WPA2WPA3

WPA2WPA3 transitional mode, commonly labeled WPA2/WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode, is a network security configuration that allows a Wi-Fi network to accept both WPA2 and WPA3 clients. It was introduced by the Wi‑Fi Alliance to ease the transition from WPA2 to WPA3 by preserving compatibility with older devices while enabling newer security features for capable clients.

In practice, the access point advertises support for both security suites. WPA3-capable devices use the Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) handshake for password-based authentication and can benefit from stronger protection and forward secrecy. Older WPA2 devices fall back to the WPA2-PSK (or WPA2-EAP) handshake. The mixed mode thus enables connection for a wide range of devices, but the strongest protections are available only to devices that support WPA3.

Security considerations include a trade-off between compatibility and maximum protection. Mixed mode can be less secure than a pure WPA3 configuration because some clients rely on WPA2 methods, potentially limiting features like forward secrecy for all connections. Enabling Protected Management Frames (PMF) and using a strong, unique passphrase helps mitigate risks, but PMF support varies by device.

Usage guidance suggests deploying WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode during transitional periods when there are diverse devices. Keep firmware up to date, enable PMF where possible, and monitor device compatibility. When all devices support WPA3, migrating to WPA3-only improves security; for networks requiring legacy device support, mixed mode provides a practical compromise.