Solution iPhone iOS14 recognizing the range extender wireless network as "weak security"
Problem phenomenon:
If you have since updated your iPhone you may see the range extender’s Wi-Fi shown as having weak security. This is due to the range extender supporting the mixed WPA/WPA2 (AES/TKIP) by default for compatibility purposes. The iPhone now recognizes WPA as a weak security type. This may also be the same with other security suites with a similar notification.
Why range extender network is displayed as “Weak Security”?
A range extender is essentially a device that connects to an existing Wi-Fi hotspot and repeats the signal, so generally, it will generate the wireless security of the host Wi-Fi hotspot. While the default wireless security of the TP-Link range extender itself was auto, it supports WPA2+AES, as well as older WPA+TKIP for compatibility with older devices. Even though your iOS device recognizes the range extender network as weak security, it connects to the network with the stronger WPA2+AES by default, so there won’t be any security concerns upon to this point.
Troubleshooting : What to do if IOS devices shows ' weak security'?
Steps 1
Make sure main router is on WPA2-PSK (AES) and IOS devices does not show' weak security' when connected to main router
Here is a related guide to check security type on router:
Why my iOS14 warning weak security when I connect to TP-Link Wi-Fi
Step 2
Confirm Range extender is on the latest firmware :
Download the latest firmware for range extender from tp-link Download Center or make sure firmware is up-to-date on TP-Link Tether APP.
(select hardware version first before download the corresponding latest firmware)
Step 3
Restore the range extender to the factory default settings and re-associate the host Wi-Fi through the web page Quick Setup Guidance is as below:
https://www.tp-link.com/support/faq/2485/
RESET: with RE powered on, use a pin to push the reset hole until all the LEDs flash once
Note: if you use Tether app to install Range extender, update Tether app in Google Play or APP store first before set up.
If the above does not fix the problem, please report back with some information to help locate the issue:
1. Model of router & a photo of the wireless security settings on router
2. firmware and hardware version of range extender, better to attach a photo showing weak security
3. do you use Web or Tether to set up the extender
Note:
If some of your devices cannot connect to the whole Wi-Fi network after these modifications, you may need to change the wireless security back.
Let the community know if you have any further inquiries, thanks a lot~
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Unable to Connect to WiFi Extender or Saying Incorrect Password
What should I do if Internet speed becomes slow via Range Extender?
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@Solla-topee Hello.
After reading the different threads and try to apply all the workarounds, I still got the issue with my RE200 V1 bought as new there was only one day.
This is frustrating !
Here the firmware version : 1.0.8 Build 20210916 Rel. 59255
+ I used the lateste version of the Tether app from IOS.
I re-set with the reset button all the configurations after get these two versions.
For more details :
- with the 2,4 Ghz, I don't get the "weak" message and I can connect on it (tested with my iphone 13 and my fixed computer with Windows 10)
- with the 5 GHz, I get the "weak" message. My iphone 13 connects on it, notifying me that the WPA2-TKIP is considered as no secured. And my windows 10 purely refused to connect on it, notifying me about a "weak" wifi network.
Could a patch or a new build be adressed to correct my issue pleased ?
Thank you by advance,
Regards.
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Hello @Nozostan
Make sure router 5Ghz Wi-Fi is also using WPA2-PSK(AES). The latest hardware version of RE200 is V5 for now. Considering RE200 V1 is quite outdated, personally, I'd recommend considering a newer model or model coming with newer hardware version to upgrade the security.
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@Solla-topee Hello,
Thank you for your answer.
I checked the source Network before to send my previous message and the security is correctly set.
I also checked that I have the "weak" message only when I connect on the extended network.
"The latest hardware version of RE200 is V5 for now, Considering RE200 V1 is quite outdated." --> sadly, yours vendors don't notify about the version they are selling. And even if the V1 is outdated, it can still be bought easily (I got mine yesterday from Amazon)
So when you say me "personally, I'd recommend considering a newer model or model coming with newer hardware version", I read "Sorry for your buying of our model car that we still sold on the market without the key to start it and without warning about it, but this is sadly the fate for you, manage by yourself your product and please buy our new models sold with the key"
This is quite ... humm ... disapointing.
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@Solla-topee I see no 2022 firmware anyware on those links you wrote in the updated message. The is no "RE200 _V2_ Build20191016 " with 2022 date. How to proceed? Latest firmware is from year 2018
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@fernandog Hello.
If it could be usefull, I can see the build from this july 2022 on the web page https://www.tp-link.com/fr/support/download/re200/v2/#Firmware
When I go down, there are three firmware versions listed and the first one is the "RE200_V2_191016", realeased since the 2022-07-04.
(the two others are the RE200(EU)_V2_181113 with 2018-11-19 as realeased date and the RE200(EU)_V2_181026 with 2018-11-07 as realeased date)
Hoping it could help (because it seems too obvious to be that 
and maybe there is another issue).
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Hello @Nozostan Thank you for sharing more information, I'd share your feedback with related team to reevaluate the made of beta firmware of RE200 V1 . If possible, can you share with the purchase link with me via private message, that may help when we discuss this topic. Consider some new hardware version contained this improvement, I'd recommend checking with local retailers and see if they have any newer hardware version for sale or consider the models that already has this implement in its firmware as listed in the first page. Thank you for your understanding!
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Hello @fernandog
You could check RE200 V2 the latest firmware from the link here, RE200(EU)V2 firmware / RE200(US) V2 firmware .Hope this helps!
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@Solla-topee I have RE 200 V4 and the firmware version shows to be the latest - 1.0.8 Build 20210916 Rel. 59255 (6985). However I continue to face the "weak security" message both in iPhone and Windows 10 laptop. Is there any firmware update in the pipeline that will resolve issue for V4?
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Hello @Sydheart
RE200 V4 should have fixed this on the firmware that released in 202009 and later firmware. I'd recommended confirming your router is WPA2-AES, then factory reset extender as suggestion on page 1 of this thread and reinstall the range extender. (use the latest Tether app or web page)
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@Nozostan thanks, but I can't see the new firmware to my region. I see the new firmware in the French page. the webPage auto redirects to my region, but I manage to see the French one.
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