Install the app
Download nOversight
Get it from the App Store. The app is free to start.
Open it and follow the setup guide
The guide explains each permission as it asks for it. Location lets nOversight place readings on the map.
Set up the Shortcut
Apple does not let apps read detailed Wi-Fi connection data directly. Its Shortcuts app can, and you stay in control of it. nOversight adds a Shortcut called Network to nOversight.
Add the Shortcut from nOversight
Follow the setup guide in the app. It opens the Shortcuts app with Network to nOversight ready to add.
Choose Always Allow
When iOS asks whether the Shortcut may send data to nOversight, choose Always Allow. With any other answer, readings may not reach nOversight.
Return to nOversight
Switch back to the app. Nothing is collected until you tap Play.
Walk your first test
Walk the places where Wi-Fi matters. Join the Wi-Fi you want to test. Follow the route people use and pause where calls or apps struggle.
Connect and start
Set up the Shortcut, join the network and tap Play. Use Pro to record a walk you want to keep.
Walk and pause
Move at a normal pace. Pause in the rooms or spots that matter. For a call problem, make a live call during the test and keep nOversight on screen where your device allows it.
Review the route
Look at the signal, changes of access point and findings. Repeat the same route after a change, with the same device and similar conditions.
Add the Wi-Fi details recorded by iOS
A diagnostic capture, called a sysdiagnose, adds retries, channel busyness and Apple’s roam record. Take it on the same phone soon after the test. Importing it on iPhone or iPad needs nOversight Pro.
Save the walk
Stop and save the recording in nOversight. Note the time and which device you used.
Start the capture
Press Volume Up, Volume Down and the side button (the top button on iPad) together, then release after half a second to a second. On iPhone you feel a buzz and a screenshot is taken to show it has started; ignore the screenshot and any “Diagnostics are in flight” message. iPad gives no sign that it has started, and neither shows when it has finished.
Press all three together, then release after half a second to a second. Wait for the file
iOS takes a few minutes to gather the logs. With the button press there is no sign when it has finished, so check the list below and open it again if the file isn’t there yet. Then open Settings › Privacy & Security › Analytics & Improvements › View Analytics Logs. On earlier iOS versions the last item is called Analytics Data. The quickest way on any version: open Settings, swipe down, search for “Analytics”, and open the analytics list from there. If the file is not listed yet, go back and open the list again.
In the analytics list, swipe down and search for sys to find the sysdiagnose_ files. Share it to nOversight
Tap the newest file whose name starts with
sysdiagnose_, tap Share and choose nOversight. Save to Files also works if you want to import it later or move it to a Mac.Open the file, tap Share, and choose nOversight (or AirDrop it to a Mac, or save it to Files). Check the walk
Open the walk. Retries and channel busyness now appear next to the live readings. Some readings depend on the iOS version, so a capture may not include all of them.
Screenshot to followios-after-import.pngAfter the import: retries and channel busyness on the walk.
Next steps
- Measured, estimated and missing values: which values are worked out rather than read.
- Exporting results: CSV export with masking.
- Good signal, slow Wi-Fi: what to look for once you have a capture.