WiFi QR Code Questions

Test-User

Considered for a bit on where to post this one, as it applies to way more than just Xfinity. But since I’m testing it with both an iPhone and an Android, and it’s possible the situation is unique to Xfinity and an XB8, I’m hoping that this is a decent starting point.

What are the potential differences between joining a WiFi network by simply tapping the WiFi SSID on the device, and entering the password, vs. manually adding the WiFi network by inputting the SSID and password, vs. scanning the QR code provided in the Xfinity app? While iPhones display far less info about the connection, than does Android, I’m thinking the primary differences would be setting Security mode for the connection, but I’m uncertain as to what else. Also, for the purposes of this thread, I’m talking about all three bands on the XB8 being combined into a single SSID and password (not split bands), and the Security mode for the XB8 is set to WPA3-Personal-Transition, in the Xfinity app (covers all three bands, although the 6GHz is WPA3-Personal since that’s the minimum for that band).

badtlc4

the resulted connection is all the same, security wise. the only real security question comes from asking if it is a security issue to allow all those “easy” connection methods? I personally disable all of them so you have to select the wifi and type in the correct password to connect to my WiFi. I dont want anyone jumping on my network w/out me knowing first.

hex0101

badtlc4 Some devices like iOS and Windows will sync your Wi-Fi passwords to the cloud and across devices. So now your Wi-Fi password is synced on someone’s else’s iCloud or Microsoft Account. There is also easy Wi-Fi password sharing bulit-in to iOS, allowing someone to share your Wi-Fi password with another person as long as they are in the already connected parties contacts. When the other person goes to select your network, a pop-up appears on other iOS device that is already connected asking if you would like to share the Wi-Fi password. It is also possible to view the passwords on iOS 16 and newer, but if you share via iOS to iOS it may not actually not show the password or sync to the person’s iCloud. Can’t remember.

badtlc4

hex0101 which is why I dont let visitors on my wifi.

HardlyWorthit

badtlc4 which is why I dont let visitors on my wifi.

My visitors SSID has limited access, bandwidth and speed. It is offered as a courtesy to those who are given its password.

Tshirt

badtlc4 which is why I dont let visitors on my wifi.

HardlyWorthit My visitors SSID has limited access, bandwidth and speed. It is offered as a courtesy to those who are given its password.

The XB8 the OP is using offers a “guest network” mode with separate passwords, bandwidth, time of use etc limits.
I agree that manual, hopefully wired access for the network/LAN and WLAN configuration steps is prefered over the wireless “easy button” methods.

hex0101

Tshirt The XB8 the OP is using offers a “guest network” mode with separate passwords, bandwidth, time of use etc limits.

It does? You are not talking about the xfinitywifi hotspots right?

lesmikesell

Tshirt The XB8 the OP is using offers a “guest network” mode with separate passwords, bandwidth, time of use etc limits.

My XB7 doesn’t have a real guest network - and I thought XB8s were the same. There is an XFINITY network that only works for people who have their own xfinity account.

Tshirt

hex0101 Nope not hotspots, I believe I saw Guest mode on mine. currently in bridge mode so no access to those tools right now. I’ll check again later.

Tshirt

hex0101 You are right
Xfinity WiFi is all that’s offered on this model, my own router(s) have guest networks
less impressed with these gateways LAN and WLAN features all the time.
Back to bridge mode for me.

lesmikesell

Tshirt less impressed with these gateways LAN and WLAN features all the time

On the other hand if you have devices with marginal connections you may get a free wifi extender pod.

fmd

About the QR code… It contains a “wifi uri”. It is described in the WPA specification. It’s a string with the various wifi settings.

Tshirt

lesmikesell you may get a free wifi extender pod.

I may get to that, but bridged to My own router I get better speeds 2 rooms away while the gateway seems to max out around 50Mbps.
even worse is when I log in to the gateway unbridged to check Connected devices it often tells me the device I am using is not connected /last seen 2 days ago…. if it can’t recognize known devices properly, how does it deal with unknown device usage/log in attempts?
also pushes my laptop on to 2.4 only, killing throughput, and I’m out in the stick barely see 2 neighbors wlans too weak to interfere.
wired speeds are good but that’s not convenient for many devices

lesmikesell

Tshirt also pushes my laptop on to 2.4 only, killing throughput

Don’t think that’s typical unless you are going through many walls - or one concrete wall.

Test-User

fmd ahhh, thank you. I was wondering whether it also included security mode info, plus anything else, not just the SSID and password. I’ll have to look into the WPA specs.

Test-User

hex0101 this is true. I’ll have to check on whether it still shows the WiFi password on iOS 18.

Tshirt

lesmikesell 2 layers of 90 year old tongue and groove red cedar as I said my own AX21 in same location does 250-350 without problems even an old samsung tablet gets 250 down.
xb8 was in factory sealed? box when I got it.

fmd

Test-User How much info the string includes depends on the specific app that generates the QR though.

hex0101

My peak speed with the XB7 on a 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi 6 client is 924 Mbps. No 160 Mhz needed!

Test-User

fmd Also true. In this case, we’re talking specifically about the QR Code displayed (and thus created) by the Xfinity app itself. Thank you for the continued input for me to research.