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Apple patents faster Wi-Fi switching between multiple routers

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

This filing describes a method for a device to quickly switch its Wi-Fi connection to a different router when the current link drops. The device sends a specific request to the new router, which then retrieves the necessary connection details from the old router to maintain the session without interruption.

Why it mattersThis could make Wi-Fi connections more stable in homes or offices using multiple linked routers, reducing the chance of dropped calls or paused video streams.

In the filing’s own words

This disclosure relates to methods for roaming through a target access point in a wireless local area network. A non-access point device can determine that a wireless link with a serving access point device is disconnected. The non-access point device can generate and transmit signaling to a target access point device that includes a request for a route switch from the serving access point device to the target access point device. The serving access point device and the target access point device can be associated with the same multi-link multi-device system. The target access point device can attempt to obtain context information for the non-access point from the serving access point device. The target access point device can generate and provide signaling to the non-access point device that includes a response to the request for the route switch.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method for operation in wireless communication, comprising: determining that a first wireless link with a serving access point is disconnected, wherein the first access point is associated with a first multi-link multi-device (MLMD); transmitting, to a target access point that is associated with the first MLMD, based at least in part on determining that the first wireless link with the first access point is disconnected and the second access point being associated with the first MLMD, one or more of a link addition request or a route switch request; and receiving, from the target access point, one or more of a link addition response or a route switch response.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Roaming Through a Target Access Point
Publication number
US20260323459A1
Application number
19290043
Filed
Aug 4, 2025
Published
Oct 15, 2026
Inventors
10
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 36/305 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0053 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/043 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/249 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.