diff --git a/libraries/WiFi/src/WiFiAP.h b/libraries/WiFi/src/WiFiAP.h
index a9d8f551e51..7ac03034b4c 100644
--- a/libraries/WiFi/src/WiFiAP.h
+++ b/libraries/WiFi/src/WiFiAP.h
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ class WiFiAPClass
 public:
 
     bool softAP(const char* ssid, const char* passphrase = NULL, int channel = 1, int ssid_hidden = 0, int max_connection = 4, bool ftm_responder = false);
+    bool softAP(const String& ssid, const String& passphrase = emptyString, int channel = 1, int ssid_hidden = 0, int max_connection = 4, bool ftm_responder = false) {
+       return softAP(ssid.c_str(), passphrase.c_str(), channel, ssid_hidden, max_connection, ftm_responder);
+    }
+
     bool softAPConfig(IPAddress local_ip, IPAddress gateway, IPAddress subnet, IPAddress dhcp_lease_start = (uint32_t) 0);
     bool softAPdisconnect(bool wifioff = false);