To trigger a Wi-Fi login page on your iPhone, open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, and wait for its welcome screen. Alternatively, tap the network’s More Info (ⓘ) button, then tap Join Network. If the screen stays closed, try reconnecting with automatic login disabled or opening the portal in Safari.
Start with the login controls, then choose the follow-up that matches what happens. The steps use current iPhone menus, with iOS 27 settings identified where they differ.
The short version
- Trigger the screen: Select the hotspot in Settings > Wi-Fi, or open More Info and tap Join Network.
- Try Safari: Open
https://captive.apple.comafter following the Safari connection steps below. - Match the symptom: Use Safari settings for a blank browser portal and connection fixes when your iPhone cannot join the hotspot.
- Save resets for last: Resetting network settings resets saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings.
| Fix | When to try it | Main catch |
|---|---|---|
| Tap Join Network | The welcome screen never opens | Select the intended hotspot first |
| Turn off Auto-Login | You need the welcome screen again | The network must display this setting |
| Turn on Auto-Join | Your iPhone does not reconnect automatically | This controls joining the network |
| Open the portal in Safari | The built-in login window fails | Follow the connection steps first |
| Use the provider’s address | You are on a participating hotel network | The address is specific to that provider |
| Check the selected network | You may have joined the wrong hotspot | Look for its blue checkmark |
| Cycle Wi-Fi | The connection needs another attempt | Select the hotspot again afterward |
| Forget and rejoin | Reconnecting alone fails | Removal also affects devices using the same iCloud Keychain |
| Enable JavaScript | The Safari portal is blank or incomplete | Reload the page afterward |
| Allow cookies | Website sign-in fails with cookies blocked | This changes Safari’s cookie setting |
| Allow pop-ups | The provider requires them | This does not control the system login window |
| Disable a Safari extension | An extension interferes with the browser portal | Start with the portal website |
| Clear website data | The Safari portal still fails | Cookies, cached data, and saved website sessions are removed |
| Disable VPN or filtering features | Networking software may interfere | Managed settings need administrator help |
| Disable Use Connectivity Assist | You want to retry without it on this hotspot | This is an iOS 27 network setting |
| Disable Connectivity Assist | You want to disable it globally | This uses the iOS 27 interface |
| Turn off Cellular Data | You need to isolate the Wi-Fi connection | This is not a guaranteed portal trigger |
| Turn off Limit IP Address Tracking | The network is incompatible with Private Relay | The preference applies across devices using Private Relay |
| Turn off the private address | Compatibility trouble remains after updating | Your iPhone stops using a private address on that network |
| Restart your iPhone | Targeted fixes have failed | Reconnect afterward |
| Install available updates | Your iPhone has a compatible update | Back up first and use working Wi-Fi |
| Check signal and network equipment | The hotspot itself may be failing | Ask the operator unless you manage the equipment |
| Ask IT to check captive-network detection | A managed iPhone suppresses the login screen | The setting is controlled by management policy |
| Reset network settings | Other fixes have failed | Saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings are reset |
Bring back the welcome screen
Open Settings > Wi-Fi and select the intended network. Tap its name and wait, or tap More Info (ⓘ), then tap Join Network. Complete the provider’s login or agreement when the welcome screen opens.
For a network that displays Auto-Login, open its More Info screen and turn off Auto-Login. Reconnect to make the welcome screen appear on the next connection. If that setting is absent or the screen still does not open, continue with Safari.
If your iPhone fails to reconnect to the hotspot automatically, turn on Auto-Join in the same network details. This restores automatic joining; use the login steps above to request the welcome screen.
Open the login page in Safari
Google recommends a Safari workaround for captive networks, particularly when Google Account sign-in fails in the built-in window. Open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network’s Info (ⓘ) button, and turn off Auto-Join. Open Safari and enter https://captive.apple.com in the address field.
Another route is to tap Without Internet when the captive-network dialog offers that choice, then open a website in Safari. This keeps your iPhone connected to the network and disables Auto-Login. Once you finish troubleshooting, turn on Auto-Join again if you want automatic reconnection.
A provider’s own address can also take you to its portal. On a participating Marriott hotel network, join the guest Wi-Fi, open Safari, and enter marriottwifi.com. If that fails, contact the front desk or request the hotel internet provider’s support number.
Reconnect to the intended hotspot
Check Settings > Wi-Fi for a blue checkmark beside the intended network. For troubleshooting on the ground, turn off Airplane Mode in Settings, ensure Wi-Fi is on, and select the hotspot. Aboard an aircraft, follow the airline’s instructions instead.
Next, turn off Wi-Fi completely in Settings, turn it back on, and select the hotspot again. Return to the network’s details and tap Join Network. Marriott recommends cycling Wi-Fi for guest-network connection failures.
Forgetting a network removes its saved connection, and the removal also applies to devices using the same iCloud Keychain. Open Settings > Wi-Fi > Edit, tap More Info beside the saved network, then tap Forget This Network and Forget. Return to Wi-Fi and select the network again. Some managed networks cannot be forgotten, so ask your administrator for help if management prevents this step.
