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.

Note: Some of these steps work only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn on & connect

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then Wi-Fi.
  3. Turn on Use Wi-Fi.
  4. Tap a listed network. If it needs a password, you'll see the Lock Lock. After you connect:
    • "Connected" shows under the network name.
    • The network is "Saved." When your phone is near and Wi-Fi is on, your phone automatically connects.

Tip: You can also swipe down on your screen to get to Wi-Fi settings. Learn how.

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.

Tip: You can also connect to these networks without notifications. Learn how to connect automatically to open networks.

Compare strength & speed

From the listed networks, pick one that can do what you need.

Strength

Signal strength shows on the Wi-Fi icon Wi-Fi. A fuller icon means a stronger signal.

Speed

Connection speed shows under the names of public networks. 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 to see network speed, open your phone's Settings app and then Network & internet and then Wi-Fi and then Wi-Fi preferences and then Advanced and then Network rating provider and then None.

Change, add, or remove saved networks

Change

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

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then Wi-Fi.
    • To move between listed networks, tap a network name.
    • To change a network's settings, tap a network, then tap Settings Settings.
Add

You can add Wi-Fi networks that don't automatically show in your list.

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. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then Wi-Fi.
  3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
  4. At the bottom of the list, tap Add network.
  5. If needed, enter the network name (SSID) and security details.
  6. Tap Save.
Remove

If you don't want to automatically connect to a saved Wi-Fi network, you can "forget" that network.

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

To remove a Wi-Fi network from your phone:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then Wi-Fi.
  3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
  4. Touch and hold a saved network.
  5. Tap Forget network.

Advanced network settings

Proxy

A proxy is like a gate or tunnel between phones. For example, you could need to connect through a proxy when you connect to your work network from your home.

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

To connect to a Wi-Fi network via a proxy:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then Wi-Fi.
  3. Tap a network, then tap Settings Settings.
  4. At the top, tap Edit Edit.
  5. Next to "Advanced options," tap the Down arrow Down arrow.
  6. Under "Proxy," tap the Down arrow Down arrow. Pick the configuration type.
  7. If needed, enter the proxy settings.
  8. Tap Save.

Each Wi-Fi network needs proxy settings set up separately.

Automatic connections, Wi-Fi Direct, & more

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

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet and then Wi-Fi.
  3. At the bottom, tap Wi-Fi preferences.
  4. Tap an option. These vary by phone and Android version.
    • Turn on Wi-Fi automatically
      Have Wi-Fi automatically turn on near saved networks. Learn about saved networks (above).
    • Connect to open networks
      Automatically connect to high-quality open networks. Learn how to connect automatically.
    • Open network notification
      Get a notification when automatic connection to high-quality open networks isn't available.
    • Advanced
      • Install certificates
        Digital certificates can identify your phone. Learn about certificates.
      • Network rating provider
        See what service rates Wi-Fi networks for your phone.
      • Wi-Fi Direct
        Let your phone connect, without a network with other devices that can use Wi-Fi Direct.
      • If you're using an older version of Android, you can also choose from: 
        • WPS Push Button: Turn on Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) for a WPS-capable network.
        • WPS Pin Entry: Enter the Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) personal identification number (PIN).
Metered Wi-Fi

If your network has a data limit, you can set your Wi-Fi as metered. By setting a network as metered, you have more control over how much data your phone is using through downloads and other apps.

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

  1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi.
  2. Open your phone's Settings app.
  3. Tap Network & internet and then Wi-Fi.
  4. Tap the Wi-Fi network you're connected to.
  5. Tap Advanced and then Metered and then Treat as metered.

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