- Some apps for your iPhone or iPad might ask you to grant permission to connect to devices in your local network.
- These apps usually need to find compatible devices on your network — smart home apps may need to connect to smart speakers and other smart devices, for example.
- This is how to grant or deny access to these apps.
iOS 14 and later iPhones (or iPadOS14 on iPads) may have received an app asking for permission to “find, connect to devices in your local network”. It isn’t always obvious what this vaguely formulated message is asking for. This article will cover everything you need about iPhone apps and access to local networks.
What apps ask for network access on your iPhone/iPad?
Although it is a new feature for apps to ask permission for devices to be found and connected to your local network, the reality is that this isn’t a new idea. Apps have done this for years. Apple now requires permission requests from apps.
Dave Johnson
Your Wi-Fi network is your local network. When an app asks permission to connect to Wi-Fi networks, it’s usually doing so to determine if it can use a compatible device. Music and audio apps may want to check if your network has a compatible smart speaker or portable speaker that it can stream to. A smart home app may need to scan your network in order to locate all compatible devices within your home.
Apple allows developers the ability to customize their message with more details about what they are seeking.
Apps should have permission to locate and connect to devices in your network.
Permission is generally safe and allows the app to function as intended. If you are unsure why the app asks for permission, or if you don’t want or need the additional features this type of connectivity offers, you can easily deny permission. Even if you deny permission, the app can still access the internet — it simply can’t scan your network for additional information. If you decide to change your mind later, you can grant permission via Settings (see below).
How to grant or revoke access to the local network on an iPhone/iPad
You can grant or deny permission to an app to connect to devices on your network. However, regardless of whether you grant permission or not, you have the right to change your mind later. Start the Settings App and tap Privacy & Security. Tap Local NetworkClick on the button to see a list all devices that have permission. You can manage access by using the button located to the right each app.
Dave Johnson
