An example of logging in to a captive Wi-Fi hotspot on iPhone
A new report claims that Apple is working on how to have its devices share Wi-Fi login details on commercial or captive networks.
Since iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra in 2017, Apple has made it so that devices can share passwords. It’s also possible for two separate users to share passwords this way, with one iPhone prompting the user to send the details to the other.
However, this concept has never worked on commercial or captive networks.
Now, according to Bloomberg, Apple is working to extend the facility even onto this type of network, the kind used by trains, hotels, and other commercial establishments. These are commonly called Wi-Fi hotspots, or subscription Wi-Fi networks.
While there is no indication of when Apple may add this feature, the idea is that a user will get access for all of their devices, just by signing in on one.
As with the current non-captive or commercial Wi-Fi networks, once a user has filled out their details on their iPhone and been granted access, their iPad can join that network without having to re-enter anything.
The current system also allows two separate users to share passwords this way, with one iPhone prompting the user to send the details to the other. It’s not clear whether Apple intends this with the captive system.
It’s also not known how this would work in establishments that have a two-device policy, such as hotels. Those tend to simply deny access to a third or subsequent device associated with the user’s login, and would presumably continue to do so.
However, some establishments allow users to swap between devices, so long as only two are connected at once. It’s not known how or whether Apple’s system could facilitate this.
Plus, as convenient as this password sharing already is, it has not been without security issues.
