From what I've read, nearbyWiFiDevices and Local Network permissions are different permissions.

If you take a look at Permission enum documentation, it says that this permission is available only on Android 13+(i.e not on iOS).

Here is an Apple article explaining what is Local Network permission.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102229

And here is a way to "control" when to show a Local Network permission dialog. https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/663768

As for the best package for AP connection, you are pretty much using it already. In my experience, the connection you make is spotty, specifically the part when you connect to an AP. The next best thing is to create a connection method yourself using native code, unfortunately.