Fix a blank or incomplete Safari portal
When the portal opens in Safari but does not load correctly, open Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced and turn on JavaScript. Reload the portal afterward. These browser fixes apply to the page opened in Safari.
Blocked cookies can prevent website sign-in, so allow cookies on your iPhone by turning off Block All Cookies in the same Advanced menu, then retry the portal. When the provider requires pop-ups, disable Safari’s pop-up blocker under Settings > Apps > Safari by turning off Block Pop-ups, then retry. Marriott recommends allowing pop-ups, but that control does not directly govern the system’s Wi-Fi login window.
An extension can also interfere with the Safari page. Open Safari’s Page Menu > Manage Extensions and turn off the relevant extension for the portal. For a broader check, open Settings > Apps > Safari > Extensions, select the extension, and turn off Allow Extension. Retry the portal after the change.
Clearing website data removes cookies, cached website data, and saved website sessions while retaining browsing history. If the browser portal still fails, open Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data. Tap Remove All Website Data, tap Remove Now, and retry the portal.
Check VPN filters and cellular fallback
If you have a VPN or security app with connection or filtering features enabled, open that app and disable those features temporarily. Exact controls vary by app. You can also use Search in Settings to find VPN, profile, firewall, or filter settings, then restart and retry after changes. Ask your administrator for help with managed settings.
On iOS 27, open Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the hotspot’s Info (ⓘ) button, and turn off Use Connectivity Assist. Alternatively, with Wi-Fi enabled, scroll down on the main Wi-Fi screen and turn off Connectivity Assist globally. Retry the hotspot afterward. Apple says Connectivity Assist replaces the older Wi-Fi Assist setting.
To isolate the Wi-Fi connection on an iPhone with cellular service, open Settings > Cellular and turn off Cellular Data temporarily. Keep Wi-Fi enabled and retry the portal. This prevents cellular data use during the attempt, but it is not a guaranteed login-page trigger.
Check privacy compatibility with the hotspot
For an incompatible network while iCloud+ Private Relay is enabled, open Settings > Wi-Fi and tap More Info beside the hotspot. Turn off Limit IP Address Tracking and retry. This turns off Private Relay for that network, and the network preference applies across your devices using Private Relay.
A private Wi-Fi address is a separate compatibility setting. After installing available updates and retrying, you can address an incompatible network by opening Settings > Wi-Fi, tapping More Info (ⓘ) beside the network, and turning off its private address. This stops your iPhone from using a private address on that network, so reserve it for a compatibility problem. If the hotspot still fails, continue with the connection checks below.
Restart and install available updates
Restart through Settings > General > Shut Down, then drag the power slider. Hold the Side button to turn your iPhone back on. Rejoin the hotspot and try its welcome screen again.
For an update, back up your iPhone, connect it to power and working Wi-Fi, then open Settings > General > Software Update. When an update is offered, tap Download and Install. The version offered depends on your iPhone model and installed software. Retry the hotspot after updating.
Check the hotspot before resetting network settings
Move closer to the access point, try another Wi-Fi band the operator offers, and check whether another device can connect. If the hotspot also fails on another device, ask its operator for help. If you manage the equipment, unplug and reconnect the router and modem; otherwise, leave that step to the operator. At a hotel, the front desk can direct you to internet support.
On a managed iPhone, ask IT to review Disable captive network detection in the Wi-Fi management settings. Apple says this policy can suppress the opportunity to complete network agreements or login information. Your administrator can stop disabling detection if that policy is causing the problem.
For school or business configurations, consult IT before resetting network settings. Resetting network settings resets saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network settings. As a last resort, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings. Rejoin the hotspot afterward and try opening its login screen again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you return to the welcome screen from the no-internet choices?
If the no-internet choices appear after joining through More Info, tap Cancel to return to the welcome screen. You can then complete the hotspot’s login or agreement.
How do you open the Wi-Fi portal on a Southwest flight?
On a Wi-Fi-equipped Southwest flight, open Settings and turn on Airplane Mode, then turn on Wi-Fi and select the available Southwest network. Tap Access the portal, or enter SouthwestWiFi.com in Safari. Aircraft services vary.
Should you check an incorrect iPhone date or time?
Yes, Apple recommends checking the time during network troubleshooting. Using a working internet connection, open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Time Automatically. For automatic time-zone detection, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and turn on Setting Time Zone. Restrictions can prevent changes to these settings.
Does turning off a private address affect other Wi-Fi networks?
No, you turn it off only for the network that can't use one. For better privacy, Apple recommends keeping private addresses on for every network that supports them.
Can you stop only Safari from using cellular data?
Yes, open Settings > Cellular and turn off cellular access for Safari in the app list. This lets you isolate Safari’s Wi-Fi connection while leaving cellular data enabled for other apps.