I cannot connect to my school/district’s WiFi network. Can I use an ad-hoc WiFi network?
Yes, if you have a WiFi card in your computer you can set up an ad-hoc WiFi network to transfer data from your computer to your iPhone OS device.
If you are using a Macintosh, follow the steps below:
- On your computer, open System Preferences. Open Network.
- Highlight the AirPort icon. Write down the Network Name currently selected (you will need this to re-establish your regular network connection).
- From the Network Name menu, select Create Network.
- Give the network a name (ie, Adhoc). The default channel should be fine. Click Require Password. Enter and verify a password for the network. Click OK.
- Open Principalm Connect. Assuming you have school(s) already configured, from the Destination drop down, select iPhone Update Service. Enter and confirm a password, if you have not done so. Then click Update Now.
- On your iPhone OS device, select Settings | WiFi. Write down the WiFi network currently selected (you will need this to re-establish your regular WiFi connection).
- Click WiFi. Click the name of the adhoc network you just created (ie, Adhoc).
- Click Settings, then return to your list of Applications.
- Assuming Principalm Connect has finished updating (you will see the message “Update device has completed…” ), open Principalm. Click Sync. Select your computer name. The data will be transferred from your computer to your iPhone OS device.
- When the transfer is complete you will be asked for your password. Enter it and click Go. You will be brought into Principalm.
- When finished, on your computer in System Preferences | Network, select your typical network from the Network Name drop down. Then on your iPhone OS device in Settings | WiFi, select your typical WiFi network.
Assuming you saved the ad-hoc network you created, in the future when you wish to update your data in Principalm on your device you only need to select the adhoc network you created, update to the iPhone Update Service with Principalm Connect, then sync with your iPhone OS device. And when the data transfer is complete, select your typical networks on both you computer and iPhone OS device.
Note for iOS 3GS devices:
We have found that you may need to turn on airplane mode in order to successfully connect to the ad-hoc WiFi network:
- On your iPhone, open Settings.
- Turn Airplane Mode ON.
- Click Wi-Fi.
- Turn Wi-Fi ON.
- Choose your Adhoc network.
- Then go into Principalm and sync the data from your computer to your iPhone.
After the data transfer is complete, please turn Airplane Mode back OFF and connect to your typical Wi-Fi network.
Note for iOS 4 devices:
We have found that you may need to turn off 3G in order to successfully connect to the ad-hoc WiFi network:
- On your iPhone, open Settings.
- Click General, then Network.
- Turn Enable 3G OFF.
After the transfer is complete with Principalm Connect, please turn 3G back on and connect to your typical Wi-Fi network.
If you are using Windows, click your operating system version to see the steps: