[Bug] iOS/iPadOS App connects only sporadically via local Wi-Fi since update to 2026.3.x (Browser works fine)

[815rx1]

Describe the bug
Since the latest update to Home Assistant Core 2026.3.1 and Companion App version 2026.3.0, the iOS and iPadOS apps are only connecting sporadically when I am at home on my local Wi-Fi. The connection via external URL (cellular/outside) works perfectly fine every time. Accessing Home Assistant via Safari on the exact same device and Wi-Fi network also works flawlessly without any delays.

It seems the app fails to recognize the current Wi-Fi network correctly and drops the local connection, forcing a fallback or timing out.

To Reproduce

1. Update Home Assistant to Core 2026.3.1 and iOS App to 2026.3.0.
2. Connect the iPhone/iPad to the local Home Wi-Fi.
3. Open the Home Assistant Companion App.
4. The connection hangs, fails, or is established only after a long delay / sporadically.
5. Open Safari on the same device and go to the local IP/URL -> Connection is established instantly.

Expected behavior
The app should seamlessly connect to the Internal URL when connected to the home Wi-Fi, just like it did prior to the update.

Screenshots / Logs
I am not attaching full logs for privacy reasons, but looking at the exported App Logs (HomeAssistant-Extensions-Widgets.txt & clientEvents.json), I noticed the following suspicious entries when the app tries to connect:
`text
[Verbose] [main] [ConnectivityWrapper.swift:121] syncNetworkInformation(completion:) > Current SSID: nil, current BSSID: nil

Didn't update: location update from the past [...] error: locationUpdateTooOld
It seems the app cannot resolve the SSID (nil`) despite having all permissions.

Environment:

• App Version: 2026.3.0 (Build: 2026.1826)
• iOS/iPadOS Version: 26.3
• Home Assistant Core: 2026.3.1
• Home Assistant Supervisor: 2026.02.3
• Home Assistant Operating System: 17.1
• Home Assistant Frontend: 20260304.0

Additional context
I have already double-checked all iOS system permissions. The app has:

• Location set to "Always" / "While using" WITH "Precise Location" enabled.
• "Local Network" permission is turned ON.
• The home Wi-Fi SSID is correctly entered in the Companion App settings.
• I even toggled the Local Network permission off and on again and restarted the device, but the issue persists. The issue is strictly limited to the companion app, the browser on the same device has no issues.

[815rx1]

Suspected Root Cause (WebSocket & App Restart)
Given that Safari works perfectly, and a freshly reset app works flawlessly on the very first launch, I strongly suspect this is related to how the app handles the persistent WebSocket connection upon waking up, restarting, or switching networks. It seems like the WebSocket reconnect logic might be failing, hanging, or timing out on the local network since the 2026.3.x update, preventing the app from fully loading the UI. The issue only appears after the app is closed and restarted.

The same issue occurs on iOS and iPadOS.

[d3faulter]

I have been experiencing this exact thing for 2 weeks now (likely longer but can't say for sure). I only just updated to 2026.3 from 2026.2.

Only iOS companion app via local connection affected for me.

Android companion app, browser and Tailscale connection all work fine.

[d3faulter]

Seems like duplicate of #4375

[Bulli714]

Same problem here, using iPadOS 26.4