Does iPhone support WiFi ad-hoc mode?

Question

Does the iPhone support ad-hoc network mode? Can iPhones connect to one another without requiring an existing network? If so, how can I create an Ad Hoc network in my app?

Solution 1

Updated Answer:

Have a look at the MultiPeer Connectivity Framework (documentation link) introduced in iOS 7. NSHipster has a nice write-up on it (link). Although you don't get direct network access, you can easily pass data between devices, and even use other devices to act as middlemen to other devices nearby.

Legacy Answer:

iOS devices cannot make peer-to-peer networks using the built in Settings app or available APIs. However, if you want to send data between devices in your app you have three options.

You can use Game Kit, CoreBluetooth (in limited circumstances), or you can use something like CocoaHTTPServer.

Solution 2

Ad Hoc networking is supported on all iOS devices, but you can not create an ad hoc network from within your application. From the list of available networks, choose the ad hoc network you want to connect to, click the arrow and choose connect automatically. Now, your device will automatically connect to this network whenever it comes within range. After this you can use the connection using regular sockets or any other networking API.

Solution 3

As of iOS 7 you can use the Multipeer Connectivity Framework to connect two iPhones without an existing network. The framework will use Bluetooth, Wifi infrastructure mode, or Wifi Adhoc mode. Unfortunately, you don't have the ability to choose a transport, the framework decides on what is best.

Comments

[Jing]

I'm working on Gamekit/Bluetooth with multi-user, crash very often. I'm trying to understand CocoaHttpServer project,sorry my networking knowledge is poor, does it means I don't need wifi hotpot around? What job does it do?

[Andy]

Ad hoc wifi networking IS supported, but you can not CREATE one.

[Dermot]

I think he meant between iPhones, its the context of the question.

[Andy]

This is incorrect, it is supported, but you must specify the connection parameters in the settings app.

[Andy]

Yes, it is supported BETWEEN phones.

[Andy]

No, it wasnt as it has been for several years, so you were incorrect at the time of posting. Retaliation downvotes IS REALLY BAD BEHAVIOR! You better stop this immediately and start posting correct answers, or accept that you may be wrong. We all are sometimes.

[Mr47]

...iPhones connect to one another... Your answer implies yet another device creating a network.

[Art Geigel]

This might have been the right answer in November 2011 but it appears to not be the case anymore... Whenever I try to connect to an ad hoc network from within Settings on the iPhone I get "Unable to join the network" message.

[Art Geigel]

WTF, just for fun I reset my iPhone and tried to connect to the ad hoc network again and I was able to... if you're seeing the connection problem I described above may want to try this.

[David Doria]

@Moshe Any thoughts as to WHY this functionality is not enabled/allowed? It seems strange to me.

[Moshe]

Probably limitations of earlier devices. Of course there are some surprises coming this fall. Watch session 708 from WWDC 2013.

[SeB.Fr]

For jailbroken ios you can use Mywy or Pdanet to create hadoc wifi network