Sometimes while browsing the internet or visiting a website, you might encounter an SSL error on the Safari browser on your iPhone. This error prevents you from progressing to the website and may come with bugs and glitches. If you are wondering, How To Fix SSL Error On iPhone?
If you get this error pop-up frequently and are wondering how to fix it, follow this guide; it will show you how to fix this error. This article will guide you on How To Fix SSL Error On iPhone?
What is an SSL Error?
Before we delve into the fixes and solutions, you need to know what an SSL error means.
The full meaning of the SSL abbreviation is Secure Socket Layer. This is a former and outdated title as SSL is now referred to as TSL, which means Transport Security Layer.
The SSL error is a type of error that occurs when an obsolete version of an SSL certificate is observed instead of the updated TLS version. It is used to make an unsupervised connection with a website via a Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure extension (HTTPS).
There are multiple reasons why the SSL error could appear on your browser. To remove this error, there are some fixes that can help clear up this error message and restore your excellent browsing experience on your iPhone.
10 Ways To Fix SSL Error On iPhone
Multiple incorrect data and settings could affect your browser and generate an SSL error. We’ve highlighted ten fixes you can use to resolve SSL errors on your iPhone. This guide will tell you How To Fix SSL Error On iPhone and start following the steps.
Enable and Disable Airplane Mode
A common reason why an SSL error occurs is an irregular network connection. If your network connection is weak on your iPhone, this can affect your Safari web browser.
So an effective way of resetting your network connection is by turning on the airplane mode and then turning it off.
- 1. On your iPhone, swipe upwards on the screen to open the Control Center.
- 2. Tap on the Airplane Mode icon (it looks like an airplane) to turn on the feature. This feature disables your network connection and prevents your line from receiving any incoming calls or sent text messages.
- 3. Hold on for some minutes and turn off airplane mode. Then, reopen your Safari browser to see if the SSL error reoccurs.
Restart the Safari Browser
Another easy fix you can use is to restart the Safari browser. You can do this by exiting the app and opening it to clear cache and cookies that may not affect the app’s speed and connection.
Simply exit the app by pressing the home button once. Then go to the Recents view by pressing the home button twice.
Swipe upwards on the Safari page to exit the app. Then go back to the home screen to open the app.
After opening the app, check for SSL error messages to confirm if the method worked for you.
Adjust Date and Time on iPhone
Incorrect date and time settings on your iPhone can cause SSL errors. Use the steps below to adjust the date and time according to the network-provided time and date setting.
- 1. On your iPhone’s home screen, tap on the Settings app icon.
- 2. Move to General.
- 3. Tap on the Date and Time setting.
- 4. Tap on the toggle switch on Set Automatically to enable it.
Delete Safari Browsing History and Data
Stocked-up piles of old browsing history, data, and cache can also cause the SSL error on your iPhone.
- 1. On your iPhone’s home screen, tap on the Settings app icon.
- 2. Tap on Safari.
- 3. Select Clear History and Website Data.
- 4. Select the Clear History and Data option to confirm the action.
Turn Off Safari Extensions
On Safari, there are extra extensions added by Apple to help boost and improve browsing speed and strength. Unfortunately, some of these extensions could affect the browser’s interface and cause an SSL error.
In this case, it’s advised to turn off these Safari extensions. To do so, use the step-by-step process below.
- 1. On your iPhone’s home screen, launch the Settings app icon.
- 2. Tap on Safari.
- 3. Tap on the Extensions section.
- 4. Tap on toggle switches to disable the added extensions.
- 5. Reopen the Safari browser to see if the error is resolved.
Update to the Latest iOS Software
If your iPhone is out of date, this could affect your Safari browser and other system applications on your iPhone. To prevent this, update your iPhone to the latest released iOS software.
- 1. Open the Settings app icon on your iPhone’s home screen.
- 2. Next, navigate to General.
- 3. Select Software Updates.
- 4. Since your iPhone is out of date, you ought to see a newer iOS software version,its unique features, and details about the storage size of the update.
Tap on Download and Install to update to the latest iOS version.
After installing the iOS update, open your Safari browser to confirm if the error pop-up has been removed.
Reboot iPhone or WiFi
As mentioned earlier, an important cause of an SSL error is a weak or corrupt WiFi network. If this applies to you, try rebooting your iPhone and WiFi router.
- 1. Press the power button on the right side of your iPhone.
- 2. The Power Mode appears. Next, drag the power off icon on the screen to switch off your iPhone.
If your WiFi router is the source of this error, locate the power button and turn it off.
- 3. After waiting for some time, turn your iPhone on by pressing the power button on the side of the iPhone.
Uninstall the App Affected by the SSL Error
Not only your Safari browser app can get affected, but all other important applications like Chrome or Opera browsers on your iPhone may have the SSL error.
In cases like these, simply uninstall the app and then reinstall it back into your iPhone.
You can uninstall apps directly from your iPhone’s home screen by pressing the app’s icon till an ‘–’ icon is shown at the top left corner of the iPhone.
When you tap on this ‘–,’ you’ll be asked if you simply want to remove the app’s icon from your home screen or permanently delete the app from your iPhone.
Next, select the Delete App option and go to the Apple App Store to download and reinstall the app to your iPhone.
Use of iTunes Restore
This method is most suitable for users with newer models of iPhones like iPhones 12 and 13. This fix is very effective, but it has a drawback: possible data loss on your iTunes app. Here are the steps to fix the issue.
- 1. On your computer, install and open the iTunes app.
- 2. Using a USB cable, connect your computer to your iPhone.
- 3. After connecting your iPhone, some options will display on your iPhone screen. Here, tap on Summary.
- 4. Next, select the Restore icon to help fix the SSL error detected on your iPhone.
Format Network Settings
Another great fix for resolving SSL errors is formatting network settings. These settings include saved Bluetooth and WiFi connections.
Using this method will altogether remove all your saved networks so use this method as a last resort if any of the nine fixes above didn’t work.
And here’s how to do it.
- 1. Search and tap on the Settings icon to open the app.
- 2. Navigate your way to the General settings.
- 3. Tap on the Transfer or Reset iPhone setting.
- 4. Next, select the Reset option.
After doing so, enter your iPhone’s security password or use the Face ID or Touch ID to confirm the setting.
FAQs On SSL Error On iPhone
This error is primarily caused when an outdated version of an SSL certificate is observed instead of the updated TLS version and is used to make an unsupervised connection with a website via a Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure extension (HTTPS).
– Adjust the date and time accurately.
– Erase your Chrome browser’s browsing history, data, and cache.
– Update the browser to the latest version.
– Uninstall antivirus apps from your phone.
– Format your Android device.
To enable SSL or TLS trust certificates,
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Move to the General settings.
Tap on About.
Enable the SSL certificates under the Certificate Trust Settings section.
Failure to identify the SSL certificate of a website. Then, the SSL error is displayed to keep you away from the site due to its insecure server.
– Delete browser history and data.
– Reboot the affected app(s).
– Adjust the date and time settings accurately.
– Remove web browser extensions.
– Uninstall and reinstall the affected app(s).
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