What Is WPA3, and Is Your Wi-Fi Secure?

WPA3 is the newest security standard for Wi-Fi networks, introduced by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2018 to replace WPA2. It makes it much harder for someone nearby to guess a Wi-Fi password by trying many passwords offline, and it protects each connection better, even when many people share the same password.

Checked on 3 November 2026.

What does WPA3 change compared with WPA2?

WPA2, the standard most home and office routers still use, lets an attacker who records the moment a device joins the network try millions of passwords later on their own computer. WPA3 Personal uses a newer handshake that stops this offline guessing, so a short or common password is less risky. WPA3 also requires protected management frames, which makes it harder to knock devices off the network.

How do you see which Wi-Fi security your iPhone is using?

Open Settings > Wi-Fi.

Look under the network name. If it says Weak Security, the network uses an old standard such as WEP, WPA or WPA2 with TKIP.

Tap the (i) next to the network for Apple's note on that warning.

On your own router, open its admin page and look for the security mode under the Wi-Fi settings.

How do you turn on WPA3 on your home router?

Update the router's firmware first.

In the Wi-Fi security settings, choose WPA3 Personal, or WPA2/WPA3 (sometimes called transition mode) if you still have older devices.

Save, then reconnect your devices with the same password.

If an old device cannot join, keep WPA2/WPA3 mode until you replace it.

Is WPA3 enough on public Wi-Fi?

No. WPA3 protects you from people outside the network, but on a café, hotel or airport network everyone with the password is inside it, and you cannot check how the owner set it up. Many public networks have no password at all. On networks you do not control, use a VPN so your traffic is encrypted from your phone to the VPN server, whatever security the Wi-Fi uses.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a new router for WPA3?

Many routers sold since 2019 support WPA3, some after a firmware update. Older routers may not, and then WPA2 with AES and a long password is the best choice.

Does my iPhone support WPA3?

iPhones from the iPhone 7 onward support WPA3 on current iOS versions.

Does WPA3 hide the sites I visit?

From people outside the network, yes. From the network owner, no. A VPN keeps that private from the network too.

---

CasperVPN encrypts your internet connection with WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and CasperCloak, our own protocol, on iPhone and iPad (Mac app coming). Learn more in Public Wi-Fi risks or Download CasperVPN →