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. 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 to change common settings.

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 networks' strength & speed

Strength

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then Wi-Fi.
  3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
  4. You'll find the network's signal strength on the Wi-Fi icon Wi-Fi. A fuller icon means a stronger signal.

Speed

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network & internet And then Wi-Fi.
  3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
  4. You'll find the connection speed 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 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, share, or remove saved networks

Change a saved network

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 the network.
Add a network not shown on 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.

Share Wi-Fi info with a friend

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. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
  4. Tap a network And then Share.
  5. You’ll find a QR code on your phone. Your friend can scan the code to join the same network.
Remove saved networks

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. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
  4. Touch and hold a saved network.
  5. Tap Forget network.

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