Villanova’s wireless networks are compatible with Apple privacy features such as iCloud Private Relay. These settings help protect user privacy by masking or randomizing device identifiers while connected to Wi-Fi. Our systems are designed to support these features while maintaining secure and reliable access to University resources. However, if users experience slower connections or difficulty accessing certain services, temporarily disabling these settings may help improve performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do these Apple settings interfere with Wi-Fi?
Villanova’s wireless networks are compatible with Apple privacy features such as iCloud Private Relay. However, if you are visiting another university or location, you may notice trouble accessing certain services when iCloud Private Relay is enabled. iCloud Private Relay routes your traffic through two separate relays, masking your device’s IP address. Wi-Fi networks are often configured to ensure secure and private connectivity to campus services. Settings such as "Limit IP Address Tracking" and "Private Wi-Fi Address" also change or obscure your identity on the network, which can break access controls and session continuity and results in an unreliable connection on certain networks.
Do disabling these settings reduce my privacy or security?
Villanova’s wireless networks are compatible with Apple privacy features such as iCloud Private Relay and if you disable iCloud Private Relay, VUMobile is already configured to support private, authenticated, and encrypted traffic designed to protect your data. Your web traffic remains encrypted end-to-end (HTTPS) even with Private Relay off. However, when disabling Apple iCloud Private Relay features on networks managed by other organizations, these privacy or security features may not apply.
How do I enable iCloud Private Relay settings on my device?
To enable these settings for your device, please follow the instructions below. You can leave it on for any other Wi-Fi network.
On iPhone/iPad (iOS/iPadOS):
- Navigate to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Private Relay
- Ensure Private Relay is turned ON
- Return to Settings → Wi-Fi
- Tap the ⓘ next to VUMobile or VUGuest
- Ensure Limit IP Address Tracking is turned ON (this enables Private Relay for that network)
- If you experience connectivity issues, try toggling Private Wi-Fi Address OFF
- Toggle Wi-Fi off/on and rejoin the network
On Mac (macOS):
- Navigate to Apple menu → System Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Private Relay
- Ensure Private Relay is turned ON
- Go to System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi
- Click Details/ⓘ next to VUMobile or VUGuest
- Ensure Limit IP Address Tracking is turned ON
- If issues persist, try turning Private Wi-Fi Address OFF
- Turn Wi-Fi off/on and reconnect to the network
How do I disable iCloud Private Relay settings for Wi-Fi networks?
To disable these settings for campus networks, please follow the instructions below. You can leave it on for any other Wi-Fi network.
On iPhone/iPad (iOS/iPadOS):
- Navigate to Settings → Wi-Fi
- Tap the ⓘ next to VUMobile or VUGuest
- Turn off Limit IP Address Tracking (also disables iCloud Private Relay)*
- Turn off Private Wi-Fi Address (if issues persist)
- Toggle Wi-Fi off/on and rejoin
On Mac (macOS):
- Navigate to System Settings → Wi-Fi
- Click Details/ⓘ for VUMobile or VUGuest
- Turn off Limit IP Address Tracking (also disables iCloud Private Relay)*
- Turn off Private Wi-Fi Address (if issues persist)
- Turn Wi-Fi off/on and rejoin
*If you turn off Limit IP Address Tracking for a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, iCloud Private Relay is turned off for this network across all your devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.