Apple has introduced a rebranded networking feature in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 called Connectivity Assist, which aims to help users maintain a more reliable internet connection on their devices. The feature appears in the Settings app under Wi-Fi and replaces the longtime Wi-Fi Assist option that has been available on earlier versions of iOS.
What Is Connectivity Assist?
According to Apple, Connectivity Assist allows your iPhone or iPad to use cellular data alongside Wi-Fi to deliver a more stable internet connection. While Apple confirms that the feature is the new name for Wi-Fi Assist, it has not clarified whether any major functionality changes are included.
On previous versions of iOS, Wi-Fi Assist automatically switched to cellular data whenever a Wi-Fi connection became weak or unreliable. However, some early iOS 27 beta testers believe Connectivity Assist works more actively and may combine Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity in certain situations, although Apple has not confirmed this behavior.
Several beta users, including myself, saw a new Intelligent Connectivity notification when Connectivity Assist became active. This suggests the feature may respond faster when network quality drops.
Apple also says iOS 27 delivers smoother transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, helping users stay connected while moving between locations, making activities such as navigation and FaceTime calls more seamless.
