi-Fi 6E Mode set to OFF. I just tried setting that iPhone Wi-Fi 6E Mode setting to AUTOMATIC and restarted the iPhone and now I have full bars but I'm connecting to an 770 RBS 40' or so away and the 771 RBR is about 2' from the iPhone. Flipped it back to OFF, restarted iPhone and now back to no wi-fi bars but connected to the RBR. Set it back to AUTOMATIC, restarted iPhone and no bars for wi-fi strength and connected back to the RBS... so no real consistency there in the testing.  

 

I still intend to play around with RBS positioning for my 773, maybe even dropping one RBS so I get more consistent results with what device connects to what RBS/RBR.

 

Also worth noting that I have intermittent wi-fi connectivity issues only on initial iPhone power-up/startup. Have to toggle wifi OFF/ON most times to get clean wifi.  This occurred with my 852 as well as the newer 773 (has current firmware levels for RBS's/RBR).

 

Is this a known problem with iPhone 17's and the wi-fi signal strength indicator in the Orbi app?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

7 Replies

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    Probably. I see this too. 

    Something you can submit a bug report thru the app and let NG know. 

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User

    Does the iPhone Orbi 'app' include information about the "Link Rate" of WiFi connections?

    (i.e. something similar to what the Android app shows for this cell phone?)

    That might be useful information for Netgear.

    • lagunatic's avatar
      lagunatic
      Guide

      Yes it does include that in the iOS-based Orbi app, but the Link Rate field is completely missing when the iPhone is showing 0 wi-fi signal strength bars yet it is connected just fine and fast.