New iOS 14.7 beta fixes special network name bug that crashes WiFi connection

This bug was first mentioned in June. Basically, a security researcher has found that certain network tools can completely disable WiFi connectivity and network features. other like AirDrop.

In some cases, users can fix it by resetting the iPhone's network settings in Settings. However, not all devices can fix this problem.

Apple seems to have grasped the issue and in the latest iOS 14.7 beta they fixed it. After updating to the new iOS 14.7 beta, when connecting to one of the previous WiFi names with an error, the iPhone still works normally, providing a stable WiFi connection.

Currently, Apple has not announced the cause of the problem. As speculated by Benjamin Mayo of page 9to5Mac the specifier "%n" causes the buffer overflow. When the memory overflows, the iOS monitoring system closes the processes that lead to disabling WiFi on iPhone.

Currently, iOS 14.7 is still in the testing process with betas rolling out to developers and users participating in the test. Apple has yet to say when it will officially release iOS 14.7 to users. While waiting for the official iOS 14.7, you should consider before connecting to WiFi networks with % symbol in the name.

Jessica Tanner

Update 10 July 2021