Connect to Wi-Fi networks on your Android device

To use Wi-Fi the way you want, you can change how and when your phone connects.

When you have Wi-Fi turned on, your phone automatically connects to nearby Wi-Fi networks you've connected to before. You can also set your phone to automatically turn on Wi-Fi near saved networks.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 10 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn on & connect

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  3. Turn on Use Wi-Fi.
  4. Tap a listed network. Networks that require a password have a Lock .

Tip: After you connect, the network is "Saved." When your phone is near and Wi-Fi is on, your phone automatically connects to this network.

Connect via notification
When Wi-Fi is on, you get notifications of available, high-quality, public networks. On these notifications:
  • To connect to the network, tap Connect.
  • To change Wi-Fi settings, tap All Networks.
  • To not get notifications for that network, clear the notification. Learn how to control notifications.
Compare networks' strength & speed

Strength

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  3. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  4. The network's signal strength is on the Wi-Fi icon . A fuller icon means a stronger signal.

Speed

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  3. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  4. The connection speed is under a public network's name. Speed can change with signal strength.
    • Slow: You can send and receive emails and texts. Images appear slowly.
    • OK: You can read webpages, use social media, and stream music and standard-definition (SD) videos.
    • Fast: You can stream most high-definition (HD) videos and make video calls.
    • Very Fast: You can stream very high-quality videos.
If you don't want your device to show network speed:
  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  3. Tap Wi-Fi preferences and then Advanced and then Network rating provider and then None.

Change, add, share, or remove saved networks

Change a saved network

Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
    • To move between listed networks, tap a network name.
    • To change a network's settings, tap the network.
Add

Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

Option 1: Reload network list

If the network you want isn't listed, but is nearby, wait for the list to refresh.

Option 2: Add network

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  3. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  4. At the bottom of the list, tap Add network.
    • You may need to enter the network name (SSID) and security details.
  5. Tap Save.

Share Wi-Fi info with a friend

Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.
  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  3. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  4. Tap a network and then Share.
  5. Your phone will give you a QR code. To join the same network, scan the code on another device.
Remove saved networks

Important: Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
  2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
  3. Touch and hold Wi-Fi .
  4. Touch and hold a saved network.
  5. Tap Forget network.

Related articles

Was this helpful?
How can we improve it?