Connect to FalconNet Wi-Fi – iPhone & iPad

Overview

FalconNet is the wireless network available to Cedar Crest College students, faculty, and staff throughout campus.

Follow these instructions to connect your iPhone or iPad to FalconNet and troubleshoot common wireless connection problems.

Note: Menu names and settings may vary slightly depending on your iOS or iPadOS version.

Before You Begin

Make sure that:

  • You are on the Cedar Crest College campus.
  • Wi-Fi is enabled on your iPhone or iPad.
  • You have your current Cedar Crest College FalconNet username and password.

If you recently changed your password, you may need to forget your saved FalconNet connection and reconnect.

Connect to FalconNet

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi.
  3. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  4. Under the available networks, select FalconNet.
  5. When prompted, enter your Cedar Crest College credentials:
    • Username: Your FalconNet username.
    • Password: Your current FalconNet password.
  6. Tap Join.
  7. If a certificate verification screen appears, verify that the certificate belongs to Cedar Crest College's authorized wireless authentication service before selecting Trust. If you cannot verify the certificate, do not accept it; contact IT Support for assistance.
  8. Wait for a checkmark to appear next to FalconNet.

Your device should now be connected to the campus wireless network.

Once connected, your iPhone or iPad should automatically reconnect to FalconNet whenever you return to campus.

Troubleshoot FalconNet Connection Problems

If your iPhone or iPad cannot connect, repeatedly asks for your password, or displays a wireless connection error, try the steps below.

Step 1: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

  1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
  2. Confirm that Wi-Fi is turned on.
  3. Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off.
  4. Turn Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
  5. Select FalconNet and try connecting again.

If FalconNet does not appear, move to another location on campus and check the available networks again.

Step 2: Forget FalconNet and Reconnect

If your device previously connected to FalconNet, it may have saved an outdated password or wireless configuration.

To remove the saved connection:

  1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
  2. Find FalconNet in the list.
  3. Tap the information icon (ⓘ) next to FalconNet.
  4. Select Forget This Network.
  5. Tap Forget to confirm.

If FalconNet is not currently available, you may find it under Settings → Wi-Fi → Edit, where previously known networks can be managed.

Reconnect to FalconNet:

  1. Return to Settings → Wi-Fi.
  2. Select FalconNet.
  3. Enter your current FalconNet username and password.
  4. Tap Join.
  5. Verify any certificate information before accepting it.

Once connected, open Safari and confirm that you can access a website.

Step 3: Restart Your iPhone or iPad

If forgetting and reconnecting does not resolve the issue:

  1. Turn off your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Wait approximately 15 seconds.
  3. Turn the device back on.
  4. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
  5. Select FalconNet and try connecting again.

Step 4: Check for Common Connection Issues

Incorrect Username or Password

Confirm you are entering your current FalconNet credentials.

If you recently changed your password, forget FalconNet and reconnect using your new password.

Unable to Join Network

If your device displays an Unable to Join Network message:

  1. Make sure you are selecting FalconNet.
  2. Forget the saved FalconNet connection.
  3. Restart your device.
  4. Try connecting again.

Certificate Verification Warning

Your device may display a certificate verification prompt when connecting to FalconNet.

Do not trust a certificate if its identity cannot be verified against information provided by Cedar Crest IT.

Connected but No Internet

If your device shows a checkmark next to FalconNet but cannot access the internet:

  1. Open Safari and try visiting another website.
  2. Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
  3. Restart your device.
  4. Try connecting from another campus location.

If other devices in the same location also cannot connect, the problem may be related to the campus network.

Step 5: Check Private Wi-Fi Address Settings

Apple devices use a feature called Private Wi-Fi Address to help protect your privacy when connecting to wireless networks.

In most cases, you can leave this feature enabled when connecting to FalconNet.

To review the setting:

  1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the information icon (ⓘ) next to FalconNet.
  3. Locate Private Wi-Fi Address.
  4. Depending on your iOS version, you may see:
  • Off: Uses the device's hardware MAC address.
  • Fixed: Uses a consistent private address for the network.
  • Rotating: Periodically changes the private address.

For normal FalconNet use, leave the default setting unless Cedar Crest IT instructs you otherwise.

Note: If your connection is affected by device registration or MAC address restrictions, IT Support may need to verify the address your device is using.

Step 6: Reset Network Settings (Last Resort)

If FalconNet still does not work, you can reset your device's network settings.

Warning: This will remove saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, along with certain other network and VPN settings.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone or Transfer or Reset iPad.
  4. Select Reset.
  5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
  6. Enter your device passcode if prompted.
  7. Confirm the reset.

After the reset completes, reconnect to FalconNet using the instructions above.

Still Need Help?

If you cannot connect to FalconNet after following these instructions, please submit an IT Support Request.

Include:

  • Your device model (iPhone or iPad)
  • Your iOS or iPadOS version, if known
  • Your location on campus (building and room, if applicable)
  • Any error messages displayed
  • Troubleshooting steps you have already attempted

For your security, do not include passwords or verification codes in your support request.

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