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 to which you've connected 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 Wi-Fi.
  3. Turn on Use Wi-Fi.
  4. Tap a listed network. Networks that require a password have a lock 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 receive notifications for that network, clear the notification. Learn how to control notifications.
Compare networks' strength and speed

Strength

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

Speed

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

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