cannot seem to get the Lionel wi-fi to find my apple phone

If you are using Legacy, your software must be ver 1.52, or greater.

When you connect the Wi-Fi module, is must be first with any other PDI module connection through it.  Until you get it working, I would leave everything else disconnected.  Check your wiring and be sure you have power.

• If you are connected to your TMCC or Legacy base, check your wiring.  If it is not connected correctly, the PDI light will remain on.  Make sure the base/no base switch is set to base.  If you are not connected to your base, set the switch to no base.
• If you are connecting directly (not connect to your home router) set the access/join switch to access.

At this point the Wi-Fi light should be on.  It will blink when a client connects and flicker with activity.  At this point it should show in setting as a network for your phone or any other device.

Let us know how you make out.

John,

The newer IOS may be the problem, Lionel has not updated the APP for many years. I still use an iPhoneX  and it has never worked with the Lionel WIFI. I have an older iPad Mini with IOS 9.3 and it works perfectly fine.

Just letting to you what I have experienced, hopefully this helps you out, others may be able to help you do better. I do not remember the IOS version when the problem first began, I believe it was somewhere around IOS 10. There will be a new APP released by Lionel when the new base is released.

Good luck, hope you get it working.

I feel your pain @J M W . I got my Lionel WIFI module about a little less than 1.5 years ago. I was using an iPhone 6s at the time(the result of years of laziness, apple account issues, and a ruined computer). Anyway, I was able to fit the app on my phone(which was running IOS 9, 10 or 11)  and on an iPad that was at the current software. I followed the instructions and the module's wifi network would NOT show up on my phone or iPad for about a week. Eventually, I got it working and my phone found the module's wifi, then it went back to no signal, about a week later I got the signal again and it hasn't reappeared since.

Just wanted to share my experience and let you know you aren't the only one to encounter this issue.

The problem is not IOS.  I am running 15.6.1 and everything works fine.  Since the OP cannot see the Wi-Fi signal the problem is the Wi-Fi module not his phone.

I'd start by trying to find it with another phone.