Configuring the FRITZ!Box for Wi-Fi Connections with WPA3

The FRITZ!Box supports WPA3, the new standard for authenticating and encrypting Wi-Fi networks. Among other improvements, WPA3 offers better protection than WPA2 from offline dictionary attacks. In such attacks, the attacker runs through a "dictionary" of passwords until the right network key is found.

Using WPA3 with the FRITZ!Box

The first wireless devices with WPA3 are on the market. However, it will take some time before WPA3 becomes established, and not all older wireless devices will receive an update to WPA3.

As long as so many devices without WPA3 are still in use, you can configure the WPA mode "WPA2 + WPA3" (transition mode) in the FRITZ!Box, which supports WPA3 and WPA2 connections concurrently.

Rules

  • Wi-Fi connections encrypted with WPA3 have to be set up manually. WPS cannot be used to establish WPA3 connections.
  • When the FRITZ!Box is switched to "WPA2 + WPA3", some wireless devices will lose their connection and have to be registered with the FRITZ!Box again.
  • For the Wi-Fi connection to be established using WPA3, on some wireless devices the Wi-Fi connection to the FRITZ!Box must be deleted and a new connection set up.

Wireless Devices with WPA3

The following wireless devices and operating systems currently support WPA3:

  • Windows 10 Version 1903 or later in combination with
    • wireless adapter compatible with WPA3 (for instance, the latest generation INTEL AX200)
    • up-to-date driver software for the wireless adapter
  • iPhone 7 or newer
  • iOS and iPadOS version 13 or higher
  • Samsung Galaxy S10
  • Android 10 in combination with a smartphone or tablet that supports WPA3

Instructions: Configuring WPA2 + WPA3 (Transition Mode) in the FRITZ!Box

  1. Open the user interface (http://fritz.box).
  2. Select "Wi-Fi / Security".
  3. Select the WPA mode "WPA2 + WPA3".
  4. Click on "Apply".
  5. Re-register all of those wireless devices with the FRITZ!Box that lost their Wi-Fi connection to the FRITZ!Box.

Troubleshooting Malfunctions

See Troubleshooting Malfunctions While Establishing WPA3 Connections.