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Why Does My iPhone Say SSL Error?

As an iPhone owner, I know the frustration of seeing an SSL error pop up on my screen. It’s a common issue that can be difficult to troubleshoot, but I was determined to find a solution. After doing some research and testing, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned about this error and possible solutions. In this blog post, I’ll explain why your iPhone might be displaying an SSL error and what you can do to fix it.

Outdated operating systems, glitches, disabled location services, dating issues, and even the network settings themselves are possible culprits to consider with SSL problems.

In this article, we’re going to look at the reasons behind the annoying SSL errors on iPhones and how to fix them, so hang tight!

CauseSolution
Outdated iOSUpdate iOS to the latest version through the Software Update settings
Outdated AppsUpdate apps through the App Store to ensure compatibility with your iPhone’s SSL components
Communication GlitchToggle Airplane Mode or restart your iPhone to refresh the system
Disabled Location ServiceActivate Location Services in the Settings app
Incorrect Date and TimeAdjust Date and Time settings manually, then restart your iPhone
Corrupted Network SettingsReset Network Settings in the General settings, and set up your WiFi connection again

Why Does My iPhone Say SSL Error? 

Secure Socket Layer or SSL was developed by Netscape in 1995 to provide privacy to its users when using the internet.

While we’re all thankful for SSL, it can be frustrating to keep on getting errors, especially if we don’t know why this is happening.

So, let’s take a look at the common reasons and how you can fix them:

  1.  Outdated iOS

If your iPhone runs on an outdated iOS operating system, chances are it’ll fail to establish communication when you browse the internet.

It’s because the site you’re trying to access is using the latest SSL while your device is using an old one. To fix that, you have to update your iOS to its latest version to match what the site has.

How to Update iOS

  • Get your phone connected to WiFi. 
  • Click Settings, then press General.
  • Open Software Update, then check if it says “Update Available.”
  • Download the update and restart when it’s done.
  • Relaunch the browser and check if the SSL error is cleared. 
  1. Outdated Apps

Another reason why your iPhone is getting SSL errors is because the app you’re trying to launch is not updated.

In other words, the old version of the app is not compatible with your iPhone’s SSL components.

How to Update Apps 

  • Press your iPhone’s App Store.
  • Tap your profile icon.
  • Press Update All to get the latest versions of all your installed apps.
  • Once you’re done with updates, restart your phone.
  1. Communication Glitch

A computerized system glitches mainly because of hiccups with the operating system. This temporary malfunction could cause an SSL error on your iPhone. 

To fix that glitch, you can either use Airplane Mode or restart your iPhone to reinitiate the system. 

How to Toggle Airplane Mode

  • Go to Settings App.
  • Turn on the Airplane Mode.
  • Wait for a few seconds. 
  • Turn off the Airplane to refresh the system.

How to Restart iPhones

  • Press the Settings app.
  • Scroll down, then click General.
  • Look for the Shutdown button, then press it. 
  • Drag the Power slider to the right to turn the phone off. 
  • Wait for a few seconds before turning the phone on.
  1. Disabled Location Service

Some people don’t like leaving their location exposed all day long, so they turn the feature off. However, iPhones could also get SSL errors when the location services are disabled.

You can tell that this is the case if the error appears only on applications that require location access to function.

How to Activate Location Services

  • Tap on the Settings app.
  • Open the Location Services, then turn it on. 
  • Check if you could access the app by relaunching it once again.
  1. Incorrect Date and Time

You may be getting an SSL error because your iPhone was set with an incorrect date and time. In that case, the website you’re trying to access can’t authenticate your phone’s data because of the inconsistencies.

Instead, you’ll want to let the server analyze SSL data packets by setting your phone’s date and time correctly. 

Read more: Why do my iPhone chargers keep dying?

How to Adjust Date and Time 

  • Tap the Settings app.
  • Press General.
  • Press Date & Time.
  • Switch off the Set Automatically feature.
  • Correct the date and time by adjusting them manually.
  • Restart your iPhone.
  1. Corrupted Network Settings

Corrupted Network Settings are yet another reason your iPhone could be getting SSL errors.

Resetting it can resolve the issue. However, it’s worth noting that having the Network Settings reset will delete all data related to your WiFi and internet.

So, it’s better to make sure you have your passwords recorded somewhere else. Then, follow the steps below when you’re done securing important data.

How to Reset Network Settings

  • Press the Settings app.
  • Tap on General.
  • Open Reset, then press Reset Network Settings.
  • Key in your passcode.
  • Tap Reset Network Settings on the pop-up window to confirm.
  • Set up your WiFi connection using the info you recorded on the side.
  • Try connecting to the internet using your browser. 

Read more: Why does my iPhone battery drain overnight?

Final Thoughts

To fix the SSL error message on your iPhone, you might need to try two or even more of the procedures explained above to see which one strikes the root cause.

In most cases, the process doesn’t require professional help, but if all else fails, you can always just contact Apple’s customer service